Pigeon Talk

[CCUK]

Where do you intend to keep the Kings, ??? with fantails
I'm Just Thinking Back, about your situation,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,, It all started with ONE LOST PIGEON FINDING YOU
This is the mood at your loft now.

I know! I'd never have believed how completely hooked I am with them now! And to be honest I find them alot easier to look after than the chickens. My wife's uncle, who lives in Germany had Kings. He kept them for their intended purpose though. Them and rabbits. He supplied some local eateries. I'm not too sure without looking into it about keeping Kings. They don't fly much so don't need a conventional loft. They're not really what I'd want but the DW and DS seem to be keen I want to sort the fantails out. I'd prefer to have some pure Indian fantails. I don't know, it's too late in the year to think about all that now. And we still have rabbits taking up valuable loft space!

 

[CCUK]

I considered just putting the plastic all over the entire thing to keep them completely dry but I don't want to cause a lack of ventilation (because the roof is covered too)... plus being in there with it only 75% covered still causes a massive amount of dust to get thrown up any time they fly.
The snow really only collected underneath the two open spots but the rest of the ground was still damp, which is worse to me than the snow.

Yes they need alot of ventilation. So long as the perches are up and there food is staying dry it should be good. I could see all the dust coming out off mine today. It was a scary amount really. The sun was behind the loft and the dust really stood out. I don't think I'd notice it if the sun wasn't where it was. I find that having a solid floor is quite high maintenance. It needs scraping regularly or the pigeons get alot of crud on there feet and it ends up wherever they land. I prefer the mesh floor.

 

[Serin]

Olive's first Christmas, she's keen on all the lights! "Helped" me decorate. Up and down the basement stairs carrying boxes, she hopped after me back andfirth to supervise. She goes up and down steps one at a time. Its so funny... Like she forgets she has wings.

 

[memphis]

LOL! I bet Olive had her beak in the middle of everything! Seems she likes to be in the center of all activity! What a funny bird!

 

[Qwerty3159]

She goes up and down steps one at a time. Its so funny... Like she forgets she has wings.

I saw a feral do that one time going up a giant set of stairs outside a museum lol[/QUOTE]

 

[Pyxis]

I sold the frillbacks; I decided I want to focus on just one breed and make my life easier, at least for now. Down the line maybe I'd add another breed again, but for now my weirdo naked pigeons are good enough, haha.

I'm wondering if I could get them to try another clutch this time of year? Are they triggered by light levels like chickens, or no?

 

[Serin]

Every bird breeds better with longer daylight but with artificial light outside be careful not to suddenly stop it later in winter and trigger a molt in the cold weather.

 

[Pyxis]

Every bird breeds better with longer daylight but with artificial light outside be careful not to suddenly stop it later in winter and trigger a molt in the cold weather.

The tumblers are in the heated garage for the winter I wouldn't want to trigger a molt but if I did, they should be okay in there. It doesn't get below 50.

 

[backyard pigeons]

Sorry to hear about your losses BP. I don't know what to suggest. Mine are just nest in clay bowls with tobacco stalks and straw. I make my own mix for feed from two different mixes. There is nothing on the floor. I do give 11in1 supplements in the water as well. I haven't let much breeding happen this year but I haven't had any problems with the ones I have.

Okay. Thanks. I did away with all the bowls, to see if it makes their sitting job harder. I add ACV to their water twice a week, and probiotics in their water twice a month, and vitamins and minerals supplement to their water twice a month. I might get some tobacco stalks

It was the NPA BPSS national championship show at Barnsley today. It was great. I met the lady I got the archangels from. She had done really well. She had 24 different birds entered in different classes and got a whole bunch of ribbons. One of her archangels was in the championship best in show! I spoke with the president of the archangel club and I'm now a paid up member! There is now 11 of us! It was a brilliant day, we really enjoyed it. My DW and DS have now decided that they want king pigeons! My son wants to keep one in a cat basket in his room! I didn't get alot of pictures but here's a couple.View attachment 1971920 View attachment 1971921 View attachment 1971922 View attachment 1971923 View attachment 1971925 View attachment 1971926 View attachment 1971928 View attachment 1971929 View attachment 1971930 View attachment 1971931 View attachment 1971932 View attachment 1971933

Very cool! Those are some nice looking birds! Post pics when you get some kings.

It's been a beautiful day over here. Clear skies and loads of sunshine. The pigeons have been out for a couple of hours.
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I have also got the cage fitted over the trap for the fantails. They seem to enjoy going into it but are little less convinced about going through the bobwires! They're doing it though. Not bad for day one!
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I have also fitted more clear tarpaulin to the front of the loft. It keeps the rain out and has been keeping the frost at bay! The Archangels are doing well. The two new ones hot have settled in and the smaller one is getting bigger now.
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nice pictures! How many racers do you have?

I sold the frillbacks; I decided I want to focus on just one breed and make my life easier, at least for now. Down the line maybe I'd add another breed again, but for now my weirdo naked pigeons are good enough, haha.

I'm wondering if I could get them to try another clutch this time of year? Are they triggered by light levels like chickens, or no?

I bet they sold quick. I bet you can get another clutch from them.

 

[Pyxis]

I bet they sold quick. I bet you can get another clutch from them.

A 'clutch' for them seems to be one egg; I don't know why. The hen never lays another egg. I'm gonna see about adding a light and see what happens