Lifespan of indoor birds

[phyll]

If you have/had a pigeon living indoors, flying only inside of your house, would you please post his or her age.
I'm wondering if pigeons who get limited exercise, have the opportunity of living to a ripe old age. I sure hope so. Thanks.

phyll

[dano7]

If the bird has a lot of time in a good size room it can get quite abit of a workout. A key would be to not overfeed it since it will not be burning a lot of calories flying. No more than an ounce of seed mix in most instances, maybe less.

[alea]

Oh Wow. Dano, help me out here,...
I know my birds are spoiled,... ridiculously so, in fact. But I feed them way too much I am afraid. I fill up bowls, and when all the milo is gone (their favorite), I add more seed on top of the picked-over seed. About once a week I dump it, wash bowls and start fresh. I add vitamins every couple of days as well.
I guess I should weigh out 1 oz. per bird each day? Do you think if I stick to this regimen they will get better nutrition and/or start eating the greens that I offer?
I never really worried about this because when Ali was sick, all I thought about was fattening him up. Yikes!
Nowadays, he's always eating, and obviously "fatter" than Bert.
Alea

[dano7]

Right, when they are babies, breeding, recovering it seems like the time to let them load up and select their favorites. And I have to avoid spoiling them all the time.

However, The top people in science as well as all the pigeon people I have talked to say it is no deal to allow them to "cherry pick" their favorites - this will not get the breadth of nutrients and it will encourage eating too much simple carbs. And they will not eat their greens probably.

People do this differently - some feed once a day though I think two a day is more common. Some have feeders available all day. Some allow them to eat all they can for 10 - 20 minutes and then take away the food. Others will tell us what they do perhaps.

The one ounce figure is a ballpark figure for an aviary bird. It might not be right depending on the size of the bird, the exercize amount, weather, and other factors I don't know about.

Birds in the wild will eat a little bit all day if food is plentiful and that is what I go for. I first put out finely cut greens (spinach, kale, lettuce, etc.) and raw carrots. I let that sit there a few minutes and they will eat a bit. Then I give them a seed mix which probably has various supplemental stuff I use mixed in powder form.

They pick their favorites, but by the evening feeding, they finish it all. The evening feeding repeats the vegetables and maybe less of the seed mix and all of the supplements. I clean up at the end of the day and anything left goes to my wilders the next day.

When you first introduce the vegetables Burt and Ali will go over to it and look up at you and say "What's going on here Alea - this no deal - not a good deal" Sorry boys this is the "new good deal". Eventually you will be surprized to see them actually eat.

[Thunderbird]

Dano was correct, but to elaborate a little: A racing homer that flys daily is good on an ounce per day. Rollers, ferals and smaller birds should be at a half ounce per day. It is adjusted as to the size and metabolism (ie, excercise) of the birds.

[phyll]

Dano,
Thanks for answering.
I have definitely been feeding Jesse too much. Now I cleared everything out & we are making a fresh start.
As for exercise, he flies in the living & dining rooms. The only time he enters his cage is for food & water. Since we found him four months ago, he has never been caged. Sometimes he flies back & forth fifty times or more. But some days he flys very little. Thanks.

phyll

[Danielle Chase]

Our pigeon Eggbert, is a "house pidge" - he stays indoors nearly all the time; but is not caged. He has free access at all times to food and water. He also likes shell corn and sunflower seeds. He flies some - from room to room. He weighs in at 11.5 oz. and will be 12 years old in December 2004. I've heard that pigeons can live 30 years - as long as they are happy, healthy and away from danger. Hope this little bit of info helps out. DC

[Trees Gray]

Thanks for the per ounce measurement Thunderbird, I have been cutting back on my flock. Knowing exactly how much to give them assures me that they are not starving. I realized we have been going thru too many 50 lb. bags to soon!

My retired birds, and my Satinettes, and Rollers, get just enough, until the feeder is empty.

My only concern is the pigeons sitting on the dummy eggs, by the time everyone has eaten they are just getting off the nests. I'm out there cataring to their needs too!LOL

Treesa

[dano7]

Thunderbird - the half ounce per day ration for my 300 gram wilder birds that you reccomend is about right I think. They seem to need about 3/4 of an ounce, but that is partly because my big king pigeon tips the scales. I heard the the 1 ounce figure was a starting point for a 400 gram homing pidgeon in a temperate climate that isn't flying 2 hours a day - then you adjust. Is that about right?

Treesa, I always spoil my hens on eggs, as well - "here you go dear, here's an extra tablespoon". Do you have to feed your aviary birds in a different time/place than your homers since they need different amounts?

[Trees Gray]

Hi Dano,

Usually the couples with the dummy eggs have seperate cubbies with their nests, so they are given their own cup of seed and water. But not all of them decided to nest there. I just remember the ones that get off duty and make sure they get a little extra.

Since they are sitting on dummy eggs (for their psychological needs and calcium reserves)I only have to consider their nutritional needs, because they won't have to feed any babies.

When you do have hens on real eggs, it is best to have a seperate room in the coop (a nursery) where the nutrional needs of all couples and their baby pigeons are met. Then you can leave food out all day. It is quieter and safe from young single aggressive males. It is just an ideal brooding facility all around.

Treesa

[phyll]

Danielle,
Your info did help. You have given me peace of mind & I thank you very much for answering. I needed to hear that someone had an indoor pigeon who was living a long life.
Now I have hope for Jesse.
Like your Eggbert, Jesse is not caged.
He does have a cage, but only enters it to eat & drink.
Thanks again.

phyll