UK pigeon owners

[biophiliac]

Isn't it thrilling!? Great foto update. I have done the same - put the last straggler in by hand once or twice.

 

[CCUK]

Thought I lost boomer earlier. Let her out for a fly after the younsters came back in. She was flying really nice laps around the house and landed on the roof. Then she was gone. Found her in the garage next to the feed tub looking for food!

 

[cavemanrich]

Thought I lost boomer earlier. Let her out for a fly after the younsters came back in. She was flying really nice laps around the house and landed on the roof. Then she was gone. Found her in the garage next to the feed tub looking for food!

How many time has your

stopped,,,,,,,,,,, and you had to have it jump started.
So far only one pigeon failed to return ,,, am I correct.

 

[CCUK]

How many time has your
View attachment 1542940
stopped,,,,,,,,,,, and you had to have it jump started.
So far only one pigeon failed to return ,,, am I correct.

I've only lost one...so far. I'm a born worrier! I'd be devastated to lose boomer. She does keep coming back though even having the occasional night out!

 

[biophiliac]

How many time has your
View attachment 1542940
stopped,,,,,,,,,,, and you had to have it jump started.
So far only one pigeon failed to return ,,, am I correct.

I had one of those moments yesterday when a small group of four of my birds took off with hawks overhead. It looked like the hawks were following them til I lost sight in the distance. It took around 15 minutes til I saw 3 of them coming back, circling overhead...and then the fourth!

I'm having a hard time with the idea of not letting them out to fly all winter as some recommend. They just love it so much.

 

[CCUK]

I had one of those moments yesterday when a small group of four of my birds took off with hawks overhead. It looked like the hawks were following them til I lost sight in the distance. It took around 15 minutes til I saw 3 of them coming back, circling overhead...and then the fourth!

I'm having a hard time with the idea of not letting them out to fly all winter as some recommend. They just love it so much.

That must have been a mega relief to see the fourth one return.
Why would it be recommended to keep them in all winter? Is it the risk from hawks?

 

[biophiliac]

Chicken Country - once these five start flying you will have a nice size kit to watch. I especially like when they fly close enough to see their 'little feets' trailing in the air.

Have your children shown any interest in the pigeons?

 

[biophiliac]

That must have been a mega relief to see the fourth one return.
Why would it be recommended to keep them in all winter? Is it the risk from hawks?

That's what I've been told.

And yes, a big relief! I've seen my large flock follow a hawk, but never 2 or maybe 3 hawks follow my birds. I'm pretty sure they were Red-tails and probably local so not super dangerous...but still, I too am a worrier when it comes to my pets.

 

[CCUK]

Chicken Country - once these five start flying you will have a nice size kit to watch. I especially like when they fly close enough to see their 'little feets' trailing in the air.

Have your children shown any interest in the pigeons?

The kids love them! Especially as they have seen them from just hatched to full on flying. When they are flying we're all outside watching them. Pigeon spotting is a new sport!
It is funny watching them fly around with there pinky feet! Boomer was flying close to the trees at the end of my garden and she was doing sharp turns, her feet kept hanging down as she turned!
Where I live with the chickens I've not really had a problem with predators. Foxes can't get in because of the fences, cats don't seem to come in the garden any more and fortunately we don't have raccoons, coyotes, possums, bears...etc! The pigeons have opened a whole new level of predation for me. I haven't really seen any hawks local but I have in the fields just outside of town. I'm almost sure that is what happened to the one I lost. Just a gut feeling. I'm sure he would have come back with boomer.

 

[biophiliac]

For your kids.

I think this is such a great video I may make a thread for it!