Pigeon parents and squabs

[CCUK]

I have a bit of a problem. I have two pairs of pigeons sat on eggs, well one now pair has hatched yesterday and today. Great! Problem is I cannot get near them. I know it is instinct to protect there young but I'm going to need to ring them in the next couple of days. The parents went crazy when I went near the nest and I'm worried about them hurting the babies when they launch into this tirade of flapping and pecking. Also I don't want to get hurt!!! Will the squabs be OK with the patents attacking me like this and should I man up and take the pain?! Or is there a sneaky method to doing this?

 

[Kiki]

Gloves, arm pads and helmet?

I hope things work out smoothly for you all.
@biophiliac might be able to help.

 

[CCUK]

Full on riot gear! Never had a broody hen like this!

 

[biophiliac]

I have a bit of a problem. I have two pairs of pigeons sat on eggs, well one now pair has hatched yesterday and today. Great! Problem is I cannot get near them. I know it is instinct to protect there young but I'm going to need to ring them in the next couple of days. The parents went crazy when I went near the nest and I'm worried about them hurting the babies when they launch into this tirade of flapping and pecking. Also I don't want to get hurt!!! Will the squabs be OK with the patents attacking me like this and should I man up and take the pain?! Or is there a sneaky method to doing this?

I have been banding mine on day 6. When I banded on day 5 the bands came off(or parents removed them) overnight,
I have some that peck and flap at me but it really doesn't hurt. The parents have not injured the babies during these 'tantrums'. When you remove a baby to check or band just slide your hand under the sitter and cover the baby with your hand as you remove it so the parent doesn't accidentally peck the baby while aiming for you. Fwiw I have delicate 'old lady' skin on my arms and the hardest pecks never drew blood. I find it kind of amusing that they think they will do battle with me!
Good luck my friend!

 

[biophiliac]

I really like this rubber dental pic for pulling the back toe thru the ring. I put a drop of castor oil on the inside of the ring to make it slide on extra easy.

 

[CCUK]

Thanks. I'll leave the welding gloves and screwdriver in the workshop! I just don't want to stress them or cause injury. I never expected that reaction. The rings should be on by Sunday or Monday latest.

 

[biophiliac]

Thanks. I'll leave the welding gloves and screwdriver in the workshop! I just don't want to stress them or cause injury. I never expected that reaction. The rings should be on by Sunday or Monday latest.

I posted about my first banding here...
https://www.backyardchickens.com/threads/pigeon-bulletin-board.1174207/page-26#post-19905482

I was nervous but it's really easy. Just take your time.

 

[thinkyesi]

you can try banding at night when its dark, sometimes the parents wont fight, maybe make a sound or two.
usually though the babies will be fine and the parents wont hurt them. I usually will sneak up on them and grab the parents with two hands quickly and remove them from the box or you can always just wait till both parents are out of the nest eating.
most pigeons wont hurt you with their slaps, I do have a pair that will bruise my hand, they slap with their shoulder bone instead of the wing and it hurts, but they are the only ones that do that. everyone will peak but it wont draw blood, if you are too nervous you can always just put on some gloves for protection.

 

[CCUK]

I posted about my first banding here...
https://www.backyardchickens.com/threads/pigeon-bulletin-board.1174207/page-26#post-19905482

I was nervous but it's really easy. Just take your time.

Thanks! I feel a bit silly really. I've had chickens bite, peck and twist and I'm not so bothered. But this little pigeon scares the heck out of me!!

you can try banding at night when its dark, sometimes the parents wont fight, maybe make a sound or two.
usually though the babies will be fine and the parents wont hurt them. I usually will sneak up on them and grab the parents with two hands quickly and remove them from the box or you can always just wait till both parents are out of the nest eating.
most pigeons wont hurt you with their slaps, I do have a pair that will bruise my hand, they slap with their shoulder bone instead of the wing and it hurts, but they are the only ones that do that. everyone will peak but it wont draw blood, if you are too nervous you can always just put on some gloves for protection.

I'll probably not wear gloves. Too cumbersome. It might be better later on. When I've looked in and she's not on the nest she jumps straight back on and growls at me! It seems like a right of passage to get a good slap from a pigeon! I'll have to try and video it! Could be something for a clip show!!

 

[LamarshFish]

I have a bit of a problem. I have two pairs of pigeons sat on eggs, well one now pair has hatched yesterday and today. Great! Problem is I cannot get near them. I know it is instinct to protect there young but I'm going to need to ring them in the next couple of days. The parents went crazy when I went near the nest and I'm worried about them hurting the babies when they launch into this tirade of flapping and pecking. Also I don't want to get hurt!!! Will the squabs be OK with the patents attacking me like this and should I man up and take the pain?! Or is there a sneaky method to doing this?

Do not worry, wing slaps and pecks cannot hurt a human.... but your concern that it could hurt the squabs is real. I like to inspect my squabs almost every day. I simply stick my hand under the bird sitting on the squabs and let the bird peck and slap at me, I sort of lift the parent up a bit, but I keep the hand that is going to inspect the squab sort of in a position that also shields the squab from the wing slaps.