Anyone that is thinking of trying this family out, I have this one word to say.

 

PATIENCE!!!

 

I don't think that this family is for everyone.  Like any other family of birds it all depends on your flying conditions and management style.

 

If you are used to having birds come into the roll at 3 to 6 months and competing with them in the first year, these might not be for you.

 

If you are not able to fly birds out in their second year, these might not be for you.

 

If you have to lock down because of BOP's or weather for very long periods, these might not be for you.

 

These birds need a quite a lot of flying time to see the potential that they posses.  Flying them out till at least 18 months old is the norm for this family.

 

These birds do not fly high, they are a naturally low flying family.  The birds I have will usually fly between 100' to 250'.

 

The kit sensitivity and teamwork in these birds are unlike anything I have seen.  When these birds break, the kit will usually slow down to let the deeper birds catch up to the kit.  I have also seen the kit circle around to pick up the stragglers.  These birds will set up for the break, either by swooping or tightening up before breaking which helps to create the double digit breaks.

 

  Don't believe what everyone is saying that these birds are "tumblers'.  These birds can spin with the best of them and with very nice depth.  Like any other family of birds, you get your share of culls.  It's up to the fancier to sort thru the rubbish to find the gems.

 

I have seen glimpses of the awesome team performance that this family is noted for and what I have seen just makes me want to work with the birds that much harder.  I can see how Heine Bijker has won the World Championship 4 times with these birds.  I still have a lot to learn regarding the management of these birds, but that challenge is what makes this hobby fun.