New question about the pigeon I found.

[Kwikkordead]

Hi folks.
This pigeon that I found seems to be doing ok, but it's not making any effort to try and fly unless it has to. It's not exersizing it's wings at all. It just wanders around the back yard foraging for food. I can walk up to it, corner it, and put it in it's cage with no trouble. Is that normal for a juvinile bird? Or should I consider that it's never going to fly on it's own and build a bigger cage to live out it's days? This picture is about 4 days old Aug 1.

[TAWhatley]

Hi Kwik,

That's still a pretty young pigeon with a few feather sprouts and a very short tail. There's every possibility that it will end up to be a strong flyer but also a possibility that it finds life with you to be preferable to fending for itself. I think a couple more weeks are warranted before making any life long decisions. JMO.

Terry

[pdpbison]

Originally Posted by Kwikkordead

Hi folks.
This pigeon that I found seems to be doing ok, but it's not making any effort to try and fly unless it has to. It's not exersizing it's wings at all. It just wanders around the back yard foraging for food. I can walk up to it, corner it, and put it in it's cage with no trouble. Is that normal for a juvinile bird? Or should I consider that it's never going to fly on it's own and build a bigger cage to live out it's days? This picture is about 4 days old Aug 1.

Hi kwickkordead,


Your Youngster is in their normal stage or pgase of growing up, and of being a ground-Bird...and is weeks away from simple flights.

For now, he may do some small flights of a couple feet if he has to, but the deal for the time being, is for him to eat lots, poop lots, and put on muscle and grow a lot more Tail and Wings for himself, and be a happy youngster.

No rush, he will fly fine when he has developed enough...and right now, he's got a ways to go yet!

So...this is normal...no worries...

In three weeks or so he will likely be able to make it to the edge of the roof with a little strain...

In two weeks, to the top of a book case...

In one week from now, to the back of a chair...maybe...


Phil
las vegas

[Kwikkordead]

Ok, thank you for clearing that up. It can make horizontal flight right now if it has too, but it's wing beat is about 1/2 of what it needs to be for strong flight. Looks like I'll be building a bigger cage this weekend so it can exersize.

[Jiggs]

Have you tried leaving the cage door open and does it return itself? - if it does then there should be no need to build a bigger pen as it grows it should take care of itself.

[Kwikkordead]

Originally Posted by Jiggs

Have you tried leaving the cage door open and does it return itself? - if it does then there should be no need to build a bigger pen as it grows it should take care of itself.

No it does not, I have to physically catch it and return it to the cage. It hates being in it as it tries to get back out as soon as it's inside. It starts climbing the walls and flapping it's wings for a few minutes, then gives up and goes sulking inside of the box that I have in there for shelter and shade. If I left it alone it would just hide behind the flower pots or under the BBQ on the patio. Wide open for the dawn raccoon patrol.

[pdpbison]

Hi Kwickkordead,


What about letting him be indoors? - and of course letting him out as you see fit.


When they hate Cages like that, they also tend to damage their feathers and it complicates things generally.


The only time I ever cage one is if they are ill or injured to where they would be staying put anyway, and, soon as they are well enough I let them have the option of being out of the cage.

Phil
Las Vegas

[Kwikkordead]

Indoors would be nice, but the wife says: "No way." I'm going to build something a lot larger for it this weekend. Something along the lines of 4x8x8 cage with a wooden coop so it's sheltered at night. Not sure on what to do about perches, but I'll work something out. I've got a perfect spot to put it in the back yard where it will be in the morning and mid-day sun and sheltered from the blazing afternoon sun. If I still have this little critter in the winter time I'll work out some heat for the coop.
I'm starting to get attached to it, haven't been brave enough to name it yet, 'cause I don't want to get a broken heart if it flies off when it's strong enough. When it's strong enough to fend for itself, the cage will have the "open door policy". I don't want to force it into incarceration. Only if it chooses to stay.

[feralpigeon]

Hi There,

Just thought I'd give you this link on hardware cloth to give you an idea
of materials that would be good for your loft if you and bird end up making that choice:

http://www.twpinc.com/twp/jsp/product.jsp?type=4

I believe this was a Lin Hansen gem.


fp

[Kwikkordead]

Originally Posted by feralpigeon

Hi There,

Just thought I'd give you this link on hardware cloth to give you an idea
of materials that would be good for your loft if you and bird end up making that choice:

http://www.twpinc.com/twp/jsp/product.jsp?type=4

I believe this was a Lin Hansen gem.


fp

Thanks, yeah that's the same stuff that I have built the little box out of. Great stuff.