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[Qwerty3159]

Does you feed store say mixed grains / pigeon scratch? Your birds can eat this as the basic diet and mix in a few of the layer pellets. (don't forget to provide grit and minerals).

PS you coop design looks perfect.

I've checked the local Tractor Supply and other stores like that and they don't have anything for pigeons. A local small store sells small bags of what seems like mixed grains as "pigeon feed" but like I said the bags are very expensive, even more expensive than what a regular pet store might charge.
And thank you

I buy a pigeon seed mix in 50 pounds bags for $20 per bag. Small bags of pigeon/dove mix from the pet store is way too expensive.

Ok thanks, I'll have to keep looking around then and try to find some pigeon-specific feed.

 

[biophiliac]

I've checked the local Tractor Supply and other stores like that and they don't have anything for pigeons. A local small store sells small bags of what seems like mixed grains as "pigeon feed" but like I said the bags are very expensive, even more expensive than what a regular pet store might charge.
And thank you


Ok thanks, I'll have to keep looking around then and try to find some pigeon-specific feed.

What I did was google "pigeon feed mix, my town and state". The result showed a local feed mill not far from me - same county at least. After I bought the first bag from them, I noticed my local pet food warehouse carried some of their products but not the pigeon mix. They are able to order it for me at no extra delivery charge so its even more convenient. If your Tractor Supply carries bags of corn, sunflower seeds, wild bird mix, etc ask them if the supplier makes pigeon mix that you could special order.

 

[Qwerty3159]

I've been reading good things about Blue Seal's Pigeon feed and its not terribly expensive so I'll give the local store a few miles away which is a Blue Seal dealer a call.

 

[Qwerty3159]

My loft build is almost complete! I finished painting and attached the aviary and doors, now all I need is to install the perches and a proper roof. I left the side of the aviary that I intended to use for the trap empty and without hardware cloth until I decide how I'm going to make my trap.

http://currentdata.co/wp-content/uploads/2018/09/parkinson-187-8-5-09-pigeon-trap-door-design.jpg

I like this design a lot versus one with a larger opening because I have many predators in my area and would hate for a cat or something to be able to access my birds. My main question is if someone has a trap of similar design how wide is the space for the pigeons to walk through? if not, what is the minimum height and width of a "passageway" that the average homing pigeon could fit through?
My guess is something like 4 inches by 6 inches.

 

[CCUK]

My Bob wires are about 14"x7". It is a premade unit that I attached to the inside of the loft. Then I made a cage for the out side that the front drops down for access.

I made a removable partition for inside the loft so the entrance is only accessible to any birds that are outside flying. I have left it open over night a couple of times when birds don't return. If anything was to get in, it won't be able to access the main loft.

 

[jak2002003]

That is a really good idea about keeping predators out.

You loft is similar size an shape to my new one. I have inspiration from your photos to make some nest boxes now.

How many pigeons do you think you will keep in your coop?

 

[CCUK]

When I built it I only planned on 6-10. Pigeon math kind of took a hold and now I have 15! I'm maxed out with this loft. I'm thinking of building a bigger one next year to accommodate them better.

 

[Qwerty3159]

My plan is to get 8 to 10 birds but the loft itself can hold up to a dozen pretty comfortably.
I just saw a coopers hawk nail a red squirrel in the tree maybe 10 feet from my loft, he was the first hawk I've seen here in the years since the great horned owls moved in hopefully he's just passing through.