Pet Doves

[Magic Birdie]

Okay, so I've been thinking about getting a ringneck or diamond dove as a pet for a bit, but it's kind of hard for me to research them, because, well, they're not the most common pet in the world.

So I have these questions:

Where can I get one? (I've looked at fairs and websites like www.petbedsandalotmore , but is there a better way?)

How big should a cage be?

I've heard they can eat parakeet food and grit, is that right?

Should I let one outside? I know they're not like homing pigeons, but can I go outside with them, or do I have to clip their wings like I do with my budgies?

Speaking of wing clipping, do you do it the same way as you would with a budgie?

Is there anything else I should know about them? (Just anything, really)


Thank you!

 

[FireTigeris]

Okay, so I've been thinking about getting a ringneck or diamond dove as a pet for a bit, but it's kind of hard for me to research them, because, well, they're not the most common pet in the world.
So I have these questions:
Where can I get one? (I've looked at fairs and websites like www.petbedsandalotmore , but is there a better way?)
How big should a cage be?
I've heard they can eat parakeet food and grit, is that right?
Should I let one outside? I know they're not like homing pigeons, but can I go outside with them, or do I have to clip their wings like I do with my budgies?
Speaking of wing clipping, do you do it the same way as you would with a budgie?
Is there anything else I should know about them? (Just anything, really)
Thank you!

I never own A diamond dove-

I get them at the feed store, on Craigslist or from rescue

As big as possible, my doves (blond Eurasian collard doves (ringneck) live with my chickens and ducks in a 12*24 foot pen with a large covered are and plenty of places to roost- I'm in FL they stay out year around )

You should never let a dove you want to keep safe lose outside- hawks will eat them and they are not native here (USA, FL).

You can clip wings, same as budgies.

They -can- eat bird most any small bird seeds but there are also fresh foods that are good for them and also pellets made for pigeons.

- every once and awhile they are too dumb to come in out of the rain and they get soaked and can't fly, I bring them inside.

I was told by Mickacoo that 'every day is a new day for a dove' ... that is they make chickens look smart. They can be trained to fly from one place to another (like magicians do).

They are listed as living 10 years on average- but some magicians have them as old as 30 years and counting.

They need another dove friend they are flock creatures, they will 'bond' and are not always picky about gender... (I have three normal couples, one gay couple, and one lesbian couple I have three more that are too young and one antisocial dove (she has a tumor so she may be being excluded) )

 

[Magic Birdie]

I never own A diamond dove-

I get them at the feed store, on Craigslist or from rescue

As big as possible, my doves (blond Eurasian collard doves (ringneck) live with my chickens and ducks in a 12*24 foot pen with a large covered are and plenty of places to roost- I'm in FL they stay out year around )

You should never let a dove you want to keep safe lose outside- hawks will eat them and they are not native here (USA, FL).

You can clip wings, same as budgies.

They -can- eat bird most any small bird seeds but there are also fresh foods that are good for them and also pellets made for pigeons.

- every once and awhile they are too dumb to come in out of the rain and they get soaked and can't fly, I bring them inside.

I was told by Mickacoo that 'every day is a new day for a dove' ... that is they make chickens look smart. They can be trained to fly from one place to another (like magicians do).

They are listed as living 10 years on average- but some magicians have them as old as 30 years and counting.

They need another dove friend they are flock creatures, they will 'bond' and are not always picky about gender... (I have three normal couples, one gay couple, and one lesbian couple I have three more that are too young and one antisocial dove (she has a tumor so she may be being excluded) )

Thank you! I'll think about that.