New Pigeons: A Few Questions

[Scott]

Went to a livestock auction last night where there happened to be a fella selling two pairs of pigeons. I was thrilled to win both pairs for only $16 bucks! One pair are white homing pigeons (rock doves), and the other pair are white fantails. I'll post pictures soon.

As I am new to pigeons, I had a couple of questions. Can I feed my pigeons chicken feed? Also, I am currently building an aviary/enclosure for my four miniature call ducks. Can the pigeons be house in that enclosure? I was going to add suspended branches. Are pigeons winter hardy? That is, can they live safely in an open enclosure throughout the winter? Do they need some kind of housing/nest box? And if so, what kind?

Thanks,
Scott

 

[truecolorsloft]

You will want to protect your pigeons from recieving direct wind drafts. And as far as housing them with ducks, i don't see any issues, except for the "normal pecking order issues." We have one ringneck dove who is in protective segregation, because he picks fights he has no prayer of winning. And as far as feed, we use a mix if chicken scratch feed, and wild bird seed, it come to about 24-30 dollars per hunderd pounds here in NH. It all depends on where we buy the feed. There are others who will have more direct answers. but hope this helps.

P>S> i'm envious of your fantails. LOL!

 

[Scott]

I was definately pleased with my find. Thanks for the information. Chicken feed and wild bird see it shall be then.

 

[Okla-doodle-doo]

I keep ducks with my pigeons,they live on different levels so get along fine. Not the same with chickens,they will fly up and take the pigeons roost and nest and kill their babies.
The pigeons need year round shelter,doesn't need to be fancy just dry and out of the wind. Many have been raised in everytning from tarp covered dog runs to very fancy pigeon houses.
Different breeds will cros so you have to watch for that and try and keep each breed separate. Crossed birds are harder to get rid of.
There are special pigeon feeds,but they really aren't picky. Mine get gamebird starter and milo and do great.

One word of caution! Be very careful............................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................THEY ARE ADDICTING!

 

[marksbirds]

I have pigeons and ducks together in one pen and they get along real good. The shelter I have for the pigeons is 4 old rabbit hutches on legs. In there I put their nest boxes in there so they are use to going in there. They do roost in there at night no matter what the weather. I just feed them wild bird seed and pigeon mix, but they will eat the gamebird food first when I feed the ducks.

 

[greenfamilyfarms]

Basic Pigeon Care -

http://www.angelfire.com/ga3/pigeongenetics/basicpigeoncare.html

One tip - Don't let those Homers out! They will fly back to the guy to purchased them from.

 

[Scott]

Well, one pair got out and flew off. I assumed they would come back, but they didnt. I am seeling the other pair... the fantails.

 

[Mary Of Exeter]

I would take the fantails if I was closer

I only have three right know, which is the momma, dad, and baby. I used to have a nice flock of Indian fantails that looked just how I wanted them to (not necessarily SQ, but the way I liked them to look). Now it's hard to find decent birds that won't eat the bank

 

[Scott]

I wish you were as well. $30 bucks for the pair. It's a good deal, I think.

 

[seismic wonder2]

check with the guy you bought them from. The homers most likely...went...home.
When you bring homers to your home you can't let them out for a long long time or they will just fly back to their previous home.

Many fly for more than 300 miles to get there.