Pigeon Talk

[SpotTheCat]

Hey pigeon people, can any of you help this person?
https://www.backyardchickens.com/threads/pigeon-talk.1276029/

That link just takes me back to the start of this thread

 

[sourland]

That link just takes me back to the start of this thread

Me too.

 

[Misfits Farm 92]

Will there be daylight available to your pigeon loft occupants??

Instead of just a pop door, can I suggest you make a Landing base with bob wires. This way pigeons can associate it much better as their entrance point. Ask questions if what I wrote is not understanding. I can post pix of what I'm trying to convey.

Yeah there'll be daylight. I'll see if I can get a landing base and bobwires. How easy are they to attach?

 

[casportpony]

My bad!
https://www.backyardchickens.com/threads/new-pigeons.1448410/

 

[cavemanrich]

Yeah there'll be daylight. I'll see if I can get a landing base and bobwires. How easy are they to attach?

Not very hard at all. If you purchased one of these, or made one yourself. attaching is simple. You can purchase just the bob wires as many as needed to your entrance.

 

[backyard pigeons]

What is everyone using for individual feed/water dishes in their breeding cages? Trying to be resourceful and reuse rather than buy. Was thinking maybe a tin can cut in half for the feeder with the top edge rolled so nothing sharp. Any other ideas?

For water, I am using some rabbit bowls. They were on sale for only like $0.30 at petsmart, so I got a dozen. Rabbit bowls are great, because they are heavy so when the pigeons stand on the edge like they ALL have to do, it doesn't tip. For feed I just use small clay bases for pits. they are cheap, and work very well. Good luck, your dedication to the sport is admirable seeing how you have mostly been on your own, with little help from a pier\mentor.

So there's been a change in plans again... It's good this time though! Since I decided not to keep hatching more chickens and just keep the ones I already have for eggs and meat, I now have an empty chick pen that's inside a nice little barn! All I'll need to do is add some perches, add some nesting boxes, and cut a hole in the wire to attach a makeshift pop door in order to make it ready for pigeons!

exciting! What breeds do you plan to keep?

 

[Misfits Farm 92]

exciting! What breeds do you plan to keep?

I'll definitely be getting homers but I won't likely keep another breed unless one of the three breeds that I originally wanted happens to be for sale in my state (very unlikely since it's been two years and no sign of jacobins, capuchins, or modenas.)

 

[Pigeon28]

People who use the dollar tree dog bowls as nesting bowls. Do you weigh them down? Also what do you use for nesting material in them. They are so slick I feel like anything would get pushed right out. Sand paper to add some texture?

 

[biophiliac]

People who use the dollar tree dog bowls as nesting bowls. Do you weigh them down? Also what do you use for nesting material in them. They are so slick I feel like anything would get pushed right out. Sand paper to add some texture?

I do not weigh them down. I have placed them in a back corner of the nest box and haven't had trouble. If they were getting moved, I think I would screw down a scrap of wood to hold it in place.

Nesting materials:
Tobacco stems. Advantages - mimics the type of natural materials pigeons seek, discourages insects/parasites, provides good traction, available from pigeon suppliers such as Foys or New England pigeon supply. Disadvantage - cost.
Pine needles, the soft, longer ones that are shed.
Wood chips. Very messy, not ideal.
Thin flexible twigs. IMO this is the best material for providing the traction and keeping the nest from becoming a poopy mess. It is what my birds gather exclusively when allowed to choose what's available outside the loft. I sometimes gather a pile and put it in the loft or aviary for them to select from.
I have successfully raised youngsters on all of the above, but twigs are the best. Tobacco stems are good too but expensive. Pigeon supply houses also sell nest bowl liners, again, if you want to spend money.

 

[biophiliac]

I also drilled some holes in the bottom of the dog bowlsj for ventilation.