New pideons owner

[RezChamp]

Heat bubble....
Heat rises. If it can't get out it collects and stays in. The more heat source(in this case pigeons) you have the more moisture it can support. By leaving the lower vents open the moisture is decreased. If you leave the upper vents open the temp in the coop goes to the same temp as outside to the level of the vents that are open. The "heat bubble" is the warm air that is trapped up to the level of the lowest opening. Unlike chickens with combs and wattles humidity is less bothersome to pigeons. That said, from my own experience, if I spend a cpl days in the house 'just because I can now' when I go outside in the dead-o-winter I can REALLY feel the humidity difference(between the wood fire heat in the house and outside winter air)on my throat and lungs.
Pigeons are generally pretty tough birds but I still wanna give a bit of comfort/respite, especially from the extremes we get here.
Hoe this helps

 

[RezChamp]

brettshomestead I'm so glad you started this thread. BYC has many threads that discuss many of my interests and/or lifestyle choices.

Thanks young fulla.

How are you doin with your birds?

 

[LamarshFish]

Thanks, I think that's what I will use for the aviary. That's what you have on your aviary, right? Unfortunately we have all those predators, raccoons were even living in the building above the second floor porch! I managed to keep my chickens safe, so I'm hopeful for the pigeons too.

Yep, that is what I used on my aviary. It works well when framed in with 2"x2" pressure treated lumber, just try to get lineal pieces that aren't warped--for some reason 2x2 lumber is often warped, so you have to pick through it at the lumber yard... then when you bring it home make sure you store it flat on the ground or it will warp. All of the spare 2x2 lineal pieces I never used warped and are now basically useless to me unless cut into tiny pieces.

 

[brettshomestead]

brettshomestead I'm so glad you started this thread. BYC has many threads that discuss many of my interests and/or lifestyle choices.

Thanks young fulla.

How are you doin with your birds?

They're doing great! I have plans to build a bigger pen already, and I bought a few more pideons. I started a new job at a feed store and I'm learning tons. My next plan is to join a pideons club.

 

[RezChamp]

They're doing great! I have plans to build a bigger pen already, and I bought a few more pideons. I started a new job at a feed store and I'm learning tons. My next plan is to join a pideons club.

Righton yng brother.
As stated before I am having mixed emotions of empathy for you. Happy & sad.
Working at a feed store will sure help. Especially if they have the raw materials....or better yet the professional type mixes of seed feed.
Rightnow my birds are eating a mix of "Wild Bird Feed", with added peas, lentils & wheat. I chop lettuce for them sometimes too. They'll pick at cauliflower and broccoli as well but I gota get it outa the coop after about 4 hrs though. Just little chunks like a single stalk or so. I add a tablespoon of organic apple cider vinegar to 20litres(4gls?) of fresh water for them and the rest of my birds. I have "Pigeon VitaMineral" powder and pigeon sized "Grit-n-Charcoal" they have access to 2x/wk. I just fill the dispensers(ocean Spray cranberry juice bottles with 2" holes cut leaving 2" of "bowl") and my 30ish birds are good for a cpl days. I use human grade DE in the corners and nest boxes/cubbyholes for mites etc.
They eat the DE too. Apparently it's good for fighting internal parasites.
Pigeon keeping is an addiction. Although there are afflictions associated with "pigeoneering" it is still a much healthier (and prettier) addiction.

 

[LamarshFish]

They eat the DE too.

Will they eat the fine DE powder, or do you have to get it in some other form, like chunks or grit sized, for them to eat? All I have is the fine DE food grade powder that I use every week or two in the nest boxes and such.

 

[RezChamp]

Will they eat the fine DE powder, or do you have to get it in some other form, like chunks or grit sized, for them to eat? All I have is the fine DE food grade powder that I use every week or two in the nest boxes and such.

Mine eat DE in the powder form. I just put about 4 tblspns in a tin lid. They'll eat what they need. Not like us humans. We'll eat crap like pizza & pouting firs fries w/gravy and drink pepsi and rockstar everyday even when we're told it ain't good for us we'll go out of our way to eat it. Pigeons are smarter than us that way. They'll lots of corn & oil seeds come winter but will almost totally lay off it in summer.....if we give them alternatives. They seem to inately know what's good for them and how much they need.
Well, I can't say that's the rule across the board but my limited experience with pigeons puts me under the strong impression they're smarter...
Point, I had brought sand from the pile that was to be used for filling sandbags. Unbeknownst to me there were salty additives in the sand to keep it from freezing in chunks in the event it got wet ahead of freeze-up. The pigeons wouldn't touch it. The moment I got sand from a close by natural beach they practically fought over it. So again.... ...smarter...
Same with salted water(to keep from freezing). And "softened" water out of the tap.
Also again in my limited experience with pigeoneering my birds will eat powdered human grade DE. Ironically enough they also seem to prefer organic ACV over the "Pure Apple Cider Vinegar" found on most shelves. Moreover it appears they seem to prefer the ACV made by friend up the road.

 

[LamarshFish]

Mine eat DE in the powder form. I just put about 4 tblspns in a tin lid. They'll eat what they need. Not like us humans. We'll eat crap like pizza & pouting firs fries w/gravy and drink pepsi and rockstar everyday even when we're told it ain't good for us we'll go out of our way to eat it. Pigeons are smarter than us that way. They'll lots of corn & oil seeds come winter but will almost totally lay off it in summer.....if we give them alternatives. They seem to inately know what's good for them and how much they need.
Well, I can't say that's the rule across the board but my limited experience with pigeons puts me under the strong impression they're smarter...
Point, I had brought sand from the pile that was to be used for filling sandbags. Unbeknownst to me there were salty additives in the sand to keep it from freezing in chunks in the event it got wet ahead of freeze-up. The pigeons wouldn't touch it. The moment I got sand from a close by natural beach they practically fought over it. So again.... ...smarter...
Same with salted water(to keep from freezing). And "softened" water out of the tap.
Also again in my limited experience with pigeoneering my birds will eat powdered human grade DE. Ironically enough they also seem to prefer organic ACV over the "Pure Apple Cider Vinegar" found on most shelves. Moreover it appears they seem to prefer the ACV made by friend up the road.

I will offer them some DE powder today and see if they like it.

I just experimented with greens this past weekend for the first time. I walked around and picked a bunch of dandelion greens, tied them together and hung them in the aviary. I didn't see them eat it, but I went out a few hours later and it was shredded and all over the place, so I'm guessing they loved it lol.

 

[RezChamp]

I will offer them some DE powder today and see if they like it.

I just experimented with greens this past weekend for the first time. I walked around and picked a bunch of dandelion greens, tied them together and hung them in the aviary. I didn't see them eat it, but I went out a few hours later and it was shredded and all over the place, so I'm guessing they loved it lol.

Where I live we use all parts of Dandelion for different ailments and health benefits. We add it to our traditional/endemic herbals for different cancers, diabetes, skin problems, prostate, pre and post natal, etc. It's good for female specific issues as well. Very versitile plant.
My grandfather lightly steam the leaves and put some homemade butter and some salt on it. My Nana used in salads and stuff.
It's better than lettuce but I get outdated lettuce from the store and the foodbank so..
But ya, with what little I know of Dandelion I should've thought of treating my pigeons too. I know the Rouens & Pekins I had liked it. Mind you that's what I weaned them onto from "Duck & Goose Starter".