Pigeon Talk

[DenverCityCat]

Well, I finally broke down and got some pigeons! Yeah!

I've been breeding chickens and ducks for a few years now (also previously had turkey and quail) and I have 3 budgies indoors, but I decided I wanted some pigeons. So I found a fella close to me that had some fantails, which were the first pigeon to ever catch my eye and make me say "I want some of those!". Turned out that he also had a pair of Satinettes, and once I looked those up, I was hooked! So I met up with him last weekend. I got the pair of Satinettes, and he also had some parlor rollers. After looking at the fantails, I decided I liked the parlor rollers better, so I came home with the pair of Satinettes and a pair of parlor rollers.

Being not so new to the chicken world, but brand new to the pigeon world, I'd like to invite you to share your experiences with me. Major differences in raising pigeons as opposed to chickens, etc, etc. Especially pigeon specific stuff that non-pigeon people probably never thought of, etc. I've been reading many of the pigeon related threads here, but hate to hijack them with a bunch of my questions, so here we go..... tell me, tell me.

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I'm also twisting the arm (*wink, wink*) of @Fields Mountain Farm and @shawluvsbirds to get some pigeons too, so we decided we could hopefully learn this stuff together.

Those are some cool looking birds ya got there-

 

[KiwiandPeachthePigeons]

The pigeons are out roaming right now.

 

[KiwiandPeachthePigeons]

What does it mean when I pigeon nibbles on you? Mine do it all the time.

 

[biophiliac]

What does it mean when I pigeon nibbles on you? Mine do it all the time.

Birds have sensory organs in the lower part of the beak so I believe when they 'nibble' they are exploring like we would do with our fingers. When I sit in the aviary birds, especially young ones, will come to nibble on my shoes, socks, pant legs, etc.

 

[backyard pigeons]

What does it mean when I pigeon nibbles on you? Mine do it all the time.

the young ones do it, I beleive looking for where to put their beak to feed. The older ones... Just go with bios answer!

Birds have sensory organs in the lower part of the beak so I believe when they 'nibble' they are exploring like we would do with our fingers. When I sit in the aviary birds, especially young ones, will come to nibble on my shoes, socks, pant legs, etc.

you should be a pigeon biologist! well, you already are.

 

[RoostersAreAwesome]

What does it mean when I pigeon nibbles on you? Mine do it all the time.

I always assumed that my pigeon was trying to preen me when he did it.

 

[backyard pigeons]

I always assumed that my pigeon was trying to preen me when he did it.

It might be, if it's the only bird and sees you as a mate. Hopefully he doesn't take it to far, and 'feed' you in your mouth, nose, ear, etc. I had one do that.

 

[biophiliac]

I always assumed that my pigeon was trying to preen me when he did it.

Yes, it can be that too!

 

[KiwiandPeachthePigeons]

The pigeons love for me to “elevator” them where they want to go. I’ll offer them a hand and thet climb on and I take them where they want to go!

 

[KiwiandPeachthePigeons]

Yesterday Nugget did some laps around the yard. He didn’t go too high or fast but it was still awesome to watch.