Pigeon care basics? What are basic pigeon housing requirements?

[black_cat]

We found a pigeon, contacted the owner, and the owner said we can keep it. It's either that or turn it out to live in the wild, and I don't think it would last too long. This pigeon is basically the joint responsibility of me and my friend. It is clearly a domestic pigeon as it has no objection to being held, and it is not afraid of us. I am fully prepared to keep and care for it. It currently resides in a cat crate with a roost up on bricks, a towel over the bottom, a dish of 'pigeon mix' which is 1 part chicken feed, 1 part scratch, and 3 parts birdseed, and it also has a bowl of water. How can I make it happier in this temporary enviornment while a loft is built? What do pigeons need for a healthy, happy life?

 

[backyard pigeons]

We found a pigeon, contacted the owner, and the owner said we can keep it. It's either that or turn it out to live in the wild, and I don't think it would last too long. This pigeon is basically the joint responsibility of me and my friend. It is clearly a domestic pigeon as it has no objection to being held, and it is not afraid of us. I am fully prepared to keep and care for it. It currently resides in a cat crate with a roost up on bricks, a towel over the bottom, a dish of 'pigeon mix' which is 1 part chicken feed, 1 part scratch, and 3 parts birdseed, and it also has a bowl of water. How can I make it happier in this temporary enviornment while a loft is built? What do pigeons need for a healthy, happy life?

Hello there! I would recommend making a wooden floor loft for yours, with preferably about 10 square ft of floor space. Always make their loft 3 ft deep (or more!), as when they stretch their wings, three ft allows them to fully extend them without rubbing anything.

also give them an aviary to get some sun and bathe.

I recommend bare wood floors and sealing it daily for droppings. My birds for the most part stay healthy that way.

check your other thread for more advice!

 

[backyard pigeons]

Also, i recommend getting one companion for your bird once the loft is built, and then no more, and don't allow them to breed. you see, once a pair has had its own loft they think it's theirs and will fight and fight if another bird is added, sometimes even if it's the pairs own baby.

 

[NatJ]

Also, i recommend getting one companion for your bird once the loft is built,

For where to get a companion pigeon: try asking the former owner of the pigeon if they have any for sale, or if they know of anyone else who has a pigeon for sale.

 

[black_cat]

Also, i recommend getting one companion for your bird once the loft is built, and then no more, and don't allow them to breed. you see, once a pair has had its own loft they think it's theirs and will fight and fight if another bird is added, sometimes even if it's the pairs own baby.

How do I determine the gender of the pigeon? Would I want to get one of the same gender, so they won't mate? Does that work? How do I stop them from breeding? Also, can I get a different breed of pigeon, maybe one of the cute little fancy ones (Guess who's been looking at pigeon pictures?)? Can you have different breeds together?

 

[black_cat]

Hello there! I would recommend making a wooden floor loft for yours, with preferably about 10 square ft of floor space. Always make their loft 3 ft deep (or more!), as when they stretch their wings, three ft allows them to fully extend them without rubbing anything.

also give them an aviary to get some sun and bathe.

I recommend bare wood floors and sealing it daily for droppings. My birds for the most part stay healthy that way.

check your other thread for more advice!

Would a 3x3 work? I'll have trouble springing for anything more. How much space do you need in the aviary? Again, I'll have trouble getting more than 3x3, at least that's not a prefab thing. I know that that really isn't a great amount of space. Could a pigeon be next to/near the chickens? Not in with them, but probably near them.

 

[backyard pigeons]

How do I determine the gender of the pigeon? Would I want to get one of the same gender, so they won't mate? Does that work? How do I stop them from breeding? Also, can I get a different breed of pigeon, maybe one of the cute little fancy ones (Guess who's been looking at pigeon pictures?)? Can you have different breeds together?

males will coo, dance, and have some green and purple shine through on its neck. The hens can have the same, but usually not as distinct. Hens are usually smaller than males,and usually quiter. It can take a bit of practice, but you will get it. I would recommend getting a hen, if at all possible. since we don't know the gender of yours, a hen would be better. As for hens will get along better than two males. And a hen and a male will get along fine as well.

As far as stopping breeding goes, you need to get some fake pigeon eggs and when they lay eggs replace the real with the fake. They will sit and when they don't hatch, give up.

Different breeds get along fine together, so go for it!

Would a 3x3 work? I'll have trouble springing for anything more. How much space do you need in the aviary? Again, I'll have trouble getting more than 3x3, at least that's not a prefab thing. I know that that really isn't a great amount of space. Could a pigeon be next to/near the chickens? Not in with them, but probably near them.

do a 3 by 3 loft, and then once you are able bump out a 3 by 3 aviary. that's what i would do atleats.

The more space the better for the aviary.

Yes, there are very few diseases that pigeons can pass to chickens, and vice versa. so it is fine.



If you want a bigger loft for cheap, take apart pallets. They are free pretty much everywhere, and work great once taken apart. I made a 6×8 walk in pigeon loft 99% out of pallet wood. I pretty much had a new hobby for about six months,,, Taking apart pallets. But, if I wanted a coop, i was going I need to do it, so I did it! The total came out to be about $200 ...not to bad considering it's size!

The Windows were free out of a dumpster too!

 

[black_cat]

Hello there! I would recommend making a wooden floor loft for yours, with preferably about 10 square ft of floor space. Always make their loft 3 ft deep (or more!), as when they stretch their wings, three ft allows them to fully extend them without rubbing anything.

also give them an aviary to get some sun and bathe.

I recommend bare wood floors and sealing it daily for droppings. My birds for the most part stay healthy that way.

check your other thread for more advice!

As someone who has only had chickens, I'm very used to pine shavings XD They really dont' need any bedding to absorb moisture and stuff? Not trying to question your reliability, just in SHOCK.

 

[backyard pigeons]

As someone who has only had chickens, I'm very used to pine shavings XD They really dont' need any bedding to absorb moisture and stuff? Not trying to question your reliability, just in SHOCK.

Well, in my opinion bedding just hides the droppings, but there still there building up moisture, and in return, ammonia. But with bare floors, if cleaned daily, this doesn't happen. But, I have raise healthy birds in both so it's up to you.

 

[black_cat]

Loft contender #3. Only 45$. dimensions unknown.