How to home pigeons.

[Brianlee543]

When I say a few weeks, I mean atleast a month

Edit: looking at the pictures, I would say to not fly the ones that resemble homers. They likely will go back to their old loft. I'm not sure which are your three, because their are more birds pictured than three.

Which ones would you say look like homers?

 

[nchls school]

That’s not good, I’ve always had my hens and even quail free range and never had a hawk problem.

What kind of quail and hens do you have? I sold off most of the birds I had earlier this year (health issues) but kept the serama bantams, long tail chickens, and a trio of mini turkeys. The hawks are a pain, but actually cause little loss. The flock keeps an eye to the sky and run for the coop or under trees and the deck at the first sign of something in the sky bigger than a robin. As another has mentioned feral cats and neighbor dogs cause more damage and are more of a concern; along with other night-time predators. I wish all my birds could be free-ranged, but... As it is the turkeys and the long tails are free during the day.

 

[backyard pigeons]

They are all mine, but three of them are from an animal rescue and have come in injured. Thank you very much for the advise.

oh, I see. You are very welcome! glad I can help.

Which ones would you say look like homers?

the ones without extra feathering... the almost solid white one someone is holding, and the other white and brown one to me look kinda look like homers.

 

[Brianlee543]

What kind of quail and hens do you have? I sold off most of the birds I had earlier this year (health issues) but kept the serama bantams, long tail chickens, and a trio of mini turkeys. The hawks are a pain, but actually cause little loss. The flock keeps an eye to the sky and run for the coop or under trees and the deck at the first sign of something in the sky bigger than a robin. As another has mentioned feral cats and neighbor dogs cause more damage and are more of a concern; along with other night-time predators. I wish all my birds could be free-ranged, but... As it is the turkeys and the long tails are free during the day.

I have some silkies and some tiny black bantams, and then some layers, and I have cotirnix quail, I didn’t think I could have them free range, but it’s working fine so far.

 

[nchls school]

With all our predators I found keeping cortunix in cages a challenge. Snakes too... I finally gave up on the quail. No matter how the cages for quail were reinforced SOMETHING found a way in. A determined predator is hard to keep out. Opossums, raccoons, cats, dogs, hawks, owls, snakes... it's surprising that any of the birds thrive here. My area of Tennessee abounds with predators. The wife and I raise small dogs to sell-our pack do the most to keep the birds safe. Heidi and her pup had a cat cornered just this morning.

Unfortunately I was too slow in grabbing the 22. I don't like shooting animals but to keep he birds safe I do so when I know the animal is feral.

The pup (Snickers) is 8 weeks old now).

 

[Brianlee543]

With all our predators I found keeping cortunix in cages a challenge. Snakes too... I finally gave up on the quail. No matter how the cages for quail were reinforced SOMETHING found a way in. A determined predator is hard to keep out. Opossums, raccoons, cats, dogs, hawks, owls, snakes... it's surprising that any of the birds thrive here. My area of Tennessee abounds with predators. The wife and I raise small dogs to sell-our pack do the most to keep the birds safe. Heidi and her pup had a cat cornered just this morning.

View attachment 1955250
Unfortunately I was too slow in grabbing the 22. I don't like shooting animals but to keep he birds safe I do so when I know the animal is feral.

The pup (Snickers) is 8 weeks old now).

That is a very cute little dog. I live in Ireland so the main predators would be pinemartens and foxes, Andrew hawks sometimes.

 

[biophiliac]

oh, I see. You are very welcome! glad I can help.

the ones without extra feathering... the almost solid white one someone is holding, and the other white and brown one to me look kinda look like homers.

There is a black & white mottle, a brown & white and a gray & white that look fairly young to me, ... hard to tell from pics. Do you think they are young?

That is a very cute little dog. I live in Ireland so the main predators would be pinemartens and foxes, Andrew hawks sometimes.

Cool location! I love the international flavor of BYC and pigeon keeping in general. Consider adding it to your profile for advice tailored to your environment in particular.

 

[nchls school]

Ah yes. We have coyotes, foxes, weasels, and mink too. Pine martin I'm not sure of...further north I believe.

I looked it up. Pine martin in some upper US states and Canada.

Heidi and the pup are long haired dachsies.

 

[backyard pigeons]

With all our predators I found keeping cortunix in cages a challenge. Snakes too... I finally gave up on the quail. No matter how the cages for quail were reinforced SOMETHING found a way in. A determined predator is hard to keep out. Opossums, raccoons, cats, dogs, hawks, owls, snakes... it's surprising that any of the birds thrive here. My area of Tennessee abounds with predators. The wife and I raise small dogs to sell-our pack do the most to keep the birds safe. Heidi and her pup had a cat cornered just this morning.

View attachment 1955250
Unfortunately I was too slow in grabbing the 22. I don't like shooting animals but to keep he birds safe I do so when I know the animal is feral.

The pup (Snickers) is 8 weeks old now).

cute dogs! I'm in TN. what part are you in?

There is a black & white mottle, a brown & white and a gray & white that look fairly young to me, ... hard to tell from pics. Do you think they are young?

I THINK black and white, and the gray and white look young. To me, the brown and white being held looks to feathered out in the head, and to husky in the chest to be young, but the eye is still pretty dark. I would need more pictures.

 

[backyard pigeons]

Messed up the above qoute, to read my reply, hit the click to expand button.