Raising Squab, old fashioned style?

[Bear Foot Farm]

Quote:
I tried leaving a bird in the trap overnight to lure in the early morning birds, but all it lured in was a fox that got a free meal and bent the doors on the trap.
It would probably work well though if you were doing it during the day, or inside an old building with resident birds

 

[Klorinth]

Here is the first design to include pigeons. You can read the related thread here:
https://www.backyardchickens.com/forum/viewtopic.php?id=117878&p=2

Note the second level windows and communal entrance.

 

[Teach97]

Quote:
I tried leaving a bird in the trap overnight to lure in the early morning birds, but all it lured in was a fox that got a free meal and bent the doors on the trap.
It would probably work well though if you were doing it during the day, or inside an old building with resident birds

good point...pigeon is a trap is even easier than fish in a barrel

 

[ghulst]

In Europe they have breeds that are used as squabs and they are free ranged. They are called Feild pigeons. Last year I had 2 pair of white racing homers and 2 pair of Chex Ice pouters that I gave open loft. The homers raised 20 young and the pouters about 10. They would range in the feilds and were a very nice site to see. I am going to more next year. I do live in the country. They were fun to watch.

 

[Klorinth]

ghulst,

It is exactly because I now live outside the city that I am thinking about this. I have fields and forests surrounding us for as far as the eye can see. I figured that given the space and available food/shelter, it would be a fairly easy and enjoyable thing to try.

 

[greyfields]

Quote:
I was just oging to post about dovecots but see you beat me to it. All the old manor houses have them either on the barns or sometimes on the houses.

In the ruins of old Roman towns they still find the columbaria underground which were used for teh same thing. In more desolate areas, this was the major source of animal protein.

Also from England, they have rooks which are blackbirds. When they hatched young, young boys were sent up to the nests to tie long twine around the babies legs. Then when they needed a rook for "blackbird pie" they would pull the string and down would come the bird, having been fed solely by it's parents.

 

[ghulst]

If I were you i would get some 4 week old homers and get them setted and you would be on your way. Homers raise nice squabs.

 

[velo99]

Homers would be a good start,or catch a few commies. They`ll bring some back. I was also thinking that if you just set it up they might find it if there are some on nearby farms and overpasses.

I have a pair of mondaines for the same purpose. I have space in my new roller loft for three pairs of them.

v99

 

[Klorinth]

Build it and they will come? I like that ! LOL

Talk about minimal input!

I was thinking about the Homer idea. You may be right ghulst. Kind of like the best of both worlds. They would be the most likely to stay rooted to the loft.

Would the wild ones really be attracted? If i were to build the loft on the chicken coop, would they be interested? I am thinking that I will be combining the two, just to maximize resources. I could introduce Homers easily, but would the wild ones still show up?

 

[ThiefPouter06]

I know a guy in Canada who free flies his pigeons and they glean wheat from the nieghbooring fields. They are mostly homers. The homing pigeon flock will range out many miles in a day to find grit and feed. The other breeds tend to not want to range out of sight. Homers would produce a good squab too. remember for squab you want a meaty as possible at weaning time. rollers and other "barnyard crosses" would be too light and not have much meat at 30 days.