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#1
24th October 2009, 01:42 AM
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noobie questionsHi, I'm not sure the most appropriate place to ask some of these questions, but I figured here might be a good place to start. A 2008 white racing homer made it's home in my barn a couple months ago. I originally tried to locate the owner through the band number, but the phone number listed was disconnected and a couple calls to local clubs were fruitless. I have kept "Birdie-bird" in an old rabbit hutch (24" x 36" x 24") and he/she seems healthy. I released him/ her a couple times thinking he/ she would make their way to their home but he/ she returns to my barn the next day. I have decided to keep him/ her and likely add a couple more to keep him/ her company and build a proper loft/ coop.
My questions: Is there any way to advise a novice on sexing a racing white homer? Birdie-bird coos quite often, does that mean anything (like a rooster crows)? What is the difference in the types of perches/ roosts/ nests/ boxes? I am chicken-savy, but there seems to be alot more variation in pigeon accessories. I have a local livestock trader who has several types of pigeon/ dove. I have been told that the "petstore type white dove" is not appropriate to distance flying. How can you tell by looking at a bird if it is the racing type? How do I go about banding new birds (or re-banding Birdie-bird)? Can pigeons "re-set" themselves to a new home? Is it best to hatch out babies from a "home site", buy unflown juveniles and have them shipped from a different state, or buy unknown aged unknown history birds from the livestock trader 5 miles away? I might consider, eventually, having a small "wedding release" operation. Is it reasonable to start with 4-8 birds and a small 4x8 loft? Any advise from anyone who has started such a thing? Do pigeons like toys like "pet birds" do? I bought a fancy perch from the petstore, but Birdie-bird doesn't use it at all... he/ she seems content with the wooden slats to perch on. Is there any contraindication in keeping pigeons in proximity to chickens? Thanks for any input and advise.  
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#2
24th October 2009, 07:31 AM
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I've only had pigeons for about 2 years but I can answer some of your questions. Having chickens deffinitly gets you a head start in having pigeons. If your bird coos alot he is probably a boy, boys are bigger, they try to strut there stuff, and they coo alot. They mostly do this stuff around females though. Pigeons are not really toy loving birds. 8 birds would probably notdo so well in a 4-8 cage, each bird needs about 3 square feet. It is better to have a wide loft than a high loft. More people will come along soon to answer the rest. Good luck with your pigeons.
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XAVIER ~We make a living by what we get, we make a life by what we give. ~Golf and life are very much alike, you got to take them both one shot at a time while still considering the next. ~Never take life too seriously. Nobody gets out alive anyway. ~Impressing humanity is no great feat; if you can impress God, then I'LL be the one whos inpressed!  ~Life is not measured by the number of breaths we take, but by the moments that take our breath away.
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#3
24th October 2009, 10:09 PM
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 8 birds in a 4x8 enclosure is 4sf per bird.... I currently keep 8 chickens in 4x8 tractors just fine, and they are quite a bit larger than pigeons. I was looking at the "starter loft" plans on here http://www.redroselofts.com/starter_loft.htmand for one or two pair I thoguht 4x8 would be okay?Quote:
Last edited by birdie-bird; 24th October 2009 at 11:48 PM.
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#4
24th October 2009, 11:41 AM
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yikes that is alot of questions..lol.. usually if you want some birds to fly, you would get them 30 to 40 days old and settle them to your loft. 4 or 8 birds may not last too long as they do get attacked by hawks or lost sometimes, as this one is. you can buy a pair and fly the babies but an adult pair should not be let out to fly. It is hard to "reset" or rehome them. they would be prisoner birds, so they would do well with a flight cage for an aviary, the birds are banded with a seemless band at about 7 days old, so it is a permanent band. it has the year the bird was hatched on it, you can get personalized bands made with your info on them to put on the babies. if you buy young birds you can get a snap on band to put on the other leg with your personal info on them. pigeons like wide flat type perches, box perches are nice and easy as well as T perches, which are just 2x4 cut and nailed up and down a long 2x4. they don't play with toys, but they are very social with each other, they are a flock bird, they like to pick up sticks and hay and pine needles to build nests with. the birds should not be kept with chickens as they can transfer diseases. they are ok on the same property though just not housed together. It is hard to start small for a wedding release as you will lose birds while training.
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 BEECH TREE KNOLL LOFT
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#6
24th October 2009, 11:59 AM
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most of the time you have to wait and see who pairs up with who and then the hen will lay, and then you know you have a pair. the males do coo and bow so most of the time you can say that one is male..but not always. after you are around pigeons allot you get a knack for guessing what sex they are.
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BEECH TREE KNOLL LOFT
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#7
24th October 2009, 10:38 PM
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#8
24th October 2009, 10:33 PM
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 ) then, it might be practical to strive for that as an occasional weekend thing.
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#9
24th October 2009, 12:42 PM
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I answered your questions beneath each one.
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Charis If all the beasts were gone, men would die from great loneliness of spirit, for whatever happens to the beasts also happens to the man. Seattle 1736-1866  Another Life, Gone To The Birds! DO NO HARM Member, International Wildlife Rehabilitaion Council
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