Tell me about keeping pigeons please!

[Alicia G]

Well first things first. I always wanted pigeons, but never had the time with all the other animals. But I am moving and I am selling most of my animals. BUT I would like to have some sort of bird still.... So why not a pair of pigeons? Now I would like these to be indoor birds, sort of like a parrot or lovebird ya know? Sooooooo I have some questions:
1. Is having one pair of pigeons as indoor pets a bad idea?Seems like a legit first question

2. If it is ok, what size cage for the two birds?
3. What do I feed them?
4. What should I look out for health wise?
5 What should I look for breed wise?

I am very interested in one particular breed, And that would be FRILLBACKS

I like them alot, they are very interesting and beautiful...
What other breeds would you suggest (if any) for me?
Thanks,
Alicia

 

[Tippler]

My comments in bold
Quote:
Many people keep Pigeons inside and they do fine if taken care of properly which I can see you are willing to do or you wouldn't be asking these questions.
Frillbacks can range in price like most show breeds so it's going to depend on how 'show quality' you are looking.

 

[Alicia G]

well Im looking for healthy, non flighty, and beautiful birds.... I dont really care on their 'quality', just as long as they are healthy

 

[abluechipstock]

JUST BE CAREFUL, THEY ARE ADDICTING!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I STARTED WITH 4 ROLLERS, NOW I HAVE 60 PIGEONS AAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHH!!!!!!!!! BUT I LOVE EVERY MINUTE OF IT FROM FLYING THEM TO RAISING BABIES TO EVEN CLEANING THE LOFTS, JUST SPENT OVER $1500 ON A NEW BUILDING JUST FOR THEM...........

 

[Alicia G]

LOL yup! I think most birds are!

I had started off with 6 mixed breed ducks, then in a few years I was up to 30 mixed breeds and 20 call ducks of various colors! I hope I will enjoy pigeons as much as I have my ducks and chickens

 

[Tippler]

Yes they are very addicting. I started in Feb of this year with a 4x8' loft within a few months I now have that one plus a 6x16' a 10x12'(empty) a 9x6' and a 12x6'(empty) also a sick loft which is divided into 4 sections.
Very addicting...

 

[Alicia G]

So I thought of some other questions (sorry I have so many, I just want to make sure I get this right):
-Should they be in a pair? Or a trio?
-Should the birds be the same gender? Or one male and one/two females?
-Should they be the same breed? Or can they be different?
-Do they like to play? Like with toys? If so what sort of things should I get?
-Will they grow attached to humans? Or are they more of a 'look but don't touch' sort of bird?
-Are there breeds I should AVOID when looking for an indoor pet?

I was going to build my own cage (Iv'e done it many times) I was thinking of having the cage four feet wide, two feet deep and five feet tall. All wire, one inch square wire. I would like to have two doors on it, about two feet by one foot.
Would this be suitable for two pigeons?
And if so what sort of things should I put in the cage?
I would guess perches, but anything else? What about a nest box? Even if I don't plan to breed, I would let them hatch out some babies if they wanted.

I'm still pretty set on the frillbacks, but if I can't get my hands on some I would be interested in these breeds as well:
-Blondinette
-Satinettes
-Chinese owl
-English Tumbler

 

[Print Tippler]

I would go with something larger. You want a pair not a trio. Two hens are fine or a cock and hen. Doesn't have to be the same breed unless you wanted to breed them. No toys just perches. Get the same breed if you want to breed them. Just put a bowl in there box.

Now this is where you should listen. Most pigeons you will find 90%+ will be untamed birds. This is what i would do if i were you. Hand feed the young birds from either day one or day 5 on. That way they will be attached to you. Maybe find someone local that has the breeds you want and till them you want to hand feed and buy the pigeon at day 5 or so. Or you can by a breeding pair and breed them and take the young birds. Remember Blondinettes can not feed there own young and require hand feeding every time or fostering. Modern day satinettes require the same but not old style. Modern day satinettes are expensive, old style is cheap

 

[Alicia G]

So for a pair of pigeons they need a bigger cage?
What about five feet wide by three feet deep by six feet tall? That bout as big as I could do for an indoor cage

 

[mochicken]

Sounds perfect