Pigeon Talk

[Qwerty3159]

Bad news today. I checked on the squabs last night at 10 PM both were covered by mom and warm. It was below zero last night and one of them managed to crawl out of the nest and ended up freezing to death. It had a full crop and it was the bigger of the two. The survivor is healthy and active and I replaced the bowl with a wider and deeper one.
Bio, you mentioned bringing them inside at night. How do you go about that? I think I'd like to try it at least until they feather out, that way if it gets away from mom or dad in the dark it's not doomed to freeze.

 

[backyard pigeons]

Wow @backyard pigeons, that must have had you breathing hard and raised your pulse!

.sure did! You don't have many BOP issues do you? What is your flock up to now? I would love to see pics of your feral hen...

Bad news today. I checked on the squabs last night at 10 PM both were covered by mom and warm. It was below zero last night and one of them managed to crawl out of the nest and ended up freezing to death. It had a full crop and it was the bigger of the two. The survivor is healthy and active and I replaced the bowl with a wider and deeper one.
Bio, you mentioned bringing them inside at night. How do you go about that? I think I'd like to try it at least until they feather out, that way if it gets away from mom or dad in the dark it's not doomed to freeze.

I am so sorry. It's never fun to lose a squab. Hopefully the other one makes it.

 

[biophiliac]

Bad news today. I checked on the squabs last night at 10 PM both were covered by mom and warm. It was below zero last night and one of them managed to crawl out of the nest and ended up freezing to death. It had a full crop and it was the bigger of the two. The survivor is healthy and active and I replaced the bowl with a wider and deeper one.
Bio, you mentioned bringing them inside at night. How do you go about that? I think I'd like to try it at least until they feather out, that way if it gets away from mom or dad in the dark it's not doomed to freeze.

I go out after dark and grab them. Have a second 'nest' inside. When they are not yet walking you can use anything, a shoebox or something that size. Now they're bigger I put them in a med size pet carrier. If its not too cold they go back out for the day. Mom, the red feral, must marvel at the 'nanny service' available at DragonLoft. LOL Its been so cold I kept them inside during the day yesterday. At some point the parents may just decide to move on and leave them to me to finish. Originally these were brought in to feed as they weren't getting enough, esp. the smaller one. It was around 5°F so seemed best to just keep them inside at least for the night. Parents seemed happy to see them the next day. First timers just weren't feeding them enough for the cold. Burns at lot of calories to stay warm when it's that cold.

I've got vids of hand feeds and banding these guys which I'll try to post soon.

 

[biophiliac]

.sure did! You don't have many BOP issues do you? What is your flock up to now? I would love to see pics of your feral hen...

I am so sorry. It's never fun to lose a squab. Hopefully the other one makes it.

I'll have to get some more pics of her with the new tablet since my camera doesn't connect. Will do soon.

 

[CCUK]

Bad news today. I checked on the squabs last night at 10 PM both were covered by mom and warm. It was below zero last night and one of them managed to crawl out of the nest and ended up freezing to death. It had a full crop and it was the bigger of the two. The survivor is healthy and active and I replaced the bowl with a wider and deeper one.
Bio, you mentioned bringing them inside at night. How do you go about that? I think I'd like to try it at least until they feather out, that way if it gets away from mom or dad in the dark it's not doomed to freeze.

Sorry to hear that I guess with it being the larger it was also stronger hence how it got out the nest. Hopefully the other will be OK. As sad as it is it will have a better chance on its own.

 

[WVduckchick]

*update*

This morning the bird is doing better. He has eaten a little, but I haven't seen him drink. He has started putting some weight on his leg, which is awesome. He is a bit mellow after all this, it is not in shock I don't think. I Think I will keep him in for one more night, than move him out in a separate cage in the loft.

*The full story*

I was really rushed to explain what all happened after it first happened. So, I was flying 7 pure white homing pigeons. 2 of them had never been out before. They were doing great. They all flew a bit, and then would land on a tree or the loft. They are all new, clumsy flyers, and so they are super loud when flying. I kept think with all the noise and white birds I was gonna get a hawk attack... I did. One of the whites who had never been out ever before flew up into a low branch of a pine tree. A hear a whizz go over me and look up to see a, I now believe, a sharp skinned hawk going after the bird. The bird saw it, and the poor thing just kinda hovered there cunfused as to what to do. The hawk grabbed it, and took off. what a first fly for the little guy. It must have been a young one, because it could hardly carry the pigeon. It slowly sailed down as I was chasing and screaming at it. It finally hit the ground and I spooked it off,along with the pigeon. The pigeon took off out of sight. I thought for sure he was a gonner. I ran back I my loft and called in the other 6 birds. They were like statues. They would not move to my whistle. I caught a few to speed things up. after about 10 min they were all safe inside. I then ran to the front of our house and looked around. I was lucky enough to see it on my neighbors roof. After about an hour of trying to coax it down with food and a crate of pigeons, it came down. I netted it easily. It was stained red all on its back. With a leg that didn't move at all. And there is the story... I will keep the whites locked in for 3 days hoping that the hawk will not try again. The racers will fly rain or shine as always.

oh my goodness. I was on the edge of my seat even reading about it.

I have a couple hawks that have been keeping my ducks in a pen. They only come out when I’m outside, and a couple times a day to eat and mill around.

Bad news today. I checked on the squabs last night at 10 PM both were covered by mom and warm. It was below zero last night and one of them managed to crawl out of the nest and ended up freezing to death. It had a full crop and it was the bigger of the two. The survivor is healthy and active and I replaced the bowl with a wider and deeper one.
Bio, you mentioned bringing them inside at night. How do you go about that? I think I'd like to try it at least until they feather out, that way if it gets away from mom or dad in the dark it's not doomed to freeze.

so sad!
I will keep all this in mind when mine hatch in a couple weeks, so your loss is at least good info for the rest of us. I’m so sorry for your loss though.

 

[biophiliac]

.sure did! You don't have many BOP issues do you? What is your flock up to now? I would love to see pics of your feral hen...

I am so sorry. It's never fun to lose a squab. Hopefully the other one makes it.

Re BOP, the red tails aren't really able to catch my birds when flying but have taken a few by ambush whilst they were on the ground.

I posted several pics of the red feral hen on this other thread:
https://www.backyardchickens.com/threads/pigeon-bulletin-board.1174207/page-126#post-21885465

@biophiliac yeah I used to breed rats so I remember the dangers of cotton, I have it set up so the baby is on shredded paper and I have a smushed wad of cotton that shall be acting as comfort/warmth to set on top of said baby rather than under where feet and toes can get tangled. and yes I plan to take a pic every day from hatch once I have a new phone...(amazon is being sucky acting like a week delay on shipping is acceptable!) and ill notes my feed measurements and food mixes and consistency as I go along. I have a 'Baby Board' ive set up with my baseline feed measurements and times and consistency and all other things necessary in my bathroom, no doubt ill take a pen to it as I go along for any differences or alterations I find work better. Currently I have all natural yogurt ready along with some organic baby food, Exact, 3 types of feeding devices depending on which works out best, plus a thermometer for food temp, a heat pad, and i've alerted work I may be bringing a pigeon to work in the near future 0-0. Oh and a old dog crate which will act as a "Cage" if we can make it to the mobility stage!

A fellow rat lover!

 

[CCUK]

I put the bath in the Archangels loft today. The two older ones had been using the water drinker and had soaked there heads! The two younger ones haven't quite got how to have a bath without looking like they have drowned themselves

 

[biophiliac]

I put the bath in the Archangels loft today. The two older ones had been using the water drinker and had soaked there heads! The two younger ones haven't quite got how to have a bath without looking like they have drowned themselves
View attachment 1985573

Very cute!
Happy Solstice + the seasonal holiday of your choice to all!

 

[CCUK]

Very cute!
Happy Solstice + the seasonal holiday of your choice to all!

does that mean the days are getting longer! Half 3 and its nearly dark here at the moment