adopted a rock pigeon/ HELP

[rjackso5]

I adopted a 6 year old male Rock pigeon named Peter yesterday. He has been an inside bird all of his life and was lovingly cared for. However, he was given full flight @ his last home and it is not possible here because I have 15 other birds to think of not to mention a cat and 3 dogs. Not in Peter's best interest @ all.

The problem: He is extremely unhappy being in his cage. Not to mention, I need to locate a bigger cage. I have him in a 24 by 18, which I know is too small but it's all I have right now.

He is also pecking alot, not drawing blood but it hurts, trust me. I am attributing this behavior to being stressed, new situation, unknown people, etc. What can I do to help him?

I'll be honest - I adopted him because he looked so lonely and he is sooo beautiful. I mean he is the picture of health. Of course, I have him quarantined right now for his sake and the rest of my flock. It is unknown if he was with other birds/pigeons @ all. I am thinking not because of his aggressiveness ( he is not mean but just older and probably set in his ways).

I have almost 20 years of birding experience but obviously none of "pigeon" experience. I have 4 doves so figuring out Peter shouldn't be that hard, should it?

Please, any information or help is greatly appreciated!

[screamingeagle]

Actually, if he's never been around other pigeons, he will be more friendly than if he's been around other pigeons. My guess is, since you just got him, he is probably stressed out from being in a new place, not to mention a new cage with new people.

Pigeons are also territorial, espeically males, and will peck at you to let you know so, LOL!

Do you think maybe he'd be better off in a home where he can get free flight? Or are you set on keeping him?

I think it's easier to keep parrots and similar birds in cages because they don't fly as much as some birds. But pigeons are avid fliers, and keeping them in a small cage with no free flight is like keeping a wild horse in a box stall.

Is there any chance you could make him a large cage, large enough for him to fly around in? Or maybe build a special flight pen outside for daily exercise?
I have two pigeons that are kept in a cage that's 7ft high, by 36" by 46", and I made that one myself. It allows flight, but they still get antsy in it. Something that big would be better than nothing. Some people use galvanized carpenter's screen, but I used black plastic "carpenter's screen", which is cheaper, and you don't have to worry about rust, or sharp edges. If you have a staple gun, then you have a pretty easy job!

For taming the poor guy down to you, you might try offering him some treats in your hand. Pigeons love peanuts and soybeans (salt free only), or safflower seeds. And make sure you are feeding him a "pigeon" food diet. Your local feed store should have pigeon food. Pelleted pigeon/bird food is great too. And he'll need some grit, which you can order online at www.jedds.com, or www.foyspigeonsupplies.com.

Hope that helps some!

Suzanne


[This message has been edited by screamingeagle (edited December 08, 2003).]

[rjackso5]

Thanks so much for the reply!

I am not set on keeping him. I know he would be better off in a much larger area. What I am doing and have already done is to keep posting on the web and basically, get my feelers out.

I know the behavior patterns of doves and I mistakenly thought they would be similar to doves. I really do have his best interest @ heart. I don't believe that he should be kept in a house or such setting because obviously, it is not the same as being free to fly in the safety of an aviary or loft.

I do appreciate your help! If I have anymore questions, I'll be sure to ask.

Thanks again, Teena.

[rjackso5]

Suzanne,

I forgot to ask some other important questions:

1. I live in southeastern Wisconsin and with it being winter, I assumed that it is too cold out for him. Am I wrong? ( I just moved here from Arizona 7 months ago where I was able to keep my doves outside 24/7/365.)

2. If I am able to keep him outside, what exposure would be best? I realize I would need to provide some shelter from the wind and precipitation.

3. I do appreciate the tips for building an aviary flight. It might be something to consider. I do have a warm basement and all I would have to do is provide supplemental "sunlight". My doves made the transition from AZ to WI and then spent the summer and fall outside until the end of October.

Thanks for not blasting me off the board for being ignorant re: pigeons. I do want to learn. I guess it really doesn't matter what kind of birds we all love and admire- Just "bird" people are "bird people"!

[JGregg]

Please don't put the pigeon out this time of year, he's lived inside all of his life! He'll die of exposure. If you are going to have him be an outside bird, put him out into a loft in the summer so he has can adjust to the changing seasons.

[screamingeagle]

I myself don't know much about outdoor lofts, but JGreg is right about letting him outside now. As I'm sure you've seen, pigeons living outside in blizzards, and you wonder how they survive. It's only because they've gotton used to it, and have learned how to survive. Because your pigeon has been inside all his life, you'll need to expose him slowly. If he's used to 70 degrees indoor temp, maybe try setting him and his cage outside in the spring time when it's about 65 degrees, but only keeping him out for a few hours at a time. As it warms up, start keeping him out there. When night time falls, so will the temp, and that will also help him get used to colder temperatures.

I've heard of some people who keep birds in colder states have special heaters in their lofts, to help them stay warm. But I don't know what types they use. Maybe you could just get a reptile heating pad from a pet store, and stick it in next to his nest (not under, it could get too warm).

As for cage design and such, here are some clips of past posts about this issue:

"to begin with-- chicken wire will NOT keep out weasels, raccoons or possums. Raccoons especially with tear it like it's tissue paper. And I agree -- cover the floor for the winter too -- that is where the worst draft will come from!
Pigeons are hardy little critters. Keep the draft and damp away from them, and they can survive really cold weather -- our ringnecks are outside (in the loft), and manage just fine in our winters, which can reach 40 below.

As for frozen water -- you don't need to install heaters, simply go outside twice a day with fresh water, and they will drink then -- and be just fine.

Increase their corn in the feed a bit (in winter, we feed 50% corn). It is a 'hot' food -- helps the birds make their own body heat."

"I was just going to say stay away from the chicken wire! Get at least 1/2"x 1" 16 gage wire especially for the floor. My birds don't have any trouble walking on that, it is great for the summer, but in the cold winter you would have to figure something out to keep the draft out. Treesa"


---my suggestion, if you want to keep costs down, and only plan on keeping your current pigeon, or maybe getting him a mate, I would make the main house maybe a 3' cube (3x3x3'), with a small opening to a large fly area made out of plastic carpenter's screen, or metal carpenter's screen. Something large enough where they can fly, and perch during the day. To keep the house warm, maybe make it out of a sandwhich of wood and foam insulation, with the insulation in the middle. That will help keep the cold out. And you'll probably need to make a window or two in it to let more light in.

I guess that's a good start. Just keep posting if you have more questions.

Suzanne