Rescued a pigeon, next to no knowledge

[Quacking Pigeon]

@Hokum Coco @cavemanrich @backyard pigeons @biophiliac

 

[ChickenTenderKesha]

You could catch it if you want too. It does seem old enough to feed itself and escape predators if necessary. I would keep it separate from your pigeon to quarantine it. Also, pigeons don’t necessarily need other pigeons as lone birds do become quite tame.

The two juveniles are from the same nest/nesting area (I assumed they were siblings/hatch mates at least) so I didn’t think I’d have to quarantine unless it’s because the one is injured? This second juvenile hadn’t left the shed until I scared it yesterday when looking for the raccoon..

Could you upload a picture of your chooks coop? Also, what’s weather like there? If it snows I’m not very sure about what the pen should require. I do know people put a clear plastic on the mesh and put straw on the floor and I think let the droppings build up to produce heat.

My main flock does free range which might be a problem unless I create a small pigeon coop inside the main coop? I’ll attach some pictures of my main coop inside and the run, they are photos from a few months ago but not a lot has changed. We are in the process of reinsulating the roof as we have had some young squirrels getting in there this summer

It’s been very windy lately and for a little bit there it had been wet, cold, and just plain miserable out.. No snow in the forecast yet thankfully (please not yet ), but I do plan on putting a heavy plastic tarp or some semi-transparent polycarbonate/corrugated plastic sheets to cover the run and make a little greenhouse sort of run for the winter. I have some plants I’d be interested in growing out there under lights which would benefit everyone in this situation.... additional lighting to extend the winter days for the birds to get optimal feed/water intake, greenhouse for plants throughout the winter (and not in my basement or bedroom!), dual purpose lights...I can only see the issue being getting it converted before the snow comes since I’d need to add height for the lights and the plants if I do end up moving them out there because Calgary alreay has a foot and a half of snow

If I’m going to be caring for this pigeon until those flight feathers have grown back in, it’s going to see wherever I keep it as it’s home isn’t it? I was thinking it would be better to keep it in a smaller area while it’s doing most of its healing and then transfer it when it’s more healed and the feathers are coming back in?

 

[cavemanrich]

Here are my thoughts, If that was my coop.
Get a dog cage like this, or make one from wood frame, and Hardware cloths.

Mount it high where chickens would not be able to enter it. (or have easy access to get inside)
Make a perch inside for pigeons to sit on. Have food, and water inside cage.
Place pigeons inside, and keep closed for a few days. Then open cage door, and allow pigeons free-range inside coop. Pigeons will learn to go inside safe shelter of cage when chickens may be chasing them.
You then eventually make a small pop door in the gable part of coop, to let them loft fly outdoors. Pigeons, do learn to remember where their source of food is. They will return to the coop VIA the upper pop door.
Right now, try to capture the other pigeon if you can. For starters,,,, try to leave some seeds on a flat surface ideally where you seen him sitting last. Remember that food is the biggest driving force to attract pigeons, or whatever other animal.
If you have whatever questions, or need something clarified, please ask.
WISHING YOU BEST,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,

 

[ChickenTenderKesha]

Got the other pigeon... they aren’t that good at flying at night so it’s easier to push them out of the big nesting area and down into the open area where I can toss a jacket onto them

Do I need to quarantine it from the other pigeon? If so then it’s living in a small cat carrier for tonight and tomorrow during the day until I can get another dog crate after work...

I’ll include some photos! I’m glad I got it tonight though. There was some rock solid fecal matter wrapped around a middle toe that was on for so long the bone grew around it. Poor thing it seemed sore before I removed it. I didn’t even think to get a photo of it before removal to show what it was doing to cause this..

 

[ChickenTenderKesha]

Here are my thoughts, If that was my coop.
Get a dog cage like this, or make one from wood frame, and Hardware cloths.

Mount it high where chickens would not be able to enter it. (or have easy access to get inside)
Make a perch inside for pigeons to sit on. Have food, and water inside cage.
Place pigeons inside, and keep closed for a few days. Then open cage door, and allow pigeons free-range inside coop. Pigeons will learn to go inside safe shelter of cage when chickens may be chasing them.
You then eventually make a small pop door in the gable part of coop, to let them loft fly outdoors. Pigeons, do learn to remember where their source of food is. They will return to the coop VIA the upper pop door.
Right now, try to capture the other pigeon if you can. For starters,,,, try to leave some seeds on a flat surface ideally where you seen him sitting last. Remember that food is the biggest driving force to attract pigeons, or whatever other animal.
If you have whatever questions, or need something clarified, please ask.
WISHING YOU BEST,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,

Thank you so much for your reply!!
I LOVE your idea for the little pigeon coop. Do you have a recommendation of what sized dog crate to use? Or what size I should make the frame for the hardwire, I think it would be most cost efficient for me as I have plenty of wood and HW/chicken wire

 

[ChickenTenderKesha]

Put them together as I’m using the cat carrier in the cage with the injured pigeon and the front is still missing to it anyways.. this second one is lighter in colour and smaller. There’s small differences between the two, it’s fascinating to look at

 

[cavemanrich]

Do I need to quarantine it from the other pigeon?

I personally would skip quarantine. I don't think it is necessary in this case.

Do you have a recommendation of what sized dog crate to use? Or what size I should make the frame for the hardwire, I think it would be most cost efficient for me as I have plenty of wood and HW/chicken wire

I think 24 x 24 x 36 inches would be good. You need a close-able door, or close-able whole panel.
Build what will fit into your coop best. Bigger is always better, but not always practical.
I have a stack of cages that I use for utility purposes. Purchased them very reasonably used.
Used this one for my outdoor aviary. I think this one measures 24 x 30 x 36

 

[robinfox]

He's adorable! I cared for my bosses pigeons for a year and a half. That looks like a sturdy one. I would firstly put him in a different cage. Then I would isolate him in the garage or in the home, away from traffic. Feed calcium powder or high protein feed to him if the injury is a hurt wing or leg. Lots of water helps too Gatorade if he will take it. I wouldn't keep him with the other birds until he's healed.

I always put out a dish of dog food for the racoon. Just feed them when you get done at night. They will eat the food, not bother the birds because it's just easier for them. Do this regularly and get them used to it, they don't want to hurt your chickens! That worked for me to protect my flock.

 

[cavemanrich]

Since you mentioned that you have plenty of wood, and wire on hand, this IDEA flew by my thoughts. The RED lines indicate the floor plan and the point on underside of roof to attach the Hardware cloth.
The BLUE rectangle was my thought for Pigeon Pop Door entrance on back wall gable.
My sketching is freehand, so not all that pro lookingbut conveys the message since a picture is worth 1000 words. It also does not suggest a size, since that would be best determined by you inside your coop

 

[ChickenTenderKesha]

I personally would skip quarantine. I don't think it is necessary in this case.


I think 24 x 24 x 36 inches would be good. You need a close-able door, or close-able whole panel.
Build what will fit into your coop best. Bigger is always better, but not always practical.
I have a stack of cages that I use for utility purposes. Purchased them very reasonably used.
Used this one for my outdoor aviary. I think this one measures 24 x 30 x 36
View attachment 1928822

I’ll draw up some rough plans when I figure out the dimensions and placement for the internal cage to ask opinions on the set up. 24x30 inches doesn’t seem big enough to me in my head but inches always catch me off guard when it comes to full measurements
draw out some rough plans and see what that size would look like in my coop.

View attachment 1929131
Since you mentioned that you have plenty of wood, and wire on hand, this IDEA flew by my thoughts. The RED lines indicate the floor plan and the point on underside of roof to attach the Hardware cloth.
The BLUE rectangle was my thought for Pigeon Pop Door entrance on back wall gable.
My sketching is freehand, so not all that pro lookingbut conveys the message since a picture is worth 1000 words. It also does not suggest a size, since that would be best determined by you inside your coop

I honestly had NO CLUE what kind of design I was going to do so to have this to look at before I even try is the best thank you!!

He's adorable! I cared for my bosses pigeons for a year and a half. That looks like a sturdy one. I would firstly put him in a different cage. Then I would isolate him in the garage or in the home, away from traffic. Feed calcium powder or high protein feed to him if the injury is a hurt wing or leg. Lots of water helps too Gatorade if he will take it. I wouldn't keep him with the other birds until he's healed.

I always put out a dish of dog food for the racoon. Just feed them when you get done at night. They will eat the food, not bother the birds because it's just easier for them. Do this regularly and get them used to it, they don't want to hurt your chickens! That worked for me to protect my flock.

Thank you for the reply but I won’t be feeding the raccoon. Not only is that a waste of money/resources for me it’s also a waste of my time/effort because where there’s one there’s always more. Especially if free food is provided. IF the raccoon comes back and is trapped it will be dealt with accordingly.