Pigeon Talk

[Fields Mountain Farm]

It took me 2-3 weeks to fully get over mine too. The first week was horrid. I still have a nagging cough on occasion. The older I get, the harder it seems so get over the crap.

 

[biophiliac]

Today I was planning to work on the new pigeon setup. But got to talking to hubby about it and he threw out some other ideas, so I’m a bit stumped at the moment.

I can’t decide whether to modify the existing area that I was originally thinking about, or modify the area where the first group is now.

Where they are now is a smaller enclosure, but it is attached to the duck run, which is net-covered, so I could eventually let them fly there. It’s a huge area. Or the other spot is twice the size of the current spot, but does not attach to the duck run. The only way I could let them “out” would be open air, out into my yard. But the enclosed area is large enough for them to fly also, just not as large as the duck run.
If I modify the smaller space they are in now, I would still have the bigger space for extra chickens cockerels, which are occupying it now.

I guess I can still work on the nest cubes today and decide where to install them later.

thinking out loud... I would try to make access to the duck pen which I understand to be a very large flight area, a priority. It seems like an enriched habitat they would enjpy exploring. OTOH - would the duck pond water be a health problem? They will drink some. Mostly we strive to give our birds clean water only. How big is the current enclosure?

 

[slorider18]

@slorider18 good video update! I'm a member of the RPRA which is the UK racing pigeon association. It is the only place I can get rings that are registered to me and if I buy any I can transfer ownership to me for a £2 fee.
Its not much use to you being in the US but here's the link for interest or comparison to the ARPU. https://www.rpra.org/
I get a unique loft no. and if I want to race I must be a member first and then find a local club. Have you vaccinated your birds against PMV? This is also a requirement for racing.
They also do all the one loft races. It's not something I've looked into but I may depending on how this year starts out! That was lucky your bird returned! They do seem quite relaxed and eating from your hand means they are definately comfortable with you. When I feed mine I always shake a can of feed, say 'come on' and make a clicking noise so they associate that with me and that they are going to be fed. I do this every time regardless of wether they are out or in. I have a neighbour with racing pigeons and his loft is probly less than 20m from me so I must do a different call than him for them. He whistles and shouts. I also use aniseed oil in the feed to make them trap faster. Im getting mixed results with that but the best thing is to keep them hungry (not starving!) before you release them. I never feed mine in the morning that I fly them.They may get a few shelless sunflower seeds. They seem to go crazy for them!
This is my loft build. It's not ideal but I only built it as a temporary setup! Well you know how 'permanant' temporary can become! There may be a few ideas that you could use on a larger scale perhaps.
https://www.backyardchickens.com/articles/pigeon-loft-build.74119/
I'm by no means an expert but this is what is working for me at the moment. There can be alot of trial and error and luck can also play a large part. But when you have it all sorted there is nothing more satisfying than watching your hard work come to fruition!

Edit to add.
Here's a link to my thread is started when I first started out. It's a bit of a read but there may be some useful snippets of information. It all started quite by accident really!
UK pigeon owners

Thanks for all of the info. I have found many more links from Europe than the US so I appreciate any help. I'll have to look into that oil as well. Wanting to figure out a good "treat" for them. Today they seemed less eager to let me touch them. Probably a step back from trying to catch them yesterday. Oh well. Slow and steady.

I'll also take a look at the loft plans. I'm working out in my head how I want to attack building a more permanent solution.

 

[Fields Mountain Farm]

That is fascinating!

X2

I didnt expect to end up here tbh but im glad i did . I always wanted to have king pigeons. Big and cuddly. But hard to find. So i started with lots of local breeds such as mardin turkish tumbler , some breed called trakya (a region in turkey) pigeon and carriers.
But after finding kings i sold most of my ofter breed birds since i have small space and kings picks on smaller pairs. I have two pair of kings. One male turkish tumbler that is unable to fly so someone gave to me and his carrier × tumbler mix son. A small but happy group

Nice to meet you!
Would love to see pics of your birds if you get a chance to post some.

Oh, and one of my birds got out today. I thought she would fly back home to her old loft for sure. After lots of whistling and shaking of food in a dish she is safe in our loft. I honestly can't believe it. Not that I'm going to be trying to fly them any time soon but since I had her in my hands I wrote down her band number. She was born 2013. Can't believe she came home. I've only had them about two weeks. Guessing if she had gotten out with another bird they may have left. counting my blessings.

So glad she came home!
Great video update too!

 

[slorider18]

Here is the video of our escaped bird. So glad it came back and we got it in the loft. She eventually flew into my garage through a side door. Once it was in there I knew it was contained which was a huge relief. Then it was just coaxing it down and grabbing it. reflexes like a ninja.

 

[Fields Mountain Farm]

Here is the video of our escaped bird. So glad it came back and we got it in the loft. She eventually flew into my garage through a side door. Once it was in there I knew it was contained which was a huge relief. Then it was just coaxing it down and grabbing it. reflexes like a ninja.

Awesome!!!
And I just love that your daughter is so excitedly involved! Way to go both of you!
Super slow ninja skills...

 

[CCUK]

Here is the video of our escaped bird. So glad it came back and we got it in the loft. She eventually flew into my garage through a side door. Once it was in there I knew it was contained which was a huge relief. Then it was just coaxing it down and grabbing it. reflexes like a ninja.

That is a relief! When I first got boomer she always went into my garage! I think that was because she was in a cage in there before I built the loft. Now they all go back to the loft but if I leave the garage door open they try to go in because they know that's where the food is!!

 

[CCUK]

Pidgy bath day! I had to get a bigger tub for them. It still seems a little small but they love it!!

 

[biophiliac]

I love seeing your flock! @CCUK Bath time always puts a grin on my face.
I am so thankful Doba has regained her ability to bathe.

 

[CCUK]

I love seeing your flock! @CCUK Bath time always puts a grin on my face.
I am so thankful Doba has regained her ability to bathe.

Did you notice boomer @0.22s? Sat on the edge with the red ring. That's good news about doba. Pigeons need to bathe to clean themselves.