Pigeon Talk

[cavemanrich]

If/when I build an aviary for giant runt pigeons how big would it need to be? I've only seen giant runt pigeons in person once.

All depends on how many you want to raise. Build with as large of floor plan as you see reasonable. Those GIANTS don't fly much.
An option is to build a loft, (what ever size you choose) and a tractor style aviary attached or movable. Not much height needed.

 

[Misfits Farm 92]

Thanks. I think I'll get six of them but I want to make sure there's extra room. I wouldn't dare put the giant pigeons with my quail but I think they'll go beside the quail so that I only have to build three new sides and a roof. If they can't go beside the quail pen then they will have to go in the backyard beside the goats but then it's harder to take care of them. I think that I'm going to get the giant runt pigeons first because they'll be easiest to find and the fancier breeds would probably need to go inside the barn or garage during winter unless I build build huge lofts for them. Don't worry a quail barn will be built next spring so later in the year we should be able to get of the fancy pigeon breeds. If my plans for how everything will be arranged are correct there should quite a bit of extra space for pigeons since quail only use the ground. None of these plans are completely final yet though. I feel like I've been typing forever!

 

[Imammusa]

This is mom she look like this because she is about to lay an egg

And this is dad looks like a blue Cheque with a lot of white

but the baby is a dark blue bar with two white flight feathers .
Is it normal that they give birth to different colored babies??

 

[Pigeon28]

Who feeds grit with the food and who has a separate bowl/dish for it? I have mine in a grit feeder with oyster shell and it never looks like they touch it?

 

[cavemanrich]

Who feeds grit with the food and who has a separate bowl/dish for it? I have mine in a grit feeder with oyster shell and it never looks like they touch it?

As long as it is available is the important part. Pigeons, just like chickens do know what they need.
You can throw some of the grit into the feed bowl. If pigeon thinks he does not need it, then it will just be left .
On the subject of calcium,, (oyster shells), Pigeons do not need as much as chickens. They lay only a few eggs compared to chickens. The calcium is available in food they eat naturally. (pigeon seeds, etc.)
My chickens get much of their calcium from green plants as they graze in the back yard. I offer them Oyster shells free-choice, as well. The dish goes down quite slow. I have layers and non layers, so feed my hens Alflock. @ 2% calcium.
Peeps with mostly laying hens, choose layer feed @4% calcium for that reason.

 

[Pyxis]

The newbies are in the loft now. Pictures coming soonish.

Red boy seems to think he wants Sundae. Well, he's gonna have to pick literally any other hen, lol. If he seriously keeps trying that, I'll have to pick a hen and separate him with her until they pair.

 

[biophiliac]

View attachment 2425745This is mom she look like this because she is about to lay an egg
View attachment 2425747And this is dad looks like a blue Cheque with a lot of whiteView attachment 2425748but the baby is a dark blue bar with two white flight feathers .
Is it normal that they give birth to different colored babies??

The baby has the same base color as the parents - blue/black. The differences in appearance is due to other genes that affect pattern and cover over the color with white. There are only three base colors, ash-red, blue/black and brown.

 

[biophiliac]

The newbies are in the loft now. Pictures coming soonish.

Red boy seems to think he wants Sundae. Well, he's gonna have to pick literally any other hen, lol. If he seriously keeps trying that, I'll have to pick a hen and separate him with her until they pair.

And you don't want him to pair with Sundae? Because she is too young? ... Child brides are a thing with pigeons! Can't wait to see the pics!

 

[Pyxis]

And you don't want him to pair with Sundae? Because she is too young? ... Child brides are a thing with pigeons! Can't wait to see the pics!

Because she is a feral, and I want him to have babies with an NN hen to make me more reds, haha.

 

[biophiliac]

Because she is a feral, and I want him to have babies with an NN hen to make me more reds, haha.

Yikes! I missed/forgot you had a feral. I thought Sundae was a baby from your NNs.