will they have a homing instinct?

[sydney13]

im getting a pair of rescue pigeons that will either be white kings or the type of homers that the raise for meat. if i got the pigeons from a meat market do you think they would try to fly back when i let them out or would they stay in the coop? Which breed do you think will have a better chance of flying back to the coop? when you let kings out of the coop do they fly around the neighborhood or just in your yard? would homers fly all around the town? is letting pigeons out to fly around when your not home just as much of a risk as having chickens free range when your not home? And also do you think its better if i buy a pair of homer pigeons from the local meat market (i bought two chickens from the same market and they were very healthy lively) were i wount know the sex, or to buy a pair of white kings from mickaboo were i have to pay $80 for shipping but i would know it was a male and female and that they were both healthy?

 

[Timmy]

I had utility type kings and giant homers when I was a kid. I didn't let them out because they are not really that kind of bird.they are purpose bread to be food. they may or may not come back and probably won`t fly fast enough to avoid becoming lunch for some kind of bird of prey. Like I said I never let mine out so maybe I`m wrong.

 

[NYboy]

I have gotten 2 kings from mickcoo. They are healthy pretty birds. kings are not good flyers. If you want to save a life then get kings, if you want birds that will fly well ,look into other breeds.

 

[sydney13]

do the giant homer type fly almost as well as a homer?
and also if you only let them out when you are home then how do you get a pigeon to come back in the loft, do you think i would be able to pick a king up and put it in or are they flying up near the tree tops?

 

[Bear Foot Farm]

If you keep them in LONG ENOUGH they "may" stay around.
The trouble is only THEY know what "long enough" really is

IF they breed and raise young, the young birds will stay, and the parents probably will too

You can fly King Pigeons, but they won't go far at all.
Mine never go more than about 1/4 mile from the house, and mostly hang around in the yard

how do you get a pigeon to come back in the loft, do you think i would be able to pick a king up

Most likely you won't get your hands on them outside.
The best thing is to make a "drop trap" so they can go in on their own, but not be able to exit.

Or you can just open a door or window and they will come in just before dark​