Pigeons in winter

[cavemanrich]

How many pigeons are you looking to get? Also good to make an aviary attached to the loft. It can be a large Dog cage. All depends on how many pigeons you will be keeping. Do you intend to loft fly your pets?? Aviary can have a door to be locked up at night. Night is also time when pigeons sleep, and drafts to be avoided. During nice winter days, pigeons will venture out into open aviary and be fine.
This was my aviary. I would open top when I let them out to loft fly. The front also opened. (where I took the pix from) Bottom left a small port door that I would close for the night can be seen.
I like using natural branches to give pigeons a feeling of sitting in a tree.

 

[backyard pigeons]

Yes, it could cloud up, you're right. Maybe glass....?

pigeons do produce lots of dandruff from their feathers, so it may cloud up every week, but a quick cleaning will fix that.

 

[poeticchampions]

How many pigeons are you looking to get? Also good to make an aviary attached to the loft. It can be a large Dog cage. All depends on how many pigeons you will be keeping. Do you intend to loft fly your pets?? Aviary can have a door to be locked up at night. Night is also time when pigeons sleep, and drafts to be avoided. During nice winter days, pigeons will venture out into open aviary and be fine.
This was my aviary. I would open top when I let them out to loft fly. The front also opened. (where I took the pix from) Bottom left a small port door that I would close for the night can be seen.
I like using natural branches to give pigeons a feeling of sitting in a tree.
View attachment 2318370

Not many, maybe 4 or so and not too sure if she intends to fly them or just have a larger flying area.
That's a nice set up you have. I'll show the wife what you have. Details!
Thanks!

 

[cavemanrich]

When I had pigeons that were not homeset yet, I used to take them and let them fly around in a screen house in back yard during day. They were quite safe in there even though my kitties did lick their paws when they got near. They were not able to enter, since I secured bottom skirt to ground with tent stakes. In evening, I returned them to loft.
You may consider something like this free-standing, or attached to your loft.
I had a number of tree branches inside to simulate a tree atmosphere. Pigeons did fly from one branch to next, and then just rested/chilled. I had feed and water inside on ground.

 

[DenverCityCat]

I have a loft outside I built, then I built one inside my heated garage for my Pet pigeon & his girlfriend. The outside I have 5 Pigeons total, 3 makes, 2 females. Im very glad someone started this thread considering I'm in Denver & the weather is starting to change-

I let the 2 in my garage out quite a bit, they love going both outside & also flying in my garage. (I got a fairly huge garage, 3 car, with office) I've been really worred too about the Winter as I don't want them to suffer at all either. (I was thinking of bringing the outside loft into my garage too as its heated. My garage door faces east & was thinking they could fly out that way or I could make a door they can access the garage from.

I built the loft before I knew much, but seems OK, just not sure about the cold- Bottom is screen but I got 3/4 of it covered with plywood on the inside- It's got 2 doors, but I was thinking of perhaps covering them with a wool blanket type door, but after reading perhaps plexiglass is the way to go..

Anyhow, thanx for all the info, I really love this site & everyone on it!

(Pic, this is the outside that holds 5 birds, they seem to like it. Second pic houses my pet & his mate) 1st one outside has a fan that I can control the heat with, garage has heat & AC so thats not a problem, inside has lights- Behind the right wall on the inside one is the nest area, It was fairly dark so I added a few small led lights that are timed, Hah, Anyhow, ya Im a noob, but I hope Im at least moving in a good direction.

 

[cavemanrich]

DenverCityCat

You do whatever you think is best for your pigeon pets.
Just wanted to share some thoughts and knowledge that applies to chickens as well.
Pigeons can tolerate cold quite well. Wild, and feral pigeons live throughout the world in colder areas than your location. If you decide to bring the outdoor loft inside, that is fine, but do remember that the pigeons will be less hardy to cold, living in garage. That translates to keeping them inside until early spring.
The pigeons that are outdoors, gradually get accustomed to the lowering temps, and acclimate accordingly. That means they will grow appropriate down in their coats.
Pigeons living indoors, or in warm climate have less down in their coats.
This pretty much sums it up like this;;
If you leave them outdoors, they will be fine, You do need to make sure they have feed and liquid water available.
If you decide to bring them indoors, you will need to have them inside until spring temps become somewhat mild.

The way this applies to chickens is such. There are Cold Hardy Breeds, and Non Cold Hardy.
Lets just focus on the Cold Hardy breed. I have both BTW.
My personal way that I handle the winters here in Chicago.
Usually around Thanksgiving, I take my flock of pet chickens and put them in their Winter housing inside my garage loft. I provide them with 12 hours of light on a timer. Water is in heated containers so it is liquid. Feed is available always on a continuous supply. If outdoor temps really drop low, I will heat garage up to about 32°F and try to maintain just above freezing, air temperatures. My chickens are hardy to a MEDIUM level. If I decided to move chickens back to their regular coop during mid winter colds, they could possibly perish.
Another reason for the way I handle winter my way is; amount of daylight during winter. Generally leave for work when it is still dark, and return from work when it is already dark. That puts the chicken chores (opening up coop, and closing up coop) in time-frame when we are not at home.
When they are in their winter housing, I just go in once daily after work, and make sure there is water, and feed available.

 

[poeticchampions]

I have a loft outside I built, then I built one inside my heated garage for my Pet pigeon & his girlfriend. The outside I have 5 Pigeons total, 3 makes, 2 females. Im very glad someone started this thread considering I'm in Denver & the weather is starting to change-

I let the 2 in my garage out quite a bit, they love going both outside & also flying in my garage. (I got a fairly huge garage, 3 car, with office) I've been really worred too about the Winter as I don't want them to suffer at all either. (I was thinking of bringing the outside loft into my garage too as its heated. My garage door faces east & was thinking they could fly out that way or I could make a door they can access the garage from.

I built the loft before I knew much, but seems OK, just not sure about the cold- Bottom is screen but I got 3/4 of it covered with plywood on the inside- It's got 2 doors, but I was thinking of perhaps covering them with a wool blanket type door, but after reading perhaps plexiglass is the way to go..

Anyhow, thanx for all the info, I really love this site & everyone on it!

(Pic, this is the outside that holds 5 birds, they seem to like it. Second pic houses my pet & his mate) 1st one outside has a fan that I can control the heat with, garage has heat & AC so thats not a problem, inside has lights- Behind the right wall on the inside one is the nest area, It was fairly dark so I added a few small led lights that are timed, Hah, Anyhow, ya Im a noob, but I hope Im at least moving in a good direction.

Nice set-up!

 

[poeticchampions]

pigeons do produce lots of dandruff from their feathers, so it may cloud up every week, but a quick cleaning will fix that.

Didn't know about the dander, great point.
I actually was thinking the plexiglass might cloud up from weathering. I'm thinking glass that I could remove would work too. Or maybe just go the easier route and use some heavy plastic! Either way, this all makes much more sense. And glad to know pigeons are so hardy in our winters.
Thanks for your insights.
J