Hello! I am wondering on starting in a few pigeons. I have lots of animal experience and have been doin a little research so tell me if i am off on anything
Pigeons pretty much pair up for life. I will need to go by how many pair of birds.
Is there any suggested space per pair? I havent come across that yet.
The pigeons can do well with a chicken layer / grain mix. If i get some layer and do like 50% wild bird seed, 45% layer, 5% cage bird seed? I see so much variety in feeding that i was unsure. Is there a "best" protien % etc to aim for? I havent seen pigeon specific feed and dont want to spend tons on feed. I am wondering if i could even get to feeding them alot of food scraps and farm grown stuff and not need to buy much.
I know they need grit for digestion. And chicken feeders and waterers seem to be commonplace.
There is a local guy i know (at least i know he was a few yrs ago for sure) that had doves and pigeons and all and i have seen em at auctions.
I havent gotten there yet on breeds and sexing. Kinda hope for simple color sexing but i admit i am a sucker for color variety. Links appreciated.
I have a bunch of stuff already. I am wondering if some would be suitable to use if i decide to go into this project.
I think i would want to start with one or two pairs. Sell/eat the eggs. Sell/eat started birds raised from my pair(s).
I have cages i made that now sit empty. Three. Each are about 30 inch deep, 5 foot long, 24 inch tall. Floor wire is 1/2 by 1 inch. Sides and top are 1 by 1 inch. If i made one (or all) into a sort of hutch and fly pen would that be good housing?
Probably start with the two cages, one into an "inside" section with walls and roof, feeder, waterer, nests. And the second one attached and open (or roofed??) as the fly pen. That would make about 30 inch wide x 10 ft long x 2ft tall. Good for a pair or two and some young birds?
Thanks!
Pigeons pretty much pair up for life. I will need to go by how many pair of birds.
Is there any suggested space per pair? I havent come across that yet.
The pigeons can do well with a chicken layer / grain mix. If i get some layer and do like 50% wild bird seed, 45% layer, 5% cage bird seed? I see so much variety in feeding that i was unsure. Is there a "best" protien % etc to aim for? I havent seen pigeon specific feed and dont want to spend tons on feed. I am wondering if i could even get to feeding them alot of food scraps and farm grown stuff and not need to buy much.
I know they need grit for digestion. And chicken feeders and waterers seem to be commonplace.
There is a local guy i know (at least i know he was a few yrs ago for sure) that had doves and pigeons and all and i have seen em at auctions.
I havent gotten there yet on breeds and sexing. Kinda hope for simple color sexing but i admit i am a sucker for color variety. Links appreciated.
I have a bunch of stuff already. I am wondering if some would be suitable to use if i decide to go into this project.
I think i would want to start with one or two pairs. Sell/eat the eggs. Sell/eat started birds raised from my pair(s).
I have cages i made that now sit empty. Three. Each are about 30 inch deep, 5 foot long, 24 inch tall. Floor wire is 1/2 by 1 inch. Sides and top are 1 by 1 inch. If i made one (or all) into a sort of hutch and fly pen would that be good housing?
Probably start with the two cages, one into an "inside" section with walls and roof, feeder, waterer, nests. And the second one attached and open (or roofed??) as the fly pen. That would make about 30 inch wide x 10 ft long x 2ft tall. Good for a pair or two and some young birds?
Thanks!