Pigeon Questions...

[duckncover]

I may be able to get a pair of pigeons off this guy.

This is what he has...

TIPPLERS, HIGH FLYERS CANADIANS,

BALDHEAD-TUMBLER-ROLLERS

ITALIAN-OWLS

CHINESE-OWLS

NEW YORK BALDHEADS TUMBLERS

NEW YORK FLIGHTING FLIGHTS

WEST-OF-ENGLANDS-BALDHEAD-TUMBLERS


What breed do you suggest I get?

Do I need a loft or can I keep them in a cage? What does a loft do?

I already know that the birds I get won't home but when/if they have young do I have to teach them to home or will they do it themselves?

Does anyone have any pictures of any of these breeds?

Are pigeons' dispositions anything like a doves?

Okay that's it...

Thanks!

 

[BoiseBubba]

Quote:
TIPPLERS, HIGH FLYERS CANADIANS,
ITALIAN-OWLS
CHINESE-OWLS
WEST-OF-ENGLANDS-BALDHEAD-TUMBLERS
NEW YORK BALDHEADS TUMBLERS

the WOE are really friendly, the Owls Tipplers and New Yorks are rare

Go with the Tipplers and WOE.

 

[chilling in muscadine]

I am new to pigeons but you can contact FRCHUCK on this forum. He will be able to answer any questions you have.

 

[duckncover]

Can 2 different breeds reproduce?

I want a "Unique" pigeon...lol.

Are they hard to breed?

 

[nzpouter]

They'll breed with each other, if this is your first pigeons, I suggest avoiding all the owls breed and anything with feathery legs.

Tipplers are high flyers, tumblers roll in the sky when they fly.

 

[Mary Of Exeter]

I suggest either the tipplers, rollers, or flights. NY Flights are very bright and 'different'. They'll also fly for long periods of time, as will tipplers. Rollers will do backflips in mid-flight. All are a joy to watch, and all are hardy, good beginner breeds.


And for the record, all pigeon breeds can cross.

You need a loft if you get any of the breeds I mentioned above. The WOE Tumblers and owls are more show-like than for flying, so something as simple as a rabbit hutch will work for them. But the tipplers, highfliers, other tumblers, and flights are built for flying and lofts make that more easier. Doesn't have to be big and fancy though.

None of these breeds have good homing ability but ALL pigeon breeds have the homing INSTINCT. That means they will automatically come back in the loft after being released, whereas doves and other caged birds would fly away. However, you cannot take any pigeon breeds but the homing pigeon and release them from a distance and expect them to come home. They'll get lost unless they can see the loft or familiar land/birds.

So nope, no teaching involved. All you need to do is keep them in the loft for 2 to 3 weeks before letting them out. Then once you do let them out to fly, make sure they haven't been fed so that when you get ready for them to come in, you can easily trap them back in the loft with some food. I release my birds twice a day for exercise (once before their breakfast, and once before their afternoon meal. pigeons only have to be fed twice a day, at about a tablespoon or two of food per bird. doesn't sound like much, huh?).

 

[ThiefPouter06]

Reminds me of the breeder I got my first pigeons from. I bet they are from NY or NJ. Those are a New Yorks favorite types. I like the NY baldhead tumblers myself but they arent a showable breed unless the NPA has standardized them lately.

here is a link to pics of them
http://www.eggbid.com/listings/details/index.cfm?itemnum=1240814794

here is a link for flying flights
http://flyingflight.8k.com/

tippler links
http://www.tipplers.com/

But I love flights...my first pigeons *sigh*

 

[Okla-doodle-doo]

The Italian owls are pretty rare and the ones I had were very charming birds. I would go with them. Unlike some owls they can feed and raise their own. They are usually pretty tame after they get used to you and will "home" once they start raising babies.