How many pigeons can I have in this "loft".

[pringle]

Hey,Im going to be getting pigeons in the spring time but am wondering how many I can out in this loft.Its basically a weird sandbox that the people left when we moved here.Its all made out of wood,has a roof and all we need to do is add some plywood walls a couple of windows and a door and were good.I was going to use a rabbit hutch but I have to put the quail in it for the summer time so they dont stink up the house.The "sandbox"is about 5x5 and maybe 6 ft high at the tip .I would really like a couple pairs of pigeons that I can let out an hour before dark to fly around and watch them but to also raise for meat so im thinking a big breed of homers?I guess pigeon raising is in my blood becouse my dads side of the family is all polish (my dad came from poland) and they have always raised poultry and animals including pigeons.When I went there a while ago I got to see the big loft and everything.And now im really intrested in it.

 

[Mary Of Exeter]

The rule of thumb is 1 square foot per bird. But the most important thing is that all of your birds have a perch, and there are enough nest boxes for the pairs.

 

[pringle]

Oh ok thanks!So I could have up to 8 pairs of birds in there but I think ill stick with 3 or 4.Ill have 2 big roosts near the top and a couple smaller ones coming off the walls.Is using milk crates ok for nesting boxes?Can I put them on the ground?I think I will put a bowl in each one for raising the chicks in.I plan on letting them outside a couple hours before dark so that they can get exercise.Is this enough time?The only reason im doing this is to limit the danger of them getting caught by a hawk.When I get the young pair of homers I want should I just have them in there loft for maybe 3 weeks and then they will know that that is there loft?Thanks for all the help!

 

[Mary Of Exeter]

Milk crates are okay to use

They prefer them elevated, rather than on the floor. Yes, a couple hours is enough time, and yes, keep them in for 3-4 weeks before releasing. Make sure you get them trained to a feed call and trap trained if you can.

 

[pringle]

Sorry but whats trapped training?

 

[Mary Of Exeter]

Teaching them to learn how to go through the trap door, and to get comfortable with it

 

[First To Hatch]

I'd go with 2 square feet per bird...1.5 at least but thats pushing it! For squabbing pigeons that are producing a pair of young birds a month they need to be healthy and over crowding isn't going to help, so the more space the better but at least 2 square feet per bird seems fair... A nice number of birds I'd say is for that area 6-8 birds? 6 birds would be best because with 3 pairs you can get 6 birds for meat a month, if you really need 8 birds a month to eat then 4 pairs. As far as squabbing pigeons that you can let out and fly I haven't heard of any.. I heard that the giant homers have been bred for size for so long that they can't really fly. If you want meat go with Texan Pioneers, Runts, Utility Kings, or Modenas. If you want something to look pretty while flying then rollers or homers.


Just my tid bit of information and 0.02,

Shokri

 

[Mary Of Exeter]

I agree, the more room the better.

 

[Sir Birdaholic]

Quote:

Stick with 3 or 4 pair. Before you know it, you'll have 8 pair.

Fertile little buggars!

 

[Lofty Dreams]

last time I used crates one of my birds broke his leg