Banded Pigeon Found - Assistance Please

[biophiliac]

Thanks again all! At some point we'd like to revisit pigeon nutrition. What feeds do you use? Do you supplement with greens and other "treats"? How much do you feed? Pal was so skinny when he arrived that we've just had him eating free choice, but should we move to meal times? Is there a good pigeon care book you recommend?

Thanks again in advance!

They like some greens - you can offer a leaf of romaine lettuce. Mine liked that but now that they fly free they like to select their own greens. If you have some pesticide free weeds you can pull up a bunch and let him pick thru.
I now use 50# bags of a pigeon mix that I source locally. The first bag I got from Foys...
https://www.foyspigeonsupplies.com/pigeon-grit-feed-grains/1757-standard-mix-with-corn-50-lbs
I think Pal would like this one. The cost of shipping is kinda high. Try googling 'pigeon feed mix, your town and state' andd see if there's a local mill. Once I found a nearby mill it was possible to have it ordered thru my local pet food warehouse.And only costs about $20 per bag- no shipping costs.

You can either free feed or establish meal times. They are picky eaters if you let them leave the least favored items, so make him eat most all of it before adding more. Having mealtimes is more important if you are free flying and training them to trap in to a food call.
Hope this helps.

 

[biophiliac]

The pigeon care book idk... I did all my research online.

https://www.backyardchickens.com/articles/basic-pigeon-care-feeding-and-housing.68171/

http://www.angelfire.com/ca7/pigeonloft/oddsends.html

 

[Fields Mountain Farm]

Thank you so much! We put in a DIY shelf with a "nesting box" and store bought nest on top. We're seeing how that goes. We bought a corner perch, which should arrive tomorrow. Here's the current set-up. We left the cardboard box and plastic "nest" because it is what he was used to. The other end of the flight cage has a water bath, Pal's food and water, and a brick.

View attachment 1539205

Well done!

 

[Kusanar]

Also, they tend to poop out of the side of the cage.... so, anywhere he will likely be hanging out above floor level you might want to protect... I have pigeon poop on one of my walls....

 

[Miss Lydia]

Is Pal male or female has that been determined yet? Love that cage he has his/ her own mansion

 

[biophiliac]

Also, they tend to poop out of the side of the cage.... so, anywhere he will likely be hanging out above floor level you might want to protect... I have pigeon poop on one of my walls....

Excellent point! So true - @LamarshFish calls them 'poop ninjas'.
I don't have this issue in my outdoor loft.

 

[biophiliac]

@Kusanar - you have an indoor bird, chime in with any other thoughts/suggestions. Do you just have the one?

 

[JudysMuscovy]

View attachment 1532378
Looking Stronger!

What a beautiful pigeon

 

[Kusanar]

@Kusanar - you have an indoor bird, chime in with any other thoughts/suggestions. Do you just have the one?

Yeah, I do, but his fluffy butt is going to be kicked outside soon. Had to put him in a solid sided container to keep the poop and feed flinging from happening but the room he is in is still covered in a layer of dust and smells like a pigeon... Doesn't smell BAD, but it is a distinctive smell. I'm going to get him a tractor supply 2 chicken coup and slightly modify for him, once he's outside I will see about getting him a buddy, though at this point he may not want the company, he was about a month old when he came in the house and he's been alone for almost a year...

 

[Miss Lydia]

What are male and female pigeons called? And do they have distinct voices like other birds so you can tell the difference. Don’t think I’ve ever seen one with a curled feather on his tail.