- Jun 9, 2012
- 274
- 5
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Hi,
I've just been thinking about keeping a couple of homing pigeons in my yard, and letting them free fly when I'm around (which is most of the time), but I have a few questions about them first, so I know if it is even possible. I feel some of these questions are a bit silly, but I don't know anything, really!
1. I was thinking of two pigeons. I'm not planning to breed them, I just want them to be tame as pets. Should I get two females, or a male and a female? (i heard somewhere that males fight?).
2. Will keeping a pair make them less tame/affectionate towards humans? And if I didn't keep a pair would they go off in search of mates, and join a wild flock of pigeons?!
3. Let's say I'm happy with two. How big should their house/shelter be? And their flight, how big should that be, bearing in mind that they will be flying about free range most of the day?
4. I've heard you can get special pigeon feed, or should I just make my own seed mix? Which is cheaper, and which is healthier?
5. How often should they have access to a bath and are perches or ledges/shelves better for roosting at night?
6. Should I keep them confined for about six weeks before letting them free range?
7. Will they be tame, and how do I get them to come back from free flight?
Sorry, I didn't realise there were going to be so many questions! I just kept thinking of more! If you can answer any of them that would be very helpful!
Thanks in advance,
Tanith
I've just been thinking about keeping a couple of homing pigeons in my yard, and letting them free fly when I'm around (which is most of the time), but I have a few questions about them first, so I know if it is even possible. I feel some of these questions are a bit silly, but I don't know anything, really!
1. I was thinking of two pigeons. I'm not planning to breed them, I just want them to be tame as pets. Should I get two females, or a male and a female? (i heard somewhere that males fight?).
2. Will keeping a pair make them less tame/affectionate towards humans? And if I didn't keep a pair would they go off in search of mates, and join a wild flock of pigeons?!
3. Let's say I'm happy with two. How big should their house/shelter be? And their flight, how big should that be, bearing in mind that they will be flying about free range most of the day?
4. I've heard you can get special pigeon feed, or should I just make my own seed mix? Which is cheaper, and which is healthier?
5. How often should they have access to a bath and are perches or ledges/shelves better for roosting at night?
6. Should I keep them confined for about six weeks before letting them free range?
7. Will they be tame, and how do I get them to come back from free flight?
Sorry, I didn't realise there were going to be so many questions! I just kept thinking of more! If you can answer any of them that would be very helpful!
Thanks in advance,
Tanith