Banded Pigeon Found - Assistance Please

[biophiliac]

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...

pigeons don't have a preen gland, instead they produce a tremendous amount of powder in their feathers.

 

[3bird]

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.

Thanks! We have ducks that free range, so no pesticides or herbicides! I'll get Pal a smorgasbord of offerings. I remember seeing a list here of what they should not eat.

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.

I'll give that a shot. I know there was an article in a paper a few years ago talking about how pigeon racing was way down in Maine. We've been using the Hagen Pigeon Mix at present. Pal picks through it.

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.

If we feed free choice, how long should we leave uneaten feed in his bowl? We've been dumping any leftover every 24 hours and then trying to scale back how much we put in Pal's bowl the next time so there is less waste. Maybe we should be leaving uneaten food a little longer (as long as it's not wet)?

Thanks again for the help! Pal appreciates it very much!

 

[3bird]

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

People that know pigeons a lot better than we do have guessed Pal is a young male.

 

[3bird]

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

lol! Poop Ninja Pal!

 

[3bird]

Pal's Flight Suit arrived from Avian Fashions today!

Tell us about "cuddle time". Pal is out for many hours a day in the studio, and he gets periodic treats and scratches, but wouldn't call it cuddling. Should we be doing more full fledged cuddling of Pal?

 

[biophiliac]

we feed free choice, how long should we leave uneaten feed in his bowl? We've been dumping any leftover every 24 hours and then trying to scale back how much we put in Pal's bowl the next time so there is less waste. Maybe we should be leaving uneaten food a little longe

That is what I do...try to give an amount that is right for 24 hours. Some use a bigger feeder and leave it for more days. I don't make them eat every last grain(although they do sometimes) , I'll allow they might encounter a stale or unpalatable one occasionally. I take the leftovers outside where a rabbit and chipmunk come for them.

 

[biophiliac]

View attachment 1539948
Pal's Flight Suit arrived from Avian Fashions today!
View attachment 1539956
Tell us about "cuddle time". Pal is out for many hours a day in the studio, and he gets periodic treats and scratches, but wouldn't call it cuddling. Should we be doing more full fledged cuddling of Pal?

Oh my! That is cute. Pal looks skeptical.** Racing homers are not noted cuddlers. You should learn to hold him properly for when you need to handle him. I'll try to find you a vid later if you need one. But otherwise his preference is to interact with you on his own terms. He may land on you and invite scratches but doesn't want to be picked up. That said, birds are individuals and with Pal ymmv, your mileage may vary. He seems like he must have been used to proper handling in his previous life just by how calm he is with you.

**Pal has obviously noticed this new item...maybe try to create a positive association using his favorite treat - corn. Put a kernal on it he can see then fold a corner over to hide it, see if he grabs it. I'm just curious.

 

[biophiliac]

Does the tail come thru the round hole?

 

[3bird]

Does the tail come thru the round hole?

Yes.

 

[3bird]

Pal getting a little exercise in the studio.