Keeping pigeons with chickens?

[AlicBird]

I have wanted a pigeon forever. Is it possible to have pigeons living with chickens outside? I just don't know what I would do about them flying, if they would fly away. I heard fantails aren't very good flyers. Any suggestions what I should do?

 

[Pigeon Power]

Well their are a lot of breeds that are not good at flying and yes fantails are one of them....However if you keep them in a nest box for two to three weeks (do not let them out during this time)...They will stay at your home and will not fly away...However if you are planning to have them out often you have to really worry about hawks...most people keep there birds in a enclosed pen outside...plus if you want to get a breed that doesn't fly well its easy prey for just about anything out in the open...As far as having chickens with them outside....it shouldn't be a problem as long as the pigeons can get away from them...I would NOT put the nest box anywhere near where the chickens are because chickens WILL eat baby pigeons....learned this the hard way when I was growing up...horrible...

I would also suggest getting a mated pair...pigeons NEED other pigeons

 

[larrylofts]

then you should not keep chickens and pigeons togather if chickens will eat squabs in the nest !

 

[AlicBird]

Thanks! I have a inclosed area with a top about 50' by 50'. I let my chickens out for about 10 a.m-6p.m in the summer and lock them in at night. They have coop with many nest boxes. Yes, I was planning on getting two pigeons so they have eachother. My two dogs almost always know when there is a racoon or something and scare it away. They also herd the chickens so dont wander too far. Have you heard about a bird that is part pigeon and part chicken?

 

[AlicBird]

Would getting two females so I dont have to worry about the babies ok?

 

[Pigeon Power]

No their is no such thing as a pigeon/chicken cross it just can't happen...Two females would be fine....just make sure the nest box is way out of chicken reach