single pigeon-how best to add more?

[pinkyglory123]

Just getting started in pigeons. Started with two to see if the whole thing was workable. Kept the two in for a month then released them. They stayed nearby-but took a couple of days for the smaller female (she laid an egg so=female) to return to the coop. The larger of the two never figured it out and left the area.

Don't want the female to be single so what would you suggest-buy one male only? Or several birds-a pair plus male? I guess pair plus male would incite fighting..........

I started with two only because I wanted to see how they were to release, would they come back, or if I was going to open the coop and poof....lose everyone. Following the training recommendations on this thread.

PS as a kid many years ago I used to sneak up at night and cut the pigeons out of my friend's Dad's coop-he used them to train retrievers. I would bring them home, nurse them back to health and release them. also had a couple of fantails.

 

[Hokum Coco]

I have white homers. When dealing with homers it pays to buy young birds that have never flown from their loft. The alternative is keeping them as breeders and prisoner for the rest of their lives.

Adult homers "MAY" stay after raising 3 clutches of eggs to adult hood. (I can bare witness to one flying 100 miles to it's original loft after doing just that however).

I would definitely get another male for your lone pigeon. It also pays to fly each bird solo until they get used to your loft before releasing them together.

I personally would get one pair settled in place before adding more.



In the above photo is a picture of my pigeon trap. The small entrance have bobs that allow the pigeon to enter an not escape the barn. I get my birds used to this system by hinging the landing ramp closed and putting them out in this enclosure. I then release them from here after they get the hang of things
.

 

[fowlsessed]

They were probably Homers, that's why they left. If doing Homers, you have to buy just-out-the-nest, un-flown birds, imprint them to your loft and then fly them. Adult Homers can be bred and then their young flown, but they themselves can not be free-flown without fear of them going back home. That one hen may have stayed because she was very attached to her nest, was a poor quality Homer, or was crossed, among other reasons. Either way, if you have room and want more birds, go ahead and get yourself more than one pair and a male for the single hen. They will have some disputes, but usually work it out fairly quickly among themselves. Make sure you have a nest box and roost per pair, and food/water dishes well away from any claimed territory, like on the floor as far away as possible from any claimed roosts and nests. Good luck, ask any questions, there are a few good pigeoneers here to help. And use the search engine, it's a huge help and saves us from going over things that have been BEAT into the ground. Also, "Pigeon Talk" is the best pigeon site around, if you care to go over there and take a look.

 

[fowlsessed]

My post crossed with yours, Hokum. Good post, though.

 

[vtguania]

Hokum Coco those are nice looking homers. I just bought my son two young un-flown white homers this past Saturday, he hasn't paid any attention to them & even forgot I had gotten them. Oh well, Maybe he'll get into them once I started letting them out & training them. If not I will definitely enjoy them. I'll see if I get some pics of them soon.

 

[pinkyglory123]

Thanks for the replys fellas.

Tough to say if the good one left, or stayed! The female is quite small and banded. Also quite tame. She knows where her food and water is. Of course she could be a cross. I am glad I started out this way with just a couple-followed the directions for releasing and acclimating I found on this thread and on line. The other bird was much larger. I know they were never flown from the man I purchased them from but also do not believe he bred them. I may have just been lucky to get one young bird-the female. He had some sitting on eggs a month ago-I will purchase some really young birds-maybe three next time.

Not sure about the issue with entering the coop-the door is actually a DOOR-wide open. I did install a ledge they can land on in the doorway to make things easier, more inviting. the next coop I have has multiple windows and can be altered much like yours with a small wire enclosure and entry. "We", birds and I will get the hang of it-it is worth working at. That is part of the fun I think. Chickens you just plunk in the coop-I am a chicken lover from way back-pigeons require a lot more finesse and have to "choose" to stay.

 

[Hokum Coco]

@ Vtguaina Thank you for your kind observation. I have 63 trips around the sun. I and my grand daughter (she has been around the sun only 12 times) just got back into homers a year ago. I had them when I was in my teens. I got my wife to fashion a small pouch with a draw string that I can attach to a pigeon leg with a note to my grand daughter that my start her on a quest for a surprise.

Her and I enjoy each others company and she has learned more about life than she ever will through reading a book. She has experienced love, loss, responsibility, first aid, accomplishment, and just plain old fun by being with me and the birds. I also learned how to operate a computer thanks to her tutelage.

We do the white dove release in our area which is just starting to get off the ground (pun intended). My grand daughter has done releases for the anti bulling campaign which seems to be in the forefront in many schools now. It also makes an interesting topic for her when it comes to compositions and presentations. She is also turning into quite the little public speaker and business lady.

Here is an example of some of her thinking:

http://moncton.kijiji.ca/c-services-wedding-Moncton-White-Dove-Release-W0QQAdIdZ498670591

 

[vtguania]

Hokum Coco did your granddaughter write that ad? If she did it is pretty good for a 12 yr old. Describes it perfectly as it is. I have 20 trips less around the sun and have been around pigeons since my 13th trip. Started with regular street pigeons till my 36th trip around it. I then had a dozen white homers for the same purpose of a dove release at the time. I am hoping my son will really get into it as it is as you say. It does teach more about life than any book can. I wish you and your granddaughter the best of luck with your Homers (dove release)!!!

 

[Hokum Coco]

I am not quite sure how much she actually contributed to the add or how much may have been plagiarized off the Internet. You and I have a lot in common especially when it comes to pigeons and how we got involved Vtgunia. Thank for your kind wishes and I hope you and yours remain Healthy Thankful Happy and Satisfied.