I am thinking about getting some pigeons

[313759]

I have been thinking about getting pigeons, and trust me this was a long think 2-3 years to be exact. And I still can't decide wether to get pigeons or not. I might need to know the basics of pigeon keeping and need some encouragement. What breed is best for beginners? I see all these fancy breeds but which one is best for the first time pigeon keeper. I don't plan on showing my pigeons so they don't have to be fancy. And I don't plan on racing them so they don't have to be fast... can someone tell me a bit about them?
Show me some good lofts that I can get an idea from please. And can you guys also show me a few photos of good beginner pigeon breeds.

Can pigeons be good pets?

Which breed is best for me?

I only plan on having 1-2 birds at a time so how large a loft?

Can you show me your lofts so I can get the idea(I'm pretty dumb)?

 

[laughingdog]

Well first, pigeons are social and have to be kept in pairs at least (can be same sex, as they don't care), two or more, will tame easy well and be better cleaner than parrots especially, but any other bird as well, except crows.. theyrs awsome cleptos thow! lol
pigeons can be fed wild bird seeds, sratch feeds, layer pellets, dove feeds, pigeon pellet feed(marketed mainly for racing pigeons, but same species of different breeds all of rock dove), and I've found they even can be fed n do goood on grass parakeet/budgie feed.

 

[313759]

I found a classified for roller pigeons $5 each so I want to get 4...are roller pigeons good starter birds? I am picky when it comes to picking out birds, I don't like birds with feathered feet so I prefer clean feet and good coloring

 

[laughingdog]

Beginner easy getting, cheap hardy etc breeds, will be your tumbler n homer breeds.
Roller pigeons of the tumblers being easiest as far as needing least feed n space (can be kept as lil as two heaping table spoons of seeds, with one cup water, in 24' x 24" x 16" cage per pair minimal, but id double to have happy Birmingham rollers, n would need to double as bare minimum for happy healthy homer etc pair.

Birmingham and any other roller, flying flights (good birds too no bop probs from flying though), are all tumblers (differs mainly how tumble refined to do more rolling as some would nowadays call).


Portuguese tumblers are great easily kept dwarfed mini pigeons I'm starting to work with n like how they are as fliers showers pretty friendly pets etc anything want for. only bad I've heard is that smaller size makes easier target for snakes rats cats small BOPs (Birds Of Prey/raptors/falcons/hawks). I've had none of probs so far thankfully and mine in biggest rabbit rack cages made of large guage wire you can get.

best wire to use cheapest n long lasting is one inch hardware/wire cloth called for some reason. if you screen bottom inch from floor, your birds droppings will be easier to clean up by using board tray pan under, then can get off with paint scraper to toss on garden etc daily.

homers just a easy cheap hardy breed to keep, most generally just lesser racers or now food bird breeds.

 

[313759]

So I could just feed the pigeons layer crumbles for chickens? That would make things easier

 

[laughingdog]

I see many successfully keep their birds in 3'-4' square coops basically a box open on whole front, framed with wire as one whole door or door on bottom top or in middle.
feed mix of scratch layer n maybe wild bird seed. providing seperate container for grit, which is needed by most animals to digest hard feed-heing either sand n or small gravel, cage bird "grit n gravel", or chicken grit. I've heard crushed red brick clay and crushed lime and sand stone work good too.

 

[laughingdog]

Layer would do, though sometimes too much protein n why some cut with scratch feeds (and scratch cheaper). too much protein if breeding can make babies get "angel wing", were flight feathers joint of wing ends grow out ward, sag, and prevent flight.

Birmingham rollers great best even starting pigeons! They run $5 about, $2-$2:50 if get half dozen to eight, but don't pay any more than ten dollars for every ten feet roll. lol

 

[313759]

What exactly is scratch feed? I hear about it but never really knew what it was

 

[laughingdog]

Birmingham rollers get the most varied and interesting colors and patterns, generally clean legged, even though they are partly bred from WOEs (west of england tumblers) which they get their "badges" white patches/parts and in birms called "bald head" that sought after. ORs (oriental rollers), AMs (American rollers), and another or two i forget at time.. that make past of breed up showing specific traits of.

I've found six to eight work best in "kit" or flock of rollers, if flying as happier healthier and can watch out for preds easier when/if trained n released to fly and return to "loft" coop home. in cage spaced perches 1" x 1"s big enough only for one to perch on or block or board or boxed perches, as many as have birds, on each side, so birds can fly lil back and fourth, great exercise for them n keeps fit. 1" x 1"s good nailed/screwed to sides n similar , as rock doves/pigeons do better with squared rather than and not round perches like chickens.

basically any "large" commercial chicken or rabbit etc cage, would be easy to use and cheap build or bought secong hand.
many easy cheap to free, and fast made pigeon cages are on you tube, showing how made.
i myself went n bought for breeders n seperate flying kit flocks, commercial largest rabbit rack caging.

 

[laughingdog]

Scratch is corn crushed cracked and or whole, one or more types, mixed with wheat, at least usually, and sometimes grit n vitiman calcuim powder..
Better feeds will also have milo (red bb type seed), white millet (lil white seeds in feeds n treats as staple for budgie/grass parakeets, canary and finches), and other seeds n grains that i cannot remember, but peas are in best scratch grain feeds, usually six grain scratch best, but heard of nine grain scratch.

Milo wheat n Peas n key in pigeon seed grain feeds/mixes, as they provide usable protiens n energy etc for pigeons.
basically good or even cheapest wild bird seed, scratch, and layer, will be more than adequate for pet pigeons. Some feed Birmingham rollers used for flying sport, only wheat, until season over, cold n then add millet n or corn, and milo n peas for breeding, n adding dash of ACV (apple cider vinegar) to gallon of their drinking water. I've given strictly wild bird seed n my fliers did good, n fed winter breeder fliers layer n scratch mixed in with it. course i supplemented with dandilion or collard etc greens.