feral pigeons

[the Pollo Loco]

does anyone fly domesticated feral pigeons? what are the pros/cons?

 

[Okla-doodle-doo]

They were the first pigeons I started out with. There is nothing wrong with raising them. They are very hardy,and can produce all the colors the others do. They are great for beginners and kids to start out with. I enjoyed mine as much as I do my purebreds now. I still watch for wild ones when I go thru a new town. Always nice to see large flocks in some towns.

 

[Mary Of Exeter]

There aren't any cons unless you get sickly birds. I have a feral hen in my old bird loft that I train with my racers.

 

[cochinGurl]

i love feral pigeons! people say they all look the same, but i find them all very unique.

 

[the Pollo Loco]

Thanks for the input... I picked up a couple, they are feeding themselves now. One I am able to toss in the air and of course it comes back right away cause I do it at feeding time

 

[sourland]

I started with ferals and have always enjoyed the feral birds. One thing to consider is that many "wild" pigeons carry a virulent form of canker to which they are resistant. When introduced to a "tame" flock this disease can decimate them.

 

[laughingdog]

Quote:
i have just been given a feral about 20 day old pigeon, that the owner of a local shop gave me as friend for my "racer", though wondering if it could give mine anything, though seems perfectly healthy with the food given and a bath, to wash stink off. only sign it might be sick is tiny white fly looking eggs maybe, in its poop on occasion. the contrast to my other pigeons is like the others, especially the one squeaker, are hawks, compared to its adorable squat dumpy and rounded short body. hehehe its so cute, i cant imagine itll even be able to get off the ground with its wings, tail, and legs less than half length of my others. cant wait to watch it try to keep up in air, or itll be homr body and not leave for the whole day when get out (i hear alot of how short most performer flights are..). im curious if the ferals home and fly as good as homers though, as they must be able to keep up if they come home so much with people's pigeons? i see were breeds inter breed with ferals, does anyone ever notice this or offspring that seem hardy and show abilities of type of pigeon bred with?

 

[Mary Of Exeter]

Quote:
I'm guessing you are referring to pox. They make vaccines for that. And of course once they get it, they are resistant from then on, like our "chicken pox". Wild birds can carry a lot of stuff that doesn't bother them, as well as domestic birds.


Ferals can fly as well as homers. The homing ability may not be as sharp. It varies with each feral. Afterall, they are mostly homer blood anyway as they are not native to North America. That is why they are called ferals, because they are descendants of lost domestic birds.

 

[Ksane]

I've got 2 Doves and would dearly love to have a baby 'feral colored' Pigeon. I'm more than willing to handraise one. You guys are lucky, I can't find any youngsters tame enough.

 

[sourland]

Quote:
I'm guessing you are referring to pox. They make vaccines for that. And of course once they get it, they are resistant from then on, like our "chicken pox". Wild birds can carry a lot of stuff that doesn't bother them, as well as domestic birds.


Ferals can fly as well as homers. The homing ability may not be as sharp. It varies with each feral. Afterall, they are mostly homer blood anyway as they are not native to North America. That is why they are called ferals, because they are descendants of lost domestic birds.

No, the reference that read was to canker, but I can not remember where I read this information.

I do remember that it seemed to be a credible source.