ACK!!!! Pigeons!

[seminolewind]

I have 38? pet chickens. It's a happy coop. Last summer? 2 pigeons show up. Not unusual since I live in a huge pigeon area in Florida. They stay. They eat. They drink. No big deal. Then I hear peeping. I have a trash bag hanging on the wall in the coop. There's 2 chicks in there. Pigeon chicks. They're huge and their pin feathers are just starting to open. Mom feeds them.

Well, I did alot of reading and found out that banded pigeons have owners! So I go to the pigeon store here, and explain all this and the lady tells me no matter where they go they will always come back to my house. Even if the owner takes them. I'm giving her the band numbers tomorrow. She said the babies can't be banded cause they're too old.

So am I out of luck finding them a nice pigeon home? And babies with no bands?

Help!

 

[NYboy]

What breed are they? some breeds can be rehomed

 

[seminolewind]

They are just common racing pigeons like in the area. Gray, one has sortof design. Both have red legs and white above the beak. They both wear red bands.

 

[larrylofts]

Spring Hill Has A Very Large Raceing Homer Club If The Birds Are Banded You Could Contact A Member And See If The Bands Come From Them . The Babies Are Just The Same If Banded Or Not. Try A Feed Store About Pigeons Clubs In Your Area

 

[seminolewind]

Yes, Larry this is a big pigeon area. The feed/pet store is the "meeting place" for the pigeon people. They will take the numbers and tell the owners. However, it's sad to think that if he did want them back, they would go to prison. I wonder if he might want the chicks. I don't think they know where they live yet!

 

[Mary Of Exeter]

Just because they can't fly them, doesn't mean they can't keep them as breeders ("prisoners"). The babies can be flown from their new home though, just not raced since they are way too old to band with seamless bands. If the owner doesn't want them, then let me know and I will try to help you find a home for them

Ask the breeder for some info on those birds. I may want them

 

[seminolewind]

Thanks, Mary. I'll let you know. I got to take the band numbers over to the pigeon store.

 

[Lofty Dreams]

I heard about some people strching the bands to put on older squabs

 

[seminolewind]

Here's a few pics of the pigeons that moved in, and babies

Anyone know what type? Or age? They're still bald under the wings
Do they grow into that big beak?

 

[shelleyd2008]

I'd say the babies are probably 10-14 days old. They have a big beak when they hatch...baby pigeons are pretty ugly that way