Fantail pigeon question

[SterlingRanch]

I was given two fantail pigeons and two satinette pigeons from a breeder that didn't want them any longer. I told him I would give them a good home. I found the following 'rabbit hutch' for sale locally that some guy was using for a chicken coop. He's selling it because it's too small for his backyard hens. The thing is super clean and is just a bit weathered so I'm not worried about it coming from a disease infested craphole.

I know jack-nothing about pigeons and have no intention of breeding these guys.

My questions:
- will a fantail climb a ramp as shown in the linked product photo?

- is this big enough to house two fantails and two Satinettes? I believe both are bonded pairs. Can I even house two bonded pairs together?


http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0087BI9KW/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o00_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

 

[laughingdog]

It should probably be fine. If trouble, just have two perches for each bird. they can eat varied wild bird seed mixes n be great, scratch grains mixed in help especially in winter, and or chicken layer pellets mixed with other two doing best (cancels out extra calcium problem possiblity to kidneys). commercial wild dove mixes supposedly do not have all domestic breeds of pigeons (rock doves) need, but commercial racing pigeon feeds mostly do. pigeons eat a very varied diet in wild, unlike what most saying about them being only seed eaters. dash of apple cider vinegar mixed into each gallon of drinking water, will help keep healthy. grit is opton good to provide,as mine prefer: tiny gravel,sand,and crushed granite. sand, dry dirt good too, or diatmatious earth (also good to only deter/prevent parasites),aside from fresh water tray that are all good for bathing.

if decide to breed as small hobby for good fun, two dog bowls, holes drilled in bottoms, per pair in back corners, work best, and prevent many to most nesting troubles.

 

[loftkeeper]

no problem with stairs they will fly not walk to the top could replace stairs with platform pigeons are like people just have to see if they get along there will be some fighting make sure the door opening is not faceing north

 

[SterlingRanch]

How about keeping them with silkies? I have three silkies and possible three more in the future that will be living with them. So far the Satinettes and the Fantails I have are pretty docile. The only thing I've noticed is the Satinettes are very industrious. They keep trying to empty and drag their feed/water bowls into their box. I have no idea why they are doing this.

The silkies are getting a 12'x5' run with a coop included. Has a similar type of ramp I post above.

 

[loftkeeper]

not good to mix chickens and pigeons chickens will hurt pigeons fantails have a disadvantage with vision unable to see behind them well if you have too mix sats can fly good provide a platform for there feed and water off the ground silkies can not fly to high so three feet would work raised silkies before i wonder about the stairs always had them access thru a ground entrance

 

[loftkeeper]

the sats trying to build a nest

 

[jak2002003]

My questions:
- will a fantail climb a ramp as shown in the linked product photo?

Take out the ramp.. they will poop all over it and its will be hard to clean. But a platform on the doorway instead. They will just fly onto that to get in and out.

- is this big enough to house two fantails and two Satinettes? I believe both are bonded pairs. Can I even house two bonded pairs together?

Yes that is big enough.

The 2 pairs will fight if you don't give them each a separate nesting box and perch. Its good to put in several nesting boxes so they have a lot to choose from and this cuts down any squabbling.

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0087BI9KW/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o00_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

Tips...

Do not keep them with any chickens... the chickens will kill and eat the pigeons squabs.

Feed them a pigeon mix.. or wild bird seed.. and crushed unsalted peanuts are great to get them tame when you use them as treats.

When they start to nest.. feed them some chicken layer pellets for extra calcium for the eggs.

You can also keep a feeder full of chick crumbs in the coop when they are raising their squabs as its got good nutrition for them.. as well as the seeds.

When you have them for a few months and they are used to you.. you can enjoy letting them out to fly free. But never leave them to come and go as they please or predators will get them.

You can train them to go back in when you rattle the food tin.. then give them some peanuts as a reward.

 

[jak2002003]

Forgot to mention make sure there is a pot of pigeon grit. and crushed oyster shell in the coop at all times. They need this for extra minerals that are not found in seeds, and also it helps them grind up the seeds to digest them properly.

 

[SterlingRanch]

Oh, thanks for the info. I'm glad you me mentioned letting them out to fly now and then - I was wondering if that was even possible. I'll have to start conditioning them to the sound of a rattle can followed by treats!. I'm already working on taming them. The satinettes are little more skittish. The fantails seem to be curious with me already.

Makes sense the Satinettes are trying to build a nest. I'll have to get them a nice cozy little nest setup going. Not sure I want them raising any young as I don't need anymore birds or work around here - maybe a couple to replace themselves later on when they get up their in age. It already takes me an hour to wash feeders, feed and clean twice a day with all my quail and chickens. Plus I have parrots in the house and they are like having little three year olds running around requiring a ton of time.

I can't believe how beautiful the Satinettes are and that they guy just asked me to take them....

 

[loftkeeper]

satineettes are a marking you have oreintal frills and more than likely what they call classic frills that can raise there own young the modern show type can not go to the npausa,com website for the national pigeon club see what is pigeons this time of year people break up there pairs to keep from raiseing dureing cold weather theres a pigeon show in shawnee ok. along with the poultry show second saturday in dec.