Homing pigeons

[Homer1]

About a year ago I bought a couple of homing pigeons and bred them. They had two babies and ive had them in the cages for quit some time now. I finally let them out to fly and they did not come back. Do you think the birds I bout arn't really homing pigeons. I wonder if some one can help me with current situation.

[raynjudy]

Yes, you'll get help here. Please describe the circumstances of where the pigeons are kept and how you handled the release. All pigeons are, to some extent "homers". How many days has it been? How easy is the pigeons access to return? Provide the facts, and you will find help here.
--Ray

[Homer1]

It has been 3 days, And all I did was open the door and let them come out by them self. one bird came back. What i so is leave the door open and i,ll close the door at night when they perch for the noght.then ill seperate what ever birds came back into another cage until all birds returned. but its been so long since i let them go. I raised these birds ( not hand raised ) Myself and they only now of the cage they lived in for 10 months.

Is their any explanation as to why they don,t come back.
Homer1

[bigbird]

There is no sure way of knowing where the birds went and why they did not come back. If they were young, they were perhaps inexperienced with the local area, and so got lost. Perhaps one bird took the lead and took the others with it. There is just no way to know.
When introducing young birds to the outside, it is always best to put them in the company of some older, more experienced birds. They will usually follow the lead of the older birds.
I am sorry that I cannot be of more help to you, I am sure it is very hard for you not knowing where they are and if they will ever return.
Good luck,

Carl

[raynjudy]

Take Heart. I'm going to email you a copy of
a correspondence from friends in Kentucky. Their bird, Pige, has been missing for 6-weeks. Guess what? Check your email!
--Ray

[Homer1]

Well two of the birds returned but one never found home. It has been about three weeks now and I think i could say that, that bird is gone. well im breeding some pair too make up for lost birds now.
Big bird are you the one who hand raises pigeons?

[raynjudy]

Yes, he is THE MAN.

Stand by... He answers all!

--Ray

[bigbird]

Hi Homer1,
Yes, I have raised many baby pigeons right from the egg. They are much easier than parrots because they grow so fast and are on their own within about 2-3 weeks.
Is there something you would specifically know about hand raising?
Regards,
Carl

[ONEEYEPIGEON]

Hello Carl , I wanted to ask you something if i take a pair of babys away from their Parents will this upset them ,or make them stop laying , they have raise about three pair so far that have so many colors in them i would like to take at lease one and raise it by hand in the house. thanks for any advice . Walt

[bigbird]

Hi again Walt,
Taking a baby from the parents will not affect the parent's future performance. They will accept the dissapointment and then move on with more eggs and squabs.
If you are going to hand raise, suggest you do only one at a time. Even one is a hand full. You might also want to re-read "Lucky In Love"....which gives some more directions on hand raising. Let me know if you want me to send you a copy.
Good luck Walt,
Regards,
Carl

[Homer1]

Well Bigbird I had tried to hand raise a newly hatched pigeon and bought some stuff at the pet store for feeding baby birds and i fed they baby for about three days all the time still in the nest because the foster parents wass still incubating the baby bird but just not feeding it. there was another baby in the nest one week older then the one i was trying to raise. well it eventually died after three days. is thier any sugestions or recomendations you can give me for the next time this happens. can you actually raise a squab indoors without an incubator?

Homer1

[ONEEYEPIGEON]

Yes Carl i would reall like to get a copy .My Email is Joshray@centuryinter.net thanks alot . walt

[bigbird]

Homer 1,
The baby you chose was the runt, often the parents take the first born and let the latter runt die. They may know something we do not know. Anyway, if the bird had lived, it might have been crippled or something. I have one pet bird that was the runt, it cannot fly, and will never live a normal life.
When you take a bird from the nest to hand feed, do not return it to the nest. If you make the decision to feed it, it bedcomes your responsibility totally.
Brooders are not necessary. Place it onto clean paper towels in a plastic bowl, change the towels often. Place the bowl near a light bulb (not to close) for warmth. Cover the bowl at night. Feed on a regular schedule. Give it a little water also.
As for the schedule, amounts, etc. check out my "Lucky in Love" story. And ask me for more information as you go along.
Sorry about your loss.
Regards,
Carl

[Homer1]

Where can i find this story (lucky in love) I looked through this site and i can't find it.

[bigbird]

I will send you a copy via E-mail
Regards,
Carl