I know it's been asked, But I have questions on Pigeons and free range and some other?

[Joe.G]

Hi, I had Pigeons when I was a kid, I got them as older birds and I remember I could let them out and they would come back.

If I were to get Some Pigeons now, ( Unsure what age I can find ) how do I train them to come back?
Do they come back at dark like Chickens do?
Do they eat chicken feed?
Is there certain types of Pigeons I should look for? Stay away from?
How many Pigeons are good to keep? Can I mix different types?
Can I house them with the chickens?

 

[fowlsessed]

Hi, I had Pigeons when I was a kid, I got them as older birds and I remember I could let them out and they would come back.

If I were to get Some Pigeons now, ( Unsure what age I can find ) how do I train them to come back? as long as they are "kept up" for a couple weeks they will return to their loft on their own. And that's considering they aren't homers which have been flown before. If so, they will go right back to the person you got them from. So, if you do get homers, get young, un-flown birds. Beware!! as people will lie to you. You can also get adult homers, don't let them out, and then fly their babies. You should also teach your birds a feed call that they respond to, when you want them to come in do the feed call and shake the can and they should all come in to be fed. It is a good control to have.
Do they come back at dark like Chickens do? yes, and throughout the day when they feel like it.
Do they eat chicken feed? Yes, the layer pellets and grains. make sure they have grit.
Is there certain types of Pigeons I should look for? Stay away from? most any are good, but a few are not. very big globes, too short a beak, or very heavily feathered around the head and none of those can raise their own babies. Large muffs, fantails, frill backs, large crests none of those will perform well as flyers. it al depends on what you want pigeons for.
How many Pigeons are good to keep? Can I mix different types? depends on the size of your pen, and you can mix them together.
Can I house them with the chickens? NO! they will most probably get sick and the chickens will kill the pigeons!
I hope that's of some help. Feel free to ask any other questions.

 

[Hokum Coco]

NOT to disagree with fowlsessed. It all depends on the chickens . Fowlsessed gave you excellent advice on all your other questions. I did raise meat king chickens in conjunction with pigeons in the same coop with no issues (for 8 weeks).

Yours truly
Hokum Coco

 

[Joe.G]

Wouldn't they perch in different spots, I don't see how they would even have to be near each other, If they have there own space within the coop do you still see a issue?

 

[fowlsessed]

If the pigeons have food/water up off the ground on a ledge where they can be un-bothered from the chickens and have their own roosts, then maybe all could be fine. The chickens (my chickens) will not let the pigeons land without chasing them. This is in a free-range situation and the pigeons have their own pen with their food/water so I don't worry much about it. Disease could still pose a problem, though.

 

[Hokum Coco]

I currently have my homing pigeons in with ring neck pheasants with no issues. I think the key is what breed of bird you mix with them. I have to agree with fowlsesser their are certain breeds that just would not mix well with pigeons. I found in my 2 cases with the meat king chickens and ring neck pheasants they were introduced to the pigeons as peeps and I had no problem in both my personal experiences. If they were introduced to adult chicken or adult pheasants for that matter the pecking order, and flock mentality would already been determined. This definitely would be bad for the pigeons in my opinion. Adult chickens or pheasants would kill a squab in a heart beat if put into a coop on the floor they are so defenseless. Adult pigeons can defend themselves if need be an flee if pursued as long as they did not fall to injury. Which would be the end of said bird with adult flock of chickens in the mix. They would eat her alive. Birds seem to regard the pigeons as parental units if introduced to them as peeps.

Hope this may help in your decision

Hokum Coco

Good luck in what ever you decide.

 

[fowlsessed]

I agree with CoCo, just try it and see what happens, but do be prepared for the worst. Especially if the chickens are not chicks.

 

[Joe.G]

How do you train them to come back if you let them free range? Are certain Pigeons better for this then others?

 

[fowlsessed]

They return on their own when they feel like it throughout the day and to roost at night. This is if you give them unlimited free-range access, which some don't recommend. Otherwise, you should teach them a feed call so they return when YOU want them to. Just shake the feed can and decide on a call you'll make during feeding time. When they start responding to this call while still in the loft, then you let them out when they are hungry and try to call them back in. They may need to get used to being outside for a second before they'll come back in when called. And they may not even go out the first time you open the door, I've had that happen, too.
As far as breeds, there are certainly some breeds you don't wan to fly. Among those that you don't wan to fly are fantails, frill backs, large crested birds and heavy utility birds. Some say no to fly show breeds at all, but I find some fly fairly well like OGO's and German Modenas. Even if they can't out-fly the hawks (those two show breeds have actually been known to do it). If you wan to fly, then get flying breeds which will be able to have the best chance at evading the hawks, it will keep you into pigeons longer and save you money and frustration when the hawks do find out that there are new birds on the menu nearby.
Do keep in mind that within a breed there are vastly different qualities of birds and not all will perform the same. Homers are great, some other flying breeds are said to have a fair chance against hawks, but the homer will probably be what you'll find most of around at the best price. They are everywhere.
If you do go with homers, follow the advice given about flying them in my first post.