Pigeon Talk

[biophiliac]

She really is a sweet little thing. When held her earlier and she buried her head inbetween my arm and my side! She just stayed there! She is very good. Considering she is a feral she doesn't act it. I think they know when they're hurt and are being helped.

I wish Doba was smart like that. She is my most skittish bird and I have adopted a hands off approach except for a dose of Aconite and a dose of Arnica. I admit I wasn't able to get a good view of her wound as she would tuck in her neck. Now that she is outside in good light I see that that back of her head was scalped more than I thought. It does seem to be healing well, nicely scabbed over and the loose feather sloughed off on their own. She was acting well when I had her inside as to eating, drinking, preening, etc.
I am a bit concerned today as I don't think she's eating much, she had a 30° temp drop when I brought her out yesterday and I thought it would be okay. But I would expect her to eat more esp in the cold. I do feel like she is not quite healed enough to go to the loft.

 

[CCUK]

I wish Doba was smart like that. She is my most skittish bird and I have adopted a hands off approach except for a dose of Aconite and a dose of Arnica. I admit I wasn't able to get a good view of her wound as she would tuck in her neck. Now that she is outside in good light I see that that back of her head was scalped more than I thought. It does seem to be healing well, nicely scabbed over and the loose feather sloughed off on their own. She was acting well when I had her inside as to eating, drinking, preening, etc.
I am a bit concerned today as I don't think she's eating much, she had a 30° temp drop when I brought her out yesterday and I thought it would be okay. But I would expect her to eat more esp in the cold. I do feel like she is not quite healed enough to go to the loft.View attachment 1562591

That's good she's healing well. It's probably better to keep her separate for a while longer. You can always take her out in the day and bring her back in at night. Did you use any manuka honey on her wound?
I'm not sure how this one will acclimatise when she can go out. It's started turning cold, wet and miserable here. In 4-6 weeks it's going to be worse.

 

[CCUK]

I'm eyeballing these:

https://www.foyspigeonsupplies.com/grills-and-grates/3302-large-heavy-duty-floor-grate

Only annoyance would be trying to plan the loft size around the size of them.

They look good. At least with them you can take them out to clean them. It will be easier than fixed mesh.

 

[Pyxis]

Eh, I might just go with a plain wood floor and a scraper. It would be cheaper, that's for sure, lol.

 

[sourland]

I'm eyeballing these:

https://www.foyspigeonsupplies.com/grills-and-grates/3302-large-heavy-duty-floor-grate

Only annoyance would be trying to plan the loft size around the size of them.

You can use this idea and make your own floor grates using wire mesh and 2 X 4 pieces. Placed over bedding (I used crushed corn cob ) they can be made in sections and removed when bedding is removed. Such flooring cuts down on the number of hens pairing up during separation of breeders as they have no floor area to nest in. I don't remember the name of the corn cob product, but it was very dust free and very pricey too.

 

[biophiliac]

um hello! i was wondering if you can teach me about pigeons? i reeeeeeally want some and i want to train some homing pigeons but should i start off with some thing easier? thanks!

You can learn a lot hanging around with us in the pigeon forum and there are many youtube videos about caring for and training them. And my advice is get homers!

 

[Pyxis]

You can use this idea and make your own floor grates using wire mesh and 2 X 4 pieces. Placed over bedding (I used crushed corn cob ) they can be made in sections and removed when bedding is removed. Such flooring cuts down on the number of hens pairing up during separation of breeders as they have no floor area to nest in. I don't remember the name of the corn cob product, but it was very dust free and very pricey too.

I like this idea. Do you think horse stall bedding would work as an alternative to corn cob?

 

[sourland]

I like this idea. Do you think horse stall bedding would work as an alternative to corn cob?

Are you talking about the pelleted pine product ? I did use that, but it tended to break up and become dusty.

 

[biophiliac]

That's good she's healing well. It's probably better to keep her separate for a while longer. You can always take her out in the day and bring her back in at night. Did you use any manuka honey on her wound?
I'm not sure how this one will acclimatise when she can go out. It's started turning cold, wet and miserable here. In 4-6 weeks it's going to be worse.

I didn't use it but definitely would in lieu of an antibiotic ointment if I thought infection was a concern or if I thought it needed dressing. I'm going to get some to have on hand.

I think I might bring her in tonight so she doesn't expend too much energy staying warm...next I have to work on acclimatizing myself! lol

 

[WVduckchick]

I'm eyeballing these:

https://www.foyspigeonsupplies.com/grills-and-grates/3302-large-heavy-duty-floor-grate

Only annoyance would be trying to plan the loft size around the size of them.

Those look pretty neat! Wonder if building a few individual squares from 2x2’s, attach hardware cloth on one side, lay them on the ground, the wire would be 2” off the ground. I guess they could even be made with legs. But they would be moveable to shovel out from under. Hmmmmmmm

I wish Doba was smart like that. She is my most skittish bird and I have adopted a hands off approach except for a dose of Aconite and a dose of Arnica. I admit I wasn't able to get a good view of her wound as she would tuck in her neck. Now that she is outside in good light I see that that back of her head was scalped more than I thought. It does seem to be healing well, nicely scabbed over and the loose feather sloughed off on their own. She was acting well when I had her inside as to eating, drinking, preening, etc.
I am a bit concerned today as I don't think she's eating much, she had a 30° temp drop when I brought her out yesterday and I thought it would be okay. But I would expect her to eat more esp in the cold. I do feel like she is not quite healed enough to go to the loft.View attachment 1562591

Gosh, she’s pretty!