Norman, the Sweet Pigeon!!

[tylermade]

Hi everyone!!

I wanted to report that Norman has gotten over his apparent fright at being moved, and is the sweetest bird!! Hasn't bitten me since.

I have the same question as Nancy about what to put on the bottom of the cage. Someone told me corn cob bedding. Or should there be anything on the bottom at all?

Also, does he need to have a shelf in the cage as well as perches? Do pigeons play with toys (like toys for parrots)?

Thanks!!

Diane

[JGregg]

I use brown paper bags cut to fit the cage to line the bottom. I like paper bags because they are durable and don't have inks which out gass like newspaper. My pigeons have round perches and their cages are always clean so they can hang around on the bottom of the cage.

Um, if Norman isn't being agressive I'm willing to bet "he's" a hen!

P.S. I've got two male pet pigeons.

[tylermade]

Should the floor be flat for pigeons, or should/can the grate be left in the bottom of the cage?

I guess only time will tell if Norman is possibly a Norma!! It's just nice not to be bitten!!

[AZWhitefeather]

Hi Diane,
Glad to hear Norman has settled down a bit.
Well, if your pij does turn out to be a little lady, the name can easily be changed to Norma. lol.

I use a piece of indoor/outdoor 'grass looking' carpeting in my large cages. I have two pieces, cut to fit, for each cage. It's great, each time I clean the cages I just hose off the soiled piece of carpeting, hang it over a patio chair, let it dry & it's good to go. While it's drying I use the clean one.
Cindy

[tylermade]

Cindy,

What a great idea. And I have some of that carpet left over from an old project! I can just cut a bunch to size and rotate!!

Thanks!

Diane

[AZWhitefeather]

Forgot to mention Diane,
I also use 'natural' tree branches for perches. My pijjies love them.

I have two large cages, not a loft, so the perches work wonderfully.
Cindy

[JGregg]

I'd cover the grate, pigeons like chickens prefer not to be walking on mesh. Mesh isn't very nice to lay on either (I wouldn't want to lay on it).