Looking to learn about Indian Fantail

[Canieldonrad]

I had pigeons about 12 or 13 years ago. Got a couple of birds from Carl Fosbrink's son. Rollers of some sort I was not and still have not really enveloped myself into the pigeon fancy enough to know differences. But I've always been fond of Fantails and thought, what the hell, might as well get a pair one day.

What I want to know is this, I know they aren't the best flyers as they are generally kept by breeders for other pigeons to look for to return home at night. But if I were to coop them up with chickens, what sort of accommodations would I need to make for them? Boards to run on? Can they fly enough to be elevated without a ramp of sorts? What kind of issues do they have with flying up? down? Do you use specific feeds for different varieties of pigeon based on activity level?

Do they rear young as quickly as something like a Roller? And are they prone to fertility problems?

 

[maransfan16]

can't tell you about fertility i just have a couple of hens and mine fly around with the other pigeons i have (rollers,barbs,owl, etc.) although with noticeable difficulty taking off which is only noticeable by the way their wings slap together harder than my others but once they get going they fly as well if not better than my others and landing is no problem for them either they are very comical though to see them fly cause their tails go out behind them but they still fan out a little bit behind them in an upside down u-shape. mine may be different than other Indian fantails because of this but mine fly around just as well as the others although they do sit around more than the others either on the ground or the house but if the door is open for them to fly out there is no way you will find them in the coop. hope this helped a little bit

 

[Pigeon Power]

I wouldnot put them in with chickens...Chickens will kill and eat pigeons...Indian Fantails can fly to the top of a 2 story roof or into a tree...ect but not like a roller, homer, or flight can...Owls are even better then them....That tail gets in the way....They are also breeding them to be pretty big anymore. They fly better then a chicken but not too much better... I have never had a problem with breeding...although I've heard some people if they are having problems....will cut the hens tail so the male can get to things better

 

[Pigeon Power]

I wouldnot put them in with chickens...Chickens will kill and eat pigeons...Indian Fantails can fly to the top of a 2 story roof or into a tree...ect but not like a roller, homer, or flight can...Owls are even better then them....That tail gets in the way....They are also breeding them to be pretty big anymore. They fly better then a chicken but not too much better... I have never had a problem with breeding...although I've heard some people if they are having problems....will cut the hens tail so the male can get to things better

 

[Hokum Coco]

I did raise meat king chickens with pigeons with no issue (it only takes 8 weeks). The meat kings if anything regarded the pigeons as sort of parental units. I have to agree with Pigeon Power otherwise 100%.

 

[Lylfyly]

As for keeping with chickens, I wouldn't. I have Mindian fantails and American Fantails. I don't know about the full size fantails, but my Mindians and Americans fly just fine. I feed a 12% pigeon mix and I hang my feeders and waters to keep them clean. They will breed just as often as other pigeons and will raise their young the same. My fans do NOT have any fertility problems. I had my first two for about a year and had to sell a bunch of offspring. I hope that this answers some of your questions.

 

[Canieldonrad]

A lot of people told me that Indian fly much better than they are described. And a few recommended Squabing breeds as they aren't quite as active as a fantail. Pigeons is something I'd like to do, but not something I'm dying for. Just want to gauge the species.

 

[Hokum Coco]

I am in the market for Indian Fantails.
I have White Homers currently.
Here is a photo of a champion Indian Fantail.

 

[Lylfyly]

I am in the market for Indian Fantails.
I have White Homers currently.
Here is a photo of a champion Indian Fantail.

Fantastic bird. Just beautiful.