Getting pigeons to return to coop

My husband was starting to raise some homing pigeons but he recently passed away. I try to let them out every afternoon but they won't go back in the coop until almost dark. I stay outside with them because of hawks. How can I get them to go back in the coop? They like to walk around the yard, fly a little bit and take baths. I don't want to have to stay outside so late. I know this sounds unusual but I am trying to take care of my husband's little flock.

First
Very sorry to hear of your family loss.

I keep pigeons also, but currently do not have any due to a predator raccoon entering my loft in the autumn. Sure do miss them. I will restart my pigeons this spring.
I also would let my pigeons free range fly, and they would go back into loft at dusk. Sometimes sooner. Here is a way to train them.
Let them out hungry. That would mean that you would have to, not have feed inside available all the time. After they fly around a while you would signal to them that it is dinner time.
Here is how you train them.
Start by feeding them inside loft and making a juggling sound with a coffee can filled with nails. ( About 20 so they make a racketing sound. ) Pigeons will associate the sound with food service. After a few days, let them out hungry ,,, Then about an hour later place food inside loft and shake the can, so the pigeons can hear sound. They will hear sound and rush back into loft. There are a number of You Tube videos that demonstrates just how its done. I can find them and post links to them If you would like.
Ask anything else you would like info about. I do know pigeons quite well. You can see some of these pix in my albums.
WISHING YOU THE BEST.

Thank you so much for this very clear info. I will begin to follow your plan right away. I will check out You Tube and see if I can find any demos as you suggested and I 'm going to look for your albums now.
Thank you again.

Good advise from above poster.

I only feed mine 2 X a day.. leaving the feeders in the coop until the birds start to loose interest in the feed as they get full... usually about 10 mins.

Have water in there all the time.

Every time they see me with their blue feeders they all come flying to eat.. I make a whistling sound as I go in and put the feeders on the ground.

Its a good idea to have a 'trap' so when the pigeons come in they can't get back out... like bob wires or a drop through door. Have you got on of those?

These are great.. because sometimes one of 2 birds may not come back in... So you can just shut the main door to keep the predators out and the last birds can come in on their own without you having to stand around waiting. This normally happens with the 'teenage' birds for a few days before they learn the routine.

Good luck with you birds.

Here is one link to You Tube. It pretty much gives the idea that the pigeons will go where you want them as long as they are hungry. Once you are viewing this one, then others are available to be viewed on the list alongside. This is only for you to learn better ways to handle your birds. Maybe you can apply some of these techniques for yourself.
Best of luck with your pets.

jak2002003 said:

Good advise from above poster.

I only feed mine 2 X a day.. leaving the feeders in the coop until the birds start to loose interest in the feed as they get full... usually about 10 mins.

Have water in there all the time.

Every time they see me with their blue feeders they all come flying to eat.. I make a whistling sound as I go in and put the feeders on the ground.

Its a good idea to have a 'trap' so when the pigeons come in they can't get back out... like bob wires or a drop through door.  Have you got on of those?

These are great.. because sometimes one of 2 birds may not come back in... So you can just shut the main door to keep the predators out and the last birds can come in on their own without you having to stand around waiting.  This normally happens with the 'teenage' birds for a few days before they learn the routine.

Good luck with you birds.

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H

No I don't have a trap door or anything like that. Our coop is rather primitive. Thank you for your help; I will try to figure out how to fix this.

Thanks once again. I'm checking out the link now. I did not find any good videos on my own.

previously I was subscribed as "magnolia lady".

bythesea said:

My husband was starting to raise some homing pigeons but he recently passed away. How can I get them to go back in the coop?

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cavemanrich said:

First

Very sorry to hear of your family loss. My sentiments also. Plus a good post by back yard buddy.

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I hand feed my homers shelled unsalted peanuts as a treat only. Some NOT ALL will fly to me once they notice me with their treat. Others will gather at my feet and wait for spillage from above (they are at the lower end of the pecking order). It takes about a month +or- to train your birds to do this in a perfect world.