If there are odd numbers in the pigeon loft will this create problems

[peterinhungary]

Pigeons are the first live stock I have kept that are not polygamous (from cattle to poultry to rabbits - none of them pair up) Given that pigeons pair up and share the family duties - so to say - a bit like me and the wife!!! if there are an uneven number of birds in the pigeon loft e.g. 3 pairs and a unattached bird will this cause unrest and antisocial behaviour in the loft?

 

[Hokum Coco]

Pigeons are not polygamous 3 pairs and a unattached bird will this cause unrest and antisocial behaviour in the loft?

Yes it sometimes can but it is not extreme (similar to a pecking order in chickens). It is nothing to be alarmed about the worse that may happen is a switch in partners, a gay paring, or a male with two mates (this is "NOT" common). It usually sorts itself out shortly after the first breeding season.

 

[tammyr112]

I have 5 doves. They picked at each other constantly, to the point most where bald in spots and one was slightly bloody looking.
After a bit of reading, I split them into 3 cages... 2 2 and one. I now have a pair sitting there eggs and 5 non balding birds.

I suggest you separate them if possible.

 

[jak2002003]

I have 5 doves. They picked at each other constantly, to the point most where bald in spots and one was slightly bloody looking.
After a bit of reading, I split them into 3 cages... 2 2 and one. I now have a pair sitting there eggs and 5 non balding birds.

I suggest you separate them if possible.

Doves are a different species to pigeons, and they require different care.

As you have found, adult doves need to be kept in pairs (or singly) when adult... and do not do well in a group. Each pair likes to have their own territory to nest and raise young, otherwise they will fight and bicker and eventually do harm to each other... as well as they will be stressed out and this makes them more likely to get sick.

Pigeon, on the other hand, are more social birds.. they like to feed, fly, roost and even nest together as a group... safety in numbers.

They will nest close to each other happily, and only defend their own nest from other pigeons.

If the OP has an odd number of birds, it won't be too much of a problem. The single bird will just wait until it can pair up with one of the young the other produce. Sometimes an extra male will get a bit naughty and pester the hens a bit... but the hens don't seem to mind. The only problem I had was a male that tried to take over a nest box of another pair, but I think that would have happened even if he had a female partner already.... as he just wanted that nest box.

 

[laughingdog]

Yes, most common ringneck doves one has are pair only birds fighting to death at times over large spaces even at times, but you can hang hanging planter baskets to for some reason get them to stop, but rock doves/ "pigeons" more often do not, provided space for each female to have two bowls boxes or bricked in spaces feet away from others nest or separated by something can't see through because about two weeks after nestlings hatch the female lays two more in second nest then repeating in first nest when second pair are about two weeks old etc.. not enough nest space leading breeding problem, unless only males hahaha, as I've had males nesting with three to five females peacefully each male herded his females in his corner.