Nebraska Pigeon: is he tame?

[Love2everyone]

oops

This is a picture of the hutch. The shed behind the hutch is blocking north wind, and right be hind me(the picture taker) is our house. The hutch seems gaurded between the building, and the left part of the hutch is enclosed on all sides except open mesh screen bottom. The snow blew pretty hard on sunday and there was some snow in the open part of the hutch but none in the back part.

What does everyone think about this as a pigeon home?

[TAWhatley]

Hi Eric,

That looks like a pretty good pigeon house. You might want to consider putting down something on the mesh floor in the enclosed area during the winter to allow for a bit more warmth in that section or perhaps making a nest box in that section that has a solid bottom. If it gets really cold and nasty, then you could temporarily cover the open sides with a painter's tarp or plastic.

Does the bird have something to perch on in there? A brick, 4x4, or a piece of cinder block or cement paver works well. Pigeons like to perch on a flat surface as opposed to a round perch like is used for hookbills.

Thanks for the picture!

Terry

[Love2everyone]

I was going to ask about something for her to stand on. Because I don't have anything in there except the water and food bowl, which is plastic. She tands on the side of the dish some times, so I wanted to ask if maybe she doesn't like standing on the cold metal mesh all the time?

[TAWhatley]

It's not just that the bird might not want to stand on the mesh wire but more that they really like a flat surface to perch/stand on. Just a piece of 4x4 or 2x4 wood will work fine. I suggested the brick, cinder block, paver because those are rough and will also help keep the toenails "trimmed".

Terry

[Victor]

Originally Posted by Love2everyone

What does everyone think about this as a pigeon home?

I like it! Many pigeon owners keep their pigeons in hutches. Two would be quite comfortable the one you have.

I was considering a couple of hutches when I only had 4 pigeons. I have 6 now, so I had to go the coop route.

It is good that the hutch is away from the north. Pigeon housing that faced mainly south is good as it provides good morning/some afternoon sun exposure.

If I may suggest Eric, I would add a piece of plastic that could be opened up later in the morning for ventilation, but keep more of the cold draft out.

[Love2everyone]

This is a short video of Betsy(formorly Horace), on the side of her cage after I reached in, she is very lively, and flies a little in her cage. After my son'e nap I will try her in the house.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_d76jQ5rd6c

[Love2everyone]

she flies around the bathroom. Flight test was successful. I'll post the video address once it gets posted.

[Love2everyone]

Here is the video of Betsy's short bathroom flight:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VKTW9JVA93Q

[Victor]

Betsy looks very healthy and content in her new home and surroundings. Her white feathers really accentuate her looks. Nice video.

[Pigeonpal2002]

Originally Posted by Love2everyone

Here is the video of Betsy's short bathroom flight:

Hi Love2everyone,

Great, excellent!!!! I'm so glad to hear that the flight test was successful! Betsy appears to be in great condition and now you need to test her in a bigger room where more sustained flight would be possible.

As it would seem, there is nothing wrong with this pigeon's ability to fly and the bird definitely seems quite healthy

If you've decided to keep her, and if the next test flight proves that she is able to fly for a longer duration, you might just want to consider getting her a mate in the not too distant future

You've done a great job caring for and looking after this pigeon that was "brought" to you under uncertain circumstance

[Love2everyone]

Are you checkin' out my bird

Actually I really appreciate your comment. You have really been a lot of help. I want to stay active on this forum, but I don't think I know enough to help others out yet. Maybe I will stay and ask more questions.

As an ending I would like people to suggest on Betsy's future.
Should I possibly let her go at some point thinking she would return to her previous home?
If I were to do this when would she be ready, I don't think so, but maybe she is ready now?
If she stayed with us, what more does she need in her life?
-food -housing -attention and -exposure
By exposure I partially mean; what is with the talk of exersize? How does that work? I read something about the birds of course needing excersize so does that happen in a big cagged building, in my house, or is it that I let he out when she is health and hope she flies around a little and comes back into her cage?

A guess that is when I find out if she has adopted us or if she wants to be free, or if she wants to back to a previous home.

[Pigeonpal2002]

Originally Posted by Love2everyone

Actually I really appreciate your comment. You have really been a lot of help.

As an ending I would like people to suggest on Betsy's future.
Should I possibly let her go at some point thinking she would return to her previous home?
If I were to do this when would she be ready, I don't think so, but maybe she is ready now?If she stayed with us, what more does she need in her life?
-food -housing -attention and -exposure
By exposure I partially mean; what is with the talk of exersize? How does that work? I read something about the birds of course needing excersize so does that happen in a big cagged building, in my house, or is it that I let he out when she is health and hope she flies around a little and comes back into her cage?

A guess that is when I find out if she has adopted us or if she wants to be free, or if she wants to back to a previous home.

Hi Love2everyone,

I'm glad that my suggestions and advice have been helpful to you. We all really want this pigeon to be healthy and happy Yes, do stay, you are more than welcome to.

I don't think you should release her and not yet anyway. We really don't even know for sure whether she was once a domestic pigeon or is a wild one.

To me, it seems that you are quite smitten with this bird and she is also quite trusting and tame towards you too. I believe she would like a mate to be happy, as pigeons are very social birds. They live to be with a mate, build nests, raise or attempt to raise familes

The only reason I suggest to get her a mate is because she would likely be an outdoor pigeon at your house. This is fine but a bit of a lonely existance for her out there in the hutch by herself. I don't think the bunny can offer her exactly what she needs, lol. Would you consider bringing her indoors and becoming a "house" pigeon? This would tame her up even more and if she had the company of humans around all the time, then she wouldn't need a mate necessarily and to keep her company.

Yes, pigeons do require excersise and to be healthy. This means that they are given time, space and room to flap, "helicopter" and fly for even short flights indoors in a room or outdoors in a loft/aviary. The don't need to fly marathons to be kept in shape

Keep her for a while longer, get her back to full health and then decide what you feel is best. I'm sure others will offer their opinions as well as to what you should do with Betsy and how to make her happy

[Victor]

Eric, I was about to call it a day, but read your last post.

It would be great to have another good pigeon person (especially another Nebraskan!) on the forum. As far as helping others, you will do well and in time, will be able to help another person in need...sooner than you think. I joined in December of 2004 after having rescued my 1st pigeon Tooter, in the previous April or May.This forum is a wealth of information, and all it takes is a bit of time reading, and getting to know your way around the sections here.

As far as the future of Betsey is concerned, that is entirely up to you Eric. You are her caretaker and have been since she found you when she was in need of some help. I am convinced that pigeons have an instinct where to go when they are "down and out".

It is up to you to decide if you should release her to go where she came from. But, what if she came from a place that really did not want her? And another factor to consider is that Hawks are really on the watch this time of the year for food.I would worry about her becoming a victim. And winter has not really started here in Nebraska...the worse is yet to come.If you must release her, can you wait till early spring, and if you do, please release her near a feral flock that she can join.

Pigeons do not ask for much or really need a lot. Just that you take a small part of your day, as you would with any pet that you may have.

They do not require too much , just a little attention and good care.

As far as exercise time, yes, that is important. It has been suggested here that a pet pigeon that is otherwise contained, be given a minimum of two hours free flight time to do what they love best...fly. It keeps them in shape and exercises their wings and spirit. I used to allow mine free time in the house before I built my pigeon coop last Summer, but 6 pigeons, whew, it was a challenge and not really good for them, or us.

Now that we have the coop, I can allow them to fly about much of the day. In the evening, most of them are trained now to go into their respective cages. I close the doors, and turn on the heat on medium. My coop has Plexiglas in the center section and plastic on the other sides. We hope to add a flight aviary attached to the coop as a Spring add-on.

As far as food ,I get Kaytee pigeon dove mix from Petco because they like the variety and has nutrients and vitamins in the blend including corn which is important for pigeons in the Winter. I can get pigeon feed it at the feed store, but I trust the brand I get.I do get the safflowers at the feed store, but Wal-Marts now have this available as well.

Lentils, split green peas, unsalted raw sunflower seeds (given minimally) are available at most Super marts.You already have the ACV in check which is good for a healthy pigeon.

I personally hope you keep her, but the choice is yours sir. I think it was meant to happen.Pigeons do make excellent pets. Good luck to you whatever you decide.

[Pigeonpal2002]

Hi Eric,

It's been a long time since you let us know how things are going with Betsy. I sure hope things are ok with her. Do you still have her, has she fully regained flight, did you let her go? I see that your last visit here was on January 8th.

It's so easy for us to get side tracked with all the members posts, the questions and just keeping up daily with this VERY busy forum But for some reason today, I remembered you and Betsy and I hope that you've just been busy and haven't had time to post about what's going on.

I know the other members would be interested in hearing an update

[Love2everyone]

Betsy is doing fine but I'll start a new post for help.