HEELP! Runt Pigeons?!?! Need info Please!

[BluegrassSeramas]

Hello all.
In the process of Googling, but you guys are so much better for the real answers!

I have a friend that got a pair of Runts and is thinking about getting more so that he can sell unrelated birds.
He lives in town and I live on the farm, and he would like me to keep a pair for him if he provides food and supplies.
Here are my Q's--

They are pretty huge, do they really fly? Do they need an aviary or can they live in a big chicken tractor or huge rabbit hutch and be happy?

What do these things really sell for? I have seen pairs on Craigslist sell for 20, and then seen breeders' web pages with birds that are worth like 200 or more each and you have to buy 4 of them.

Are they hard to take care of? Any special requirements?

Do people usually sell eggs, or chicks or pairs?

What do they do in the winter? Cold tolerance?

Im just not sure if it is worth it, I want to help him if he can get started in pigeons, but I dont want them to take up all the time I have with my Zoo. I like to hang out with my birds and like to save precious minutes.
I try to learn everything I can about something before I get in it. With your help and the rest of the internet, I'll prolly be able to tell you where they originated, what % of protein they need and all about show runt type! Thanks BYC! You rock!

 

[ugly ducky]

I've had Runts in the past. Neat birds! No, they don't fly, at least mine never did...too fat. Same basic care as any pigeon, but they will need protection from predators, and a safe place at night, as mine never roosted. They just slept on the ground. Cold tolerance is good...at that time, I lived in Michigan, and they tolerated the winters quite well. We just kept them in our chicken coop, and they had fenced runs to go outside. Good luck if you decide to try them.

 

[NewHopePoultry]

I know with rolling pigeons, peolpe, only wanted pairs, or so it seemed. Every now and then someone would buy a baby, but usually not.
No one elver wanted to buy a egg and I dont see why they would, most breeds are good at hatching and raising their own young.
Birds from a well known breeder can be high, but usually they are only about $20 or so,depending on your area.

Runts care is just like any other pigeons care.
utility pigeons(runts,etc) do best in a pen,they need open floor space with low set [ercges and nest box.
As for flying, well they dont really. They are bred for meat, not for flying.

 

[nzpouter]

I have swiss mondain... they don't fly much, roof and floor.. that's about it.

 

[BluegrassSeramas]

Thanks!
I have been reading more about Pigeon care, but what do these things sell for on average? What would you consider reasonable for a pair?

I dont know if the pairs that he is getting are show quality, but since Im having a little trouble finding them, I was thinking that the demand for them in not so great in general.
And----that unless you were going to be full in it and show and hang out with pigeon breeders where the demand is, that getting two pairs and raising chicks may not be as profitable?

He's in this for the fun and the money, but I just want it to be worth his while, if he is going to keep pair all the way out here on the farm.

Thanks again!!

 

[Vcomb]

mine flew, though looking back i think they might have had some show king in them. but they were as big as my black mutant pheasants who shared the pen with them. one thing i did find was the males were pretty aggressive during mating season and more than once i had one lose an eye from fights.

 

[BluegrassSeramas]

Thanks!

 

[truecolorsloft]

We have five runts at the moment, three young birds, and two hand fed/raised babies. Ecpect these guys to get as big/bigger than a bantam chicken. Our young birds, will fly, only to get on their roosting spots, and not much else. Our hand raised black runt, flies around with our rollers at the moment, but each week, his flying distance shortens. I got my birds cheap, because both the breeders, were down sizing, and they happen to be great friends But around here, Runts go for 100$ plus. We're currently keeping them in the loft with out rollers. The only issue you'll find is that their size does make them bigger and stronger. So a "peck" from a runt feeld much stronger, and expect to see your "standard" sized pigeons thrown from a peck. Outside of that, they are great birds, and we love ours. Pics of our birds can be found on our site. Good luck with your Runts.

 

[greenfamilyfarms]

Scout out Eggbid and see if you can find a similar pair.

 

[Yizzy18]

I personally breed these pigeons. They are not hard to take care of at all. Most of them aren't good strong flyers, but if your'e lucky you might get a good runt flyer. They don't need much room so it should be very easy to take care of them. Any more questions? Just ask. Good luck