Roller Pigeons

[LapisLazuli]

1 Are Roller Pigeons considered fancy?
2 Do they like to fly a lot like homers?
3 What are there space requirements?
4 How much can I expect to pay for a pair?
Thanks!

 

[Qwerty3159]

I think @backyard pigeons had some.

Generally three are three types of pigeon breeds, those bred to fly, those bred for utility (eating), and show breeds that don’t have special skills and are instead bred for appearance and breed standards rather than performance. With rollers there are both show types and performance flying types. They do like to fly although the idea with rollers is to get them to fly in a tight group known as a kit. Rollers are a smaller bird than a homer and they also seem to fight less in confined spaces than other breeds. Look up images of kitboxes or roller pigeon lofts to get an idea.
I see rollers on Craigslist near me for around 15$ per bird though birds with good blood or interesting paint jobs will cost more

 

[backyard pigeons]

1 Are Roller Pigeons considered fancy?
2 Do they like to fly a lot like homers?
3 What are there space requirements?
4 How much can I expect to pay for a pair?
Thanks!

Performance rollers are bred for flying, but then there are show rollers, and bald head rollers, as well as a few more fancy breeds. If you see Birmingham rollers, they are typicly performance birds.rapidly

No! They dont! They are supposed ti, but after a year of trying to get them going wekk, I was unsuccessful. They are difficult to get flying for longer than five minutes, but most people have had better luck than me.

I recommend no less than 4 sq. ft. Of ground space per bird for your breeders, and no less than two square ft. of ground space for your flyers. You will want two lofts, one for your flyers, and one for your breeders, so that you don't lose your breeders, but, if you do not fly your breeders, please give them a spacious avairy. I recommend letting them out to just wander about once a week so they have some sense of freedom.want

you can expect to pay $10 a bird for Okay ones, or $100+ for good birds proven to roll.

 

[LapisLazuli]

Ok Thanks I'll probably go with the 4x4 loft and 4x4 aviary.

 

[Old-clucker-55]

Yea with those 3 grains you should be able to control a kit of rollers. If the birds are flying to high then a little extra milo should do the trick. Birds not kitting up the wheat. Some of the better flyers fed 95% wheat and when the roll started getting sloppy they would hit them with peas. Feeding rollers is different depending on your birds and how they are flying. The only times I ever used safflower was when they were molting or I didn't have any popcorn in the cold winter months. They were fed 1 tablespoon per bird. Watching the birds would tell you what they needed. I don't think there is anything better than watching a kit of rollers do their thing.

 

[Hokum Coco]

1 Are Roller Pigeons considered fancy?

I never owned Roller pigeons.
I know a fellow pigeon fancier that has a kit of them and enjoys watching their flights and so do I.

However their are Parlour Rollers that have been bred from Roller pigeons for so long that they have actually lost the ability to fly.
I really can not fathom the point of such birds.

Here is a clip showing them in action.

 

[backyard pigeons]

well, rollers aren't the bird for you then. They need free flight. I would get the Lahore's if there close!

 

[backyard pigeons]

Do pigeons need an insulated loft in the winter? Are there any winter requirements that are different than in the summer?

They can't stand drafts. They are fine one extremely cold temps, if it's still air. You still need ventilation, but no drafts. Kinda like chickens.

 

[LapisLazuli]

I found this pair on Craigslist for $20.
I would keep them for breeding purposes I wouldn't fly them ( that is why I was wondering if they like to fly).
I have some more questions about them.
1 Are these even Roller Pigeons?
2 Would a 3' x 3' loft and a 3' x 4' aviary be enough room or would I need more?
3 About how many clutches do they raise per year?
4 What do I feed them?

 

[LapisLazuli]

@backyard pigeons
Have you ever tried fermenting pigeon feed? If so can you share how to do it?
Thank you!