First loft, pigeons, and training! Advice?

[Tedster0219]

It doesn't matter if you are out there or not... if they are hungry and determined they don't care that you are there. I have actually personally been hit by a hungry hawk in the past. It was chasing a little tiny finch, and the finch flew between my legs and the hawk didn't stop, turn or anything and just hit me right in the back of the legs. Show/fancy pigeons are great if you only have 2. And don't worry about not flying them. If they have a nice sized aviary they will be perfectly happy because to be honest fancy pigeons for the most part don't even want to fly. They might take one lap around the loft, and then land and sit there as hawk bait.

What size aviary would you recommend for a fancy breed. They say that the classic old frills are decent fliers. Thank you for the reply.

 

[backyard pigeons]

They say no hutches, pigeon lofts, chicken coops, etc. I am not sure about the actual keeping of the pigeons. I thought it would be doable to keep a pair under the radar. Thank you for the input. I was very worried.

You can for sure keep it under the radar. I won't tell.

I will check and send you a PM of contacts if I have any in your area from the Portuguese Tumbler club of America. I'll do that tonight!

 

[Tedster0219]

You can for sure keep it under the radar. I won't tell.

I will check and send you a PM of contacts if I have any in your area from the Portuguese Tumbler club of America. I'll do that tonight!

Thank you so much. I can't wait to get my pigeons!!

 

[backyard pigeons]

What size aviary would you recommend for a fancy breed. They say that the classic old frills are decent fliers. Thank you for the reply.

I would do a 3 ft tall, 3 feet deep, and 3+ feet long. The longer the better, but for a breed like frills, or ports, that do fly a bit, theyll appreciate a little more. But it isn't necessary. Your coop is sounding very good!

 

[WVduckchick]

Welcome to the love of pigeons!

Mine "live" in what used to be a pen for one breed of my bantam chickens. Its 8' x 16', roof is 7'-8' high. The pen shares a fence with my ducks pen, which is covered with netting. I can close the duck pen, and allow the pigeons to fly into it, but still not be open to fly away. I have never let them free-fly because I'm not too sure what my cats would do (they never bother my ducks and chickens, but they do show some interest in the pigeons lol)

As you can see in this video, though they fly very well, they don't stay in the air very long. They prefer to fly and land, fly and land.

 

[Tedster0219]

I would do a 3 ft tall, 3 feet deep, and 3+ feet long. The longer the better, but for a breed like frills, or ports, that do fly a bit, theyll appreciate a little more. But it isn't necessary. Your coop is sounding very good!

Okay that sounds doable. I have a nice area laid out that will give three feet for the loft and up to four feet for the aviary.

 

[Tedster0219]

Welcome to the love of pigeons!

Mine "live" in what used to be a pen for one breed of my bantam chickens. Its 8' x 16', roof is 7'-8' high. The pen shares a fence with my ducks pen, which is covered with netting. I can close the duck pen, and allow the pigeons to fly into it, but still not be open to fly away. I have never let them free-fly because I'm not too sure what my cats would do (they never bother my ducks and chickens, but they do show some interest in the pigeons lol)

As you can see in this video, though they fly very well, they don't stay in the air very long. They prefer to fly and land, fly and land.

Wow that's a great setup and they are even more beautiful to me now. I really enjoy these guys. I contacted a Frill club and messaged someone to see if they could help me find a breeder. From there I will see what breed is nearby and for a good price. Speaking of which is there an average price for these birds?

 

[WVduckchick]

Wow that's a great setup and they are even more beautiful to me now. I really enjoy these guys. I contacted a Frill club and messaged someone to see if they could help me find a breeder. From there I will see what breed is nearby and for a good price. Speaking of which is there an average price for these birds?

Thanks!
I think I paid $25 each for my first pair, then I bought a few more for $20 each (older gentleman clearing out his loft). But if you look online, there aren’t many places that sell fancy type pigeons. Foy’s sells thes for $60-75 each! Plus shipping!!
Around me, I can usually find homing/roller pigeons for $10-20 each on Craigslist.
Also check your local FB groups, swaps, etc.

 

[Tedster0219]

Thanks!
I think I paid $25 each for my first pair, then I bought a few more for $20 each (older gentleman clearing out his loft). But if you look online, there aren’t many places that sell fancy type pigeons. Foy’s sells thes for $60-75 each! Plus shipping!!
Around me, I can usually find homing/roller pigeons for $10-20 each on Craigslist.
Also check your local FB groups, swaps, etc.

Okay thank you so much. I'll make sure to ask around.

 

[backyard pigeons]

Check your PM! I sent tons of Portuguese tumblers breeders. You are lucky, I've been looking for another pair for about a year, but no one close. And shipping is to much!I

Your "pm" is a private message. It is the little letter at the top of the screen.