Hi. New to doves with one about to hatch

[appps]

[COLOR=FF0000]I dovecote might be ideal for your housing situation. Hand feeding shelled unsalted peanuts as a treat only is the best way I have encountered to keep pigeons tame and you inviting to them. Most birds do not like to be picked up or handled I find in my flock anyway.[/COLOR]

So they don't end up hand tame like cockatiels etc?

 

[caesargirl]

Mine are hand tame. For Storm, Chaos, and Epic all live inside my home and fly around my house throughout the day. Chaos will actively seek me out when they're inside! Also, to put one of my dogs on his trolley, I walk through their room where their cage is and handle them. Even if it's just to scratch between their shoulders. Interaction is key.

 

[laughingdog]

I had white homers and rollers that tamed great from me feeding petting n having perch on me etc. Best time to wean is when they're feathered in under wings. Racers put young on ground at few weeks n let males feed etc, then they take young away to kit box or other young bird loft when they feather in under wings. When the young are put on loft floor, they're most likely to go for food n water there when their and other parents come down seen eating n drinking, as the young mob parents, parents on purpose and accidentally drop food n water repeatedly, teaching young much like chickens. One of good points to solid floor for them vs wire (mine on wire wean later).
If your young are on ground, then they'll wean sooner, but naturally works good too.

 

[Hokum Coco]

So they don't end up hand tame like cockatiels etc?

No experience with cockatiels. If they like to be pick up and handle that is NOT what my pigeons like as a rule. My homing pigeons will fly to me for treats but do not like to be petted or handled YET. They are all under one year old I must add. There are always one or two exceptions. Fantails are an ornamental bird and are not as aloof as homers however. I would guess you will have better success.

 

[nchls school]

So they don't end up hand tame like cockatiels etc?

I raised and hand fed both pigeons and cockatiels; for many years. A tame pigeon is nice, but they in no way compare to a tame cockatiel.

 

[laughingdog]

Most pigeons are not as acrobatic as most hookbills are. I have had rollers and hookbills both who loved petting etc, belly rubs when on back, and hanging on or climbing fingers n hanging upside down.

 

[appps]

Okay Another question for you guys, I'm curious as young Maddox is turning out to be this lovely pale silver grey color how like the final colour these first feathers usually are? Is it likely he is just going to eventually molt a different color? Both the parents are darker than he is now (though the previous male was lighter but that had to be 8 weeks pre eggs)

Took some photos today as I had to cart him round with me while I found some dry newspaper for under his hay because he kept climbing out of the temporary nest I usually put him in . Will upload them in a sec.

 

[appps]

Mr Maddox, 16 days old

 

[Majd]

Beautiful!!! He's grown so much!

 

[caesargirl]

He's wonderful!!!?