so, I've got this bird now and...

[Bug n Flock]

Could it be possible Artie is a hybrid of some sort, or am I being silly?

I didn't lock her up last night, she spent the night free on the third floor. May keep doing that, I'm not sure. How critical is it I get her a new friend asap? She seems very interested in the things I do, but also has been spending a lot of time lying down in one of my bug colonies (possibly nesting behavior?). I'm in negotiations for a hairless guinea pig or two to add in to my cuy project, and I'll be buying at least one rabbit this weekend at the agricultural fair, so cash is a little tight right now. If it is a priority to get her a pal, though, I can rework my finances and see what's what. Maybe I can find a 4h-er who has a loft while at the fair and buy a bird off them.

She still has a few bugs on her, I'll do another flea dip today probably.

 

[Bug n Flock]

Sorry for double post, I jut thought it was amusing and forgot to mention.

I just got back from a family reunion type deal, for which we had to drive through new York city twice (on way up and on way back). I annoyed the craaaaaaap out of everyone in the car ("look! A pigeon! Ooh! Another one! Look at the color on those ones!"). Good times, good times.

You know you found a good guy when he starts helping you design a net gun to catch feral pigeons and giggles just as much as you do at the thought of netting birds in front of a hypothetical kindly old man as he tosses bread crumbs to them.

 

[biophiliac]

Sorry for double post, I jut thought it was amusing and forgot to mention.

I just got back from a family reunion type deal, for which we had to drive through new York city twice (on way up and on way back). I annoyed the craaaaaaap out of everyone in the car ("look! A pigeon! Ooh! Another one! Look at the color on those ones!"). Good times, good times.

You know you found a good guy when he starts helping you design a net gun to catch feral pigeons and giggles just as much as you do at the thought of netting birds in front of a hypothetical kindly old man as he tosses bread crumbs to them.

[double post all you want! - It's your thread. ]

 

[biophiliac]

What kind of bug colony is she liking for a nest?

 

[Bug n Flock]

She has taken to a fairly newly set up mealworm bin. So I figured what the heck, let her have fun. Maybe she'll eat some worms or wheat bran, but nothing in there will hurt her any, and I have 3 other worm bins in this room alone so who cares if she eats a few bugs.

 

[JaeG]

My ring neck dove seems happy enough on its own. I started out thinking it was a girl but now it sits in a food bowl and does it's wing vibrations and cooing so maybe it's a boy inviting me to his nest. My male Bourkes parakeet is the only bird in my aviary s/he shows off to and s/he also enjoys jumping on our heads!

As long as Artemis has you for company I think she'll be alright for now. It's not like she's in a cage outside all on her own.

 

[jak2002003]

Read through all this thread.. very interesting... and such a beautiful bird.

She is indeed 100 percent pigeon. The small wattle is typical of some breeds... mainly flying and performing birds. The homers and racing pigeons tend to have the large dry looking wattles... more so than even the feral pigeons.

The black eyes are also typical for a pure white or pied pigeon.

You did well to treat her to get rid of the feather mites... although they are harmless to humans and other animals... and don't really harm the pigeon... only eating the dead feathers.. but they can make the bird look scruffy until they molt new ones. Most pigeons always have a few mites... but they cause no harm... only when the bird gets run down / ill or stressed do the mites get out of control in number.

You are doing everything right for the care and diet of your pigeon.

I would advise not to catch a feral pigeon for a mate for it. Because feral pigeons carry a high chance of having diseases and parasites that will infect your domesticated bird!!!! If you want a mate for your pigeon I recommend getting one from a fellow pigeon breeder... they will often have inexpensive birds that don't meet the show standard or odd birds they need to re home.. perhaps one with crocked toes or a minor disability they don't want. However, there is no rush to get a mate for your bird... the amount of animals you have about and the time you are spending with it every day will be more than enough company.

Enjoy your new friend!!!

 

[Bug n Flock]

LOL I was only joking about catching ferals. ;P I am *way* too protective of my critters to do something like that without subsequent quarantines, blood tests, parasite treatments, etc etc etc.

Nobody involved with pigeons that I could find thru the fair(tho I did buy two lovely new rabbits who I am suuuuper eager to bring home come Saturday evening: a 10 week old Silver Fox buck and a 3 year old New Zealand White doe), so I am back to square 1 with either finding Artie's rightful owner(to buy her from! I'd hate to give her up at this point) or another person to get a second bird from.


How do I go about training her? She spends a lot of time just flying back and forth in the room, I think she wants more space to fly.

 

[biophiliac]

finding Artie's rightful owner(to buy her from! I'd hate to give her up at this point

If she is not banded I do not believe you are obliged to search for the owner, ie you have a bird. If she is allowed to fly free she might try to return to her home loft, or not. It's a risk. If you get her a mate and let them raise some babies she might settle with you permanently.

How do I go about training her?

Give her a few small pieces of raw unsalted peanuts so she learns how good they are and use as rewards...

 

[JaeG]

https://www.backyardchickens.com/threads/other-poultry-2018-calendar-pics-pre-orders.1192347/

I think you need to enter Artemis in the calendar competition. She's so pretty.