Darno Posted July 13, 2013 Report Share Posted July 13, 2013 Hi Have got a couple of fields of winter barley, the farmer say it will be harvested in the next 3 weeks so I can shoot on the stubbles if there are any pigeon about, But i was was wondering if pigeons might start on it before its harvested, the grain is still quite soft and if you squeeze it then white milky liquid comes out ( no comments please) Does it need to be "layed" before they might take an interest? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Catamong Posted July 13, 2013 Report Share Posted July 13, 2013 Yes it does generally need to be "layed", not that likely considering the balmy hot weather we're currently experiencing, you need a good wet storm to "lay" the barley. The birds don't tend to stay on barley stubbles, they prefer wheat and will move on to laid wheat as soon as they can. In my area most early cut barley stubbles are ripped up virtually straight away and re drilled with Winter Rape, so get in while you can...!! Cat. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cranfield Posted July 14, 2013 Report Share Posted July 14, 2013 I have been shooting barley steadily for the last few weeks, mainly rooks and jackdaws, but where they have taken the crop down, the pigeons are also flooding in. The grain is still milky and thats how they like it. As Cat says, barley stubbles don't shoot as well as wheat stubbles, unless you have a lot of ducks in your area, they love barley stubbles. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Essex Hunter Posted July 14, 2013 Report Share Posted July 14, 2013 Apart from 135 mixed black stuff one time I have found barley not so produtive as wheat. Laid wheat and barley can make good shooting but you need high winds and heavy rain to push it over, and we have had both, but not at the same time... I will be looking for the wheat left as the big machine ruts from the wet spring will cause some wheat to be run over and left, making easy pickings.... TEH Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Darno Posted July 14, 2013 Author Report Share Posted July 14, 2013 Ok, thanks guys, I will keep a close eye on it in the off chance that I get a few on it! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
motty Posted July 14, 2013 Report Share Posted July 14, 2013 I have been shooting barley steadily for the last few weeks, mainly rooks and jackdaws, but where they have taken the crop down, the pigeons are also flooding in. The grain is still milky and thats how they like it. As Cat says, barley stubbles don't shoot as well as wheat stubbles, unless you have a lot of ducks in your area, they love barley stubbles. They can if there's plenty of food on them and they're left as stubble long enough. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JDog Posted July 14, 2013 Report Share Posted July 14, 2013 It may be peculiar to my part of the country but the pigeons always prefer barley stubble to wheat stubble. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lakeside1000 Posted July 14, 2013 Report Share Posted July 14, 2013 Ive been on the barley for the last two weeks, along the edges of the field they are landing onto the long stems and forcing it down where they can strip the heads off, they have already stripped about a meter into the field, I shall be there again tomorrow to give them a fright or two, they are still on the sugar beet as well but are beginning to move away as the plants get bigger and the leaves get tougher. some farms have already harvested the peas around norfolk and there are a few on the green stuff left behind, I think if you pick the right spot there are always a few birds to be had, good luck, Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Darno Posted July 14, 2013 Author Report Share Posted July 14, 2013 Cool, that's given me a bit if confidence, will keep checking Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
carpentermark Posted July 14, 2013 Report Share Posted July 14, 2013 (edited) my best ever day was on laid barley last year, 106! ill never forget it! Edited July 14, 2013 by carpentermark Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Darno Posted July 15, 2013 Author Report Share Posted July 15, 2013 I have looked at the long range weather and here in the southwest it doesn't look like its gonna rain ever again......:-) So the chances of it getting layed are slim I think. But as I say I will keep my eye on it! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JDog Posted July 15, 2013 Report Share Posted July 15, 2013 I have looked at the long range weather and here in the southwest it doesn't look like its gonna rain ever again......:-) So the chances of it getting layed are slim I think. But as I say I will keep my eye on it! Most men think that the chances of getting laid are slim. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gunneravi Posted July 20, 2013 Report Share Posted July 20, 2013 Laid barley will produce, need either a good storm or gale. Not looking likely though :( Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
THE MEK Posted July 21, 2013 Report Share Posted July 21, 2013 Thunderstorms forecast for tomorrow in some parts of southern england moving north so may get some laid patches Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
caeser Posted July 22, 2013 Report Share Posted July 22, 2013 I agree thunderstorms are forecast, but I don't think that there's much wind forecast, so I don't suppose we'll get much laid wheat and barley from that. I hope I'm wrong. (You can tell I'm not a farmer,with a comment like the last one I just made. ) I've got to say I have had some great days on laid wheat and barley. But as has been said, they appear this year to be trimming the edges of the crop next to hedges etc. I'm looking forward to the harvest so that I can drive across the stubble to where I want to decoy, rather than struggling along overgrown edges with half a ton of equipment. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kyska Posted July 22, 2013 Report Share Posted July 22, 2013 I agree thunderstorms are forecast, but I don't think that there's much wind forecast, so I don't suppose we'll get much laid wheat and barley from that. I hope I'm wrong. (You can tell I'm not a farmer,with a comment like the last one I just made. ) I've got to say I have had some great days on laid wheat and barley. But as has been said, they appear this year to be trimming the edges of the crop next to hedges etc. I'm looking forward to the harvest so that I can drive across the stubble to where I want to decoy, rather than struggling along overgrown edges with half a ton of equipment. I also long for that. Although the shooting is good over laid crops, its not good for our yields.... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dcliff Posted July 23, 2013 Report Share Posted July 23, 2013 Lots of birds will get on it early if they can. Just watch the field and see if anything is flying in and out, you'll soon find out. I did this the other day. I saw about 1000 birds (rooks and pigeons) diving onto some barley. I walked the field to find a huge bare patch in the middle. It was bare due to a poor crop on that patch. The birds had striped the edges like a plague of locusts! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lakeside1000 Posted July 23, 2013 Report Share Posted July 23, 2013 Ive just driven back from Gt Yarmouth up the coast to Bacton, the farmers have started harvesting the barley already, pigeons all over it, so don't get caught out, check with your permission on a regular basis , Im up the farm tomorrow just to check it out, cant wait to get on the stubble, its been a bit quite the last 2 or 3 time out, just picking up the odd bird flying over as they wouldn't decoy in.should start to get busy from now on, fingers crossed. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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