Adopted Homers... will they stay?

[BecKub]

So I acquired 4 homers recently. I'm not sure how old they are, but they showed up at my work one day (state park). Apparently a lady was training her dog with them and they never went home. They just stayed right by our office.

I have a pointing dog in training and I decided to keep the birds to use ourselves (the lady never came back for them). We acquired a coop and we're all set for starting our flock!

I'm wondering how long they'll need to be in their coop before releasing them. Since they didn't fly home the last time they were released apparently... I'm wondering what the deal is with them. I'd hate for them to fly back to their original home, but I don't know if there's a way of avoiding it. But why didn't they fly home when the lady released them at the park? I know very little about them and just looking for more information.

Thanks in advance!

 

[Hokum Coco]

I'm wondering how long they'll need to be in their coop before releasing them.

They look like very young birds there is an absence of the white cere that to me suggest they may be still making the squeaker vocalization and may just starting to develop there mature coo. They seem to have poor homing instincts regardless at this juncture for what ever reason.

I am going to say a month in their loft should do it.

Set up a bob system and get the pigeons acquainted with walking through it so they can reenter the coop. if it doubles as an aviary or cage it is a plus. Put your birds in a cage outside so they can look around and survey the area during that time. Release one at a time hungry (suspend food for at least 12 hours)

 

[Hokum Coco]

I'm wondering how long they'll need to be in their coop before releasing them.

They look like very young birds there is an absence of the white cere that to me suggest they may be still making the squeaker vocalization and may just starting to develop there mature coo. They seem to have poor homing instincts regardless so at this juncture.

I am going to say a month in their loft should do it.

Set up a bob system and get the pigeons acquainted with walking through it so they can reenter the coop. if it doubles as an aviary or cage it is a plus. Put your birds in a cage outside so they can look around and survey the area during that time. Release one at a time hungry (suspend food for at least 12 hours)

View attachment 1123793

 

[BecKub]

Ok thank you!! We have a large coop now with a "door" and an aviary. The bob system I thinking you're talking about doesn't have an aviary attached though.

How do I get them used to going into the coop through the small metal bars?

Thank you!!

 

[Hokum Coco]

How do I get them used to going into the coop through the small metal bars?

I suggest you use a bit of ingenuity to attach a box or some sort of container to the outside of your loft to temporarily house them in until they get used to walking through the bars to gain access.

 

[BecKub]

Ok, We can do that I'm sure. They would be able to go in, but couldn't come out through that opening. Should we just periodically take them out and let them go in so they get used to it then? I apologize for my lack of knowledge. I really appreciate your help!!

 

[biophiliac]

Ok thank you!! We have a large coop now with a "door" and an aviary. The bob system I thinking you're talking about doesn't have an aviary attached though.

How do I get them used to going into the coop through the small metal bars?

Thank you!!

This video may help

 

[biophiliac]

Ok, We can do that I'm sure. They would be able to go in, but couldn't come out through that opening. Should we just periodically take them out and let them go in so they get used to it then? I apologize for my lack of knowledge. I really appreciate your help!![/QUOte

Yes.

 

[BecKub]

Oh wow that's fancy! I think we can probably rig something up. We've got some chicken wire left over

 

[biophiliac]

Oh wow that's fancy! I think we can probably rig something up. We've got some chicken wire left over

Doesn't have to be that fancy. I forgot to say before, those are some very pretty birds with grizzle markings and the red one too!!.