it depends. are you going to be flying them? I would recommend for a starter lkft, to do a 4×8 ft ine. That could house up to 16-20 birds of you are dedicated to scraping perches. If you are really jumping in, I would do two 4×8 lofts, one for breeding pigeons, and one for flying pigeons. But two lofts aren't a must. I used one tiny loft for a year!
the bigger the better! you will not regret the extra space. It will need lots of South facing ventilation. Do around a 6 inch strip of hardware cloth on the bottom, and about a 6 inch strip on top. this makes good airflow, without drafts and I like to make removable Windows risk that they get slot more ventilation during the summer. Inside the loft, you will need perches, and nesting boxes. There are several types of perches, my favorites are box perches and V perches. They can both be easily made. If you are breeding birds your I'll need nesting boxes. A 16inch by 2 ft one is perfect. They can make their own nest with straw, or you can give them a bowl. This can be an old dog bowl, just to keep the eggs in the nest.
it depends. How many birds are you thinking? I have 40 birds, and am out there three hours a day, but that's because they are so much fun! The fourty I have would only need an hour a day tops, to keep them alive and healthy. You need to scrape the perches a clean if droppings once a day, as well as change water twice a day.
you asked the right person! I have never heard anyone say that they regret getting pigeons, so just go for it! My experience is great, the community is always ready to get someone new in the hobby. Here are some pics of my lofts and birds. ask any more questions you need to!
that's alot, but again I have about 40 birds. I don't cut corners, but I make my own stuff to save money. I don't buy feeders, I make them. I don't buy perches, training cages etc, I make them. so, I try to keep it cheap, but it is a expensive hobby. The biggest money saver is...taking apart pallets for coops! I built several doing that.
That is the route to take. If things do not work like you thought, then small is much easier to decommission.
if you do hear back, but don't buy birds from them, always ask if you can see their setup. It helps sooo much. your I'll learn alot. Ask what they feed, where they get it. What flooring works best for them, etc.
will you always have just two pairs? How many birds will you breed up to? This will affect the loft suze. But for 4 pigeons, I would do a 4×4 loft, with a flight pen on the back. doesn't need to be big, just big enough where they can get sun, and take baths. (Yes! Pigeons LOVE baths!)
you want to get them out young, at around 1 1\2 months old. But before that, they need to see all round the outside. and learn how to get in. My birds go all around the yard 10+ times before they have freedom. and they go thru the trap 20+ times. Train them to a food call. A whistle works good. Every time you feed them, whistle. That way when you're ready for them to come back in, you whistle and the should quickly go in. Always call them out of the air. That way, they know that you make the calls, not them. if you wait till they land to call them in, they think that if they kand, it's food time. Then they start to land after 5 minutes of flying. A two hour loft fly is a sign of good birds. I have had only several that good. once they start flying while they are out, instead of walking on the ground, they are getting in shape, hopefully ready to take on tosses soon. Never toss them to early. Wait till three months, I learned this the hard way. First-time do about a half mile away. Then move out about 3 miles every toss. Until you are at 20 miles. Then go out to 50, 100, 200, 400, etc. It's never bad to do short tosses, even when they have come home from a hundred miles away. any more questions? I LOVE answering them, and helping new people get in the hobby.
I would do a 40 sq. ft. Loft. Sounds like alot, but you won't regret it. Even if you just keep a couple birds, they will enjoy it. I suggest feeding once a day, for 15 minutes. Adjust accordingly, a little more in the winter, a little less in the summer. a little more when breeding, etc. I feed my birds at 3:00 pm. and change their water 4× a day. (Not necessary, but defiantly good!) And add two tablespoons of ACV per gallon of water.
