Pigeons Wanted with a few questions...

[duckboatprincess]

I have a few questions real quick. My dad and I have had pigeons on and off since I was a little kid and he raised them as a kid as well. We are going to getting back into having pigeons shortly (hopefully I can get my husband into it!), and we're trying to decide what we're going to do with our coop. Our coop is actually the lower half of a barn. Two sides are made of stone and the other two are wood. It's built into a hill, which I think will help regulate temperatures. We always used ground corn cobs for our floor covering but I'm thinking about using sand. I think it'd be easier to clean (almost like a cat litter box?) and help drain any moisture that gets into the barn sometimes during a lot of rain or the snow thaw. Has anyone else used it?

Also, what do you all use for nest boxes? In our old coop, we built a wall of them but it was impossible to keep clean so I'm trying to think of something else. We've used milk crates before, but I don't know if we're going to do that again. It's harder than you'd think to find them!

That being said, my dad is looking into getting some rollers, but I'd like to get some nuns and modenas. I just can't seem to find any! Does anyone know of a good place to get birds online or in Michigan?

Thanks in advance!

 

[Teach97]

I use sand. have found that the droppings make for a great cover though once they dry out...

for nesting stuff I use dog food bowls...cheap and round so eggs don't get lost in corners. just remember not to put them to close together as pigeons get territorial. Walls between nests really helps. I also have used the milk crates (go to garage sales and auctions...amazing what you find. I also have a few old pet cariers that don't have doors or are cracked...folks give them away!

I have modenas. not near but I can ship...birds would be low cost but shipping isn't!

 

[Mary Of Exeter]

I agree with Teach. One thing I would like to add though, is that when water gets in, you'll want to clean out the droppings so they don't harbor bacteria. Droppings are basically harmless unless they get/stay wet. Corn cob bedding works well too. If you have any around you can mix that with the sand. Sand is probably a lot cheaper and has better drainage.

 

[franciscreek]

You can find some of the hard to find birds on slobberknockerlofts auction and sale pages

 

[sourland]

Wish you lived closer. I would supply you and your dad with all the rollers that you wanted. I always used the crushed corncob bedding, but it has become very expensive around here. I am now using the pelleted pine bedding used for horses. It is the best bedding that I have ever used in my lofts.

 

[Lofty Dreams]

I just have a dirt floor. For the nests I use hay I had the the best luck.

 

[duckboatprincess]

Oh okay... I never thought of the horse bedding. I'm not sure what corncob is running here anymore. I wonder if the sand would help with Pigeon Fancier's Lung? Anyone know?

I just checked out Slobberknocker's. I didn't realize just how expensive it is to ship birds! I can't decide what kind of pigeons I want. My dad is going to get rollers and homers, but I want like nuns, modenas, or capuchines, or something. I don't know!

 

[sourland]

Foy's Pigeon Supplies sells a cannister type mask that I use when working in my lofts. Pigeon lung is a real concern. Glad that you are aware of it. I know several homing pigeon racers that were careless and had to give up the sport because of pigeon lung.