NEW to fantail pigeons

[4HillsSumatras]

Im new to fantail pigeons and have a lot of questions.#1What size pen do one pair need?#2 Do they need a Flight pen?#3 What size nestbox?#4 What kind of food do they eat?#5 Do i need to trim talefeathers for breeding? #6 How many eggs are in a clutch? ALL info will be appreciated. THANKS ALOT!!!

 

[First To Hatch]

Im new to faintail pigeons and have a lot of questions.#1What size pen do one pair need?#2 Do they need a Flight pen?#3 What size nestbox?#4 What kind of food do they eat?#5 Do i need to trim talefeathers for breeding? #6 How many eggs are in a clutch? ALL info will be appreciated. THANKS ALOT!!!



#1 If your breeding them I would build a 6ft x 4ft x 4ft pen.

#2 They do not fly well, if at all, but you will need an aviary for them the two best things a pigeon needs are sunlight and fresh air, and an aviary will provide that.

#3 A nest box should be 2ft wide 1ft deep and 1ft high, because pigeons start nesting for another round of eggs when the first round was around 2 weeks old, that nezt box needs to fit a family of 6.

#4 Pigeons eat pigeon feed, they can come in pellets or a variety of different seeds and grains.

#5 I believe many do trim the tail feathers and I say you should just so they wont waste time on infertile eggs.

#6 Hens lay two eggs at a time one the first day and another the next day, although I have heard of pigeons having 3 eggs. Two squeakers are more then enough work and stress for parents to raise and feed.

Feel free to ask more questions.

 

[4HillsSumatras]

Thanks alot for the info!!!!!! Would a 2x3 rabbit hutch with a 3x3 wire bottom outdoor pen work?A friend of mine gave me his old rabbit hutch and im working on the 3x3 pen.My uncle is giving me a pair at the winston show in N.C. One last thing do pigeons feed milk to there young?I overherd someone talking about pigeons feeding milk.THANK YOU! P.S What color fantails do you have

 

[First To Hatch]

Quote:
The 3 x 3 is nice but don't count it as a way to fit more birds in the 2 x 3 rabbit hutch will fit 3 birds any more then that is to much. Pigeons feed their young something that most fanciers call pigeon milk in my opinion it just looks like they are throwing up in the babys mouth. I do not have any fantails, I'm still working on my 12 x 10 loft and we'll have Racing Homers and Satinettes.

 

[4HillsSumatras]

Thank you again.I was wondering what pigeon milk was?Im so excited, i cant wait to get my fantails!!I well put up pics when i get them.Good luck on your 10x12 loft.

 

[First To Hatch]

Thank you

 

[Mary Of Exeter]

#1. That depends on how many birds you have. The age-old rule of thumb is 1 square foot per bird, but 2 would be better. The more room, the better. But regardless, you must have enough perches for them. At least one per bird so they don't have to fight over them. Also, if you have pairs, then give them a couple nest boxes per pair.

#2. Preferably, yes. Aviaries are good for bathing (both in the sun and the water). I also keep my drinkers in the aviary so the dust and debris doesn't get in the water. If they don't have an aviary, then make sure sunlight is available somehow.

#3. Mine have nested in anything from 14in long, tall, and deep, to nearly 3 feet long, 2 ft high, and about 2ft deep. The bigger ones are my individual breeding cages though, which has 2 nest bowls and a perch. If you can comfortably fit two nest bowls in one box, then that will save you from having to build as many nest boxes. The two bowls will keep them from laying more eggs in the same nest as the babies before they are weaned.

#4. If I remember right, you are somewhere near Salisbury. In that case, you'll be better off feeding them Brown's Pigeon feed mixes. A guy in our club sells a lot of different mixes from that company. He lives in Statesville, but whenever we have a meeting or a race, he brings feed for those who need it, to the clubhouse in Salisbury.

#5. There is no need to trim the tail feathers. Just trim the down feathers around the vent, and you shouldn't have a problem with fertility. The tails are easily moved out of the way during mating. It's that extra "butt fluff" that gets in the way of fertilization. Since fantails are fancy birds, they tend to have a lot of fluff down there.

#6. Pigeons lay 2 eggs per clutch, up to a day difference between them. Once both are laid, both parents will take turns incubating them. The eggs hatch at 18 days, and are then fed by both parents for about 28 days when they are weaned. Sometimes the parents will feed them longer, but you can take them away from their parents at 26+ days. As long as they are eating on their own.

#7. I have a rabbit hutch like that. Put a couple nest bowls in it, and it makes a good breeding cage for a pair. I wouldn't put 3 in there as that will cause fighting over the nest. If you don't let them have anywhere to nest, then it won't be a problem.