Newbie Questions

[NewPigeonOwner]

My husband raised pigeons growing up so we decided to build a coop and raise them with our son. A few days ago we purchased 10 pigeons from Craigslist. We got 7 adults and 3 juvenile (they can already fly but they still make the squeaker noise). The gentleman we purchased them from said he never flew/trained these birds (although he does have several racing birds that he does fly). So he said we should have no problem training them ourselves? Our hope was to keep them as pets but to allow them out to fly each day and then return home (we will never be driving them distances and releasing them). Several of them have bands on their legs though so I have no idea of their true ages, etc. I do not believe any of them were already mated. But we have at least 4 males from what I can tell by their behavior so far. My questions are:

1. How long should we keep them in their coop/loft before attempting to release them?
2. One of the males is stalking the pretty white feather footed female and followers her relentlessly. Is it normal mating behavior if he refuses to leave her alone (follows her to eat, and from side to side of the coop and has even pecked at her aggressively). I'm afraid he is going to hurt her! To me it appears she is trying to get away from him at all times!
3. Do pigeons enjoy bird toys? Any recommendations?
4. Should we attempt to handle any of them or wait until they have babies?
5. We have put some materials in the corner so they can build nests inside the nest boxes but should we buy nesting bowls as well?
6. I've seen many videos of people putting apple cider vinegar drops in the water for some condition but also from someone who had an indoor pet. Is this recommended?
7. And tips for newbie pigeon owners?

Thank you in advance.

 

[backyard pigeons]

A few days ago we purchased 10 pigeons from Craigslist.

cool! Welcome again to the wonderful sport of raising pigeons.

So he said we should have no problem training them ourselves?

depends. They look like homer crosses to me. so even if they never were flown, they are probably settled to the old loft. Start training the squeakers right away. fly them once there trianed, and slowly train the flock one by one to join them. If you start losing the adults because there flying back, you know you need to wait longer.but you have questions on training, ask. I'm not going to tell you in this post, as my answer will be an essay!

Our hope was to keep them as pets but to allow them out to fly each day and then return home (we will never be driving them distances and releasing them).

never fly a bird you can bear to lose! Lots of risk out there. But, in my opinion, the reward of free flight is better than the risk.

1. How long should we keep them in their coop/loft before attempting to release them?
2. One of the males is stalking the pretty white feather footed female and followers her relentlessly. Is it normal mating behavior if he refuses to leave her alone (follows her to eat, and from side to side of the coop and has even pecked at her aggressively). I'm afraid he is going to hurt her! To me it appears she is trying to get away from him at all times!
3. Do pigeons enjoy bird toys? Any recommendations?
4. Should we attempt to handle any of them or wait until they have babies?
5. We have put some materials in the corner so they can build nests inside the nest boxes but should we buy nesting bowls as well?
6. I've seen many videos of people putting apple cider vinegar drops in the water for some condition but also from someone who had an indoor pet. Is this recommended?
7. And tips for newbie pigeon owners?

I would train the speakers for two weeks before flying them, and wait two months before trying to fly the adults. Start with the adult males, as they will want to get back in for their mates

It's normal for the make to be chasing them hen. He may be 'driving ' her. this means he is ready I start a nest and breed.

Pigeon toys... Can't think of anything, other than an aviary, extra perches, and a long perches for the males to fight on. l

You can handle them. But they won't get as tame as the babies will if they are handled daily. hand feeding is a good way to build trust. there favorite treat is peanuts. Are and unsalted.

Yes. Out two tablespoons of ACV per gallon of water. It is immune boosting, and the acid gets tired of any bacteria that enters the water. Never use ACV with other treatments or supplement. It will get rid of the food stuff in those meds, if there in the water together.

Tips.... Stick with it. there been times early on when I thought about getting out of it, but am soon glad I didnt. Keep them healthy. Ann's enjoy them. a lot of people alter so focused in breeding, flying, racing, showing etc. that they forget to stop, and just watch their antics for hours!

I hope this helps!

 

[backyard pigeons]

Oh, and that's an amazing loft! Wow! paint the wire black for better viewing of you want.

 

[NewPigeonOwner]

Oh, and that's an amazing loft! Wow! paint the wire black for better viewing of you want.

Thank you!

 

[NewPigeonOwner]

cool! Welcome again to the wonderful sport of raising pigeons.
depends. They look like homer crosses to me. so even if they never were flown, they are probably settled to the old loft. Start training the squeakers right away. fly them once there trianed, and slowly train the flock one by one to join them. If you start losing the adults because there flying back, you know you need to wait longer.but you have questions on training, ask. I'm not going to tell you in this post, as my answer will be an essay!
never fly a bird you can bear to lose! Lots of risk out there. But, in my opinion, the reward of free flight is better than the risk.

I would train the speakers for two weeks before flying them, and wait two months before trying to fly the adults. Start with the adult males, as they will want to get back in for their mates

It's normal for the make to be chasing them hen. He may be 'driving ' her. this means he is ready I start a nest and breed.

Pigeon toys... Can't think of anything, other than an aviary, extra perches, and a long perches for the males to fight on. l

You can handle them. But they won't get as tame as the babies will if they are handled daily. hand feeding is a good way to build trust. there favorite treat is peanuts. Are and unsalted.

Yes. Out two tablespoons of ACV per gallon of water. It is immune boosting, and the acid gets tired of any bacteria that enters the water. Never use ACV with other treatments or supplement. It will get rid of the food stuff in those meds, if there in the water together.

Tips.... Stick with it. there been times early on when I thought about getting out of it, but am soon glad I didnt. Keep them healthy. Ann's enjoy them. a lot of people alter so focused in breeding, flying, racing, showing etc. that they forget to stop, and just watch their antics for hours!

I hope this helps!

Thanks so much for the response! You've been very helpful. I am happy to report that the male that was picking on my feathered foot beauty is now fighting off the other males to leave her alone. =) We have two that are paired up already. We have put straw-like material in the coop for them to build nests in their nest boxes. Do you think nesting bowls are necessary as well? I am thoroughly enjoying watching their behavior and have named them all. Thanks again.

 

[biophiliac]

Thanks so much for the response! You've been very helpful. I am happy to report that the male that was picking on my feathered foot beauty is now fighting off the other males to leave her alone. =) We have two that are paired up already. We have put straw-like material in the coop for them to build nests in their nest boxes. Do you think nesting bowls are necessary as well? I am thoroughly enjoying watching their behavior and have named them all. Thanks again.

A nest bowl is useful to keep the eggs and squabs contained safely, or as safe as possible. I purchased cheap plastic dog food bowls from the dollar store.

Welcome to BYC

 

[backyard pigeons]

Do you think nesting bowls are necessary as well?

No. As long as there is material for them to build their own nest. I didn't have nesting bowls for the longest time. I'm now using them, and 12×12 squares out of 2×4 for them to nest in. I like the open top wooden squares better.

 

[backyard pigeons]

A nest bowl is useful to keep the eggs and squabs contained safely, or as safe as possible. I purchased cheap plastic dog food bowls from the dollar store.

Welcome to BYC

×2. My bowls are cheap dog bowls from dollar tree.

 

[biophiliac]

No. As long as there is material for them to build their own nest. I didn't have nesting bowls for the longest time. I'm now using them, and 12×12 squares out of 2×4 for them to nest in. I like the open top wooden squares better.

So you make a 12" square 'fence', about 4" high for the nest bowl? That sounds very practical. The birds like it?

 

[biophiliac]

I didn't see your nest boxes?