New mommy of pigeons HELP!!!

[Chicken Momma T]

We went to an auction last night, we purchased 4 fantail doves. I need some advice in matters of care, I had doves in the past, is their care the same?

 

[sourland]

Provide a clean, ventilated but draft free, dry loft plus a high quality pigeon feed and pigeon grit and you should have the start to your flock.

 

[Chicken Momma T]

I was thinking about keeping a pair inside, like I did my doves, my doves loved it. They would perch a certain spot in my kitchen when they were allowed out to fly. I just put a poo protector down where they set. They also were outside when it was warm enough or put in the sun in the house if not. I wast them to get their vitamin D 3.
Can hey adapt like my doves?

 

[Hokum Coco]

I would never keep pigeons in a house for any prolonged period of time due to the dust they shed that poses health issues. I am sure lots of fanciers would agree with me also.

 

[sourland]

I would never keep pigeons in a house for any prolonged period of time due to the dust they shed that poses health issues. I am sure lots of fanciers would agree with me also.

Bad idea! Pigeon lung is not a disease to be messsed with.

 

[Chicken Momma T]

Thanks I wasn't aware of that! I am glad that you told me. So should we just let them go free? I don't wanna get sick from them!!

 

[Hokum Coco]

Provide a clean, ventilated but draft free, dry loft plus a high quality pigeon feed and pigeon grit and you should have the start to your flock.

A pigeon can be housed in a dovecote or a structure not much bigger than a parrot or a rabbit cage. Where fantails are weak fliers I would suggest a structure in the line of a small rabbit hutch..

 

[sourland]

Thanks I wasn't aware of that! I am glad that you told me. So should we just let them go free? I don't wanna get sick from them!!

In a well ventilated coop with non constant exposure, there should be no problems. The health issues result from frequent exposure to the dander from the birds' feathers. I always wear a cannister type particle filter mask when working in my lofts.

 

[Chicken Momma T]

Thanks for the advice!! I appreciate it bunches!!

 

[Chicken Momma T]

Ok.... We kinda messed up and put all 4 together instead of keeping them in pairs, how do we tell which are pairs??? I hate that we did this, we were not thinking obviously, but we got them at an auction and they were in tiny boxes and we were just trying to get them out and in something bigger, any help would be great!!!!