Where to find birds

[ZigZagMarquis]

I'll admit this is just a curiosity type question as a friend of mine is into Pigeons, birds and, well, a lot of other assorted critters... but... just currious... If I were to decide to build a loft / coop in my backyard and keep a few homing pigeons... where would I go to purchase birds and/or mail-order them? I live in Southern California... Mojave area. Okay, this is going to sound stupid... PetCo?

[KIPPY]

That would be a no on Petco. They do have a sale on parakeets.
Do you have to have homing pigeons? Would you want to adopt a pigeon in need of a home?

[ZigZagMarquis]

Originally Posted by KIPPY

That would be a no on Petco. They do have a sale on parakeets.
Do you have to have homing pigeons? Would you want to adopt a pigeon in need of a home?

Nope, I don't have homing pigeons. I'd suppose I wouldn't be adverse to adopting a pigeon in need of a home.

Another question, would a large commercial bird cage be acceptable with a few mods in lieu of buiding a loft?

[KIPPY]

I have read on here where someone has modified two cages together for a pigeon. I have seen big rabbit cages at Petco. Not sure if that is how they did it.
I ended up building a cage with the help of Victor (employee at Lowes). The price of cages were insane and out of my range. You could build your own 3 times the size for way less money. I spent about $200.00 but I went overboard on the inside decore. So you could probably do it for less.
My opinion if you build a cage make it big and get it over with. LOL! I started small and now I'm on my like 5th cage.
If you do a search for cages, aviary and lofts you should be able to find info and ideas.
Keep in mind you may start out with two pigeons and end up with four. LOL! Something to think about.
I only have 3, so far.

[chris purvis]

www.eggbid.com has some good ones. just click on the bird link and then on pigeons-birds only and you are there.

[AZWhitefeather]

My opinion if you build a cage make it big and get it over with. LOL! I started small and now I'm on my like 5th cage.
AND Kim's not kidding.
I'm the grateful recipiant of one of her cages that I use as a transition home for an ill or injured pij that has recovered enough to graduate to the outdoors but not quite well enough to be released or when I receive one that will be released to my backyard flock which needs to become acclimated to the area.


Keep in mind you may start out with two pigeons and end up with four. LOL! Something to think about.
Or you may start with two pigeons & end up with four eggs!! I'm just giving you a bad time Kim.

On a serious note:
Pigeons make wonderful pets ZigZag. Unfortunately, there are so many rescued non-releasable pigeons that need a home. It might be worth considering.
I have 8 adopted non-releasable pigeons. Each has their own unique personality & I can't imagine life without them.

Cindy

[ZigZagMarquis]

I could probably build a 8'x4'x6' loft / coop pretty easily in my small back yard. What do you'all figure... good for maybe about 12 birds? ... start with 4, maybe??

[AZWhitefeather]

I could probably build a 8'x4'x6' loft / coop pretty easily in my small back yard.
Before beginning construction, I would first decide on what type of pigeon you plan on having, e.g., free flying or non-releasable. Free flying pijjies would most likely need a 'loft' or 'coop' where as non-releasable pijjies could do with a nice size (such as the one you have described) cage.

I have an 8' x 4' x 5' cage that houses 4 of my non-releasables. A mated pair & their two offspring. It's furnished with 4 perches, all different heights, as one pij has irreversible wing damage & is unable to fly from the ground to the top perch, a 'bridge' which Mikko loves to strut across, 1 hanging plant & two flower arrangements that are attached to the sides of the cage, which they enjoy nesting in. There's plenty of space for them to 'exercise' their wings by flying from one side of the cage to the other. Their legs also get plenty of exercise as they enjoy chasing each other around the cage.

After Sadie & Sam were born I began replacing the natural eggs with artificial ones to keep the pijjie population down.

Cindy

[ZigZagMarquis]

So... 8'x4'x6' would be good for only about 4 birds tops? Is there a rule of thumb for how much square footage one should have per bird?

As for the what type of bird question...

Well, I'd suppose I wouldn't be adverse to taking in a bird or birds that were non-releasable, but I'm also kind-of interested by the idea of having birds that I could allow "out" to fly around the neighborhood during the day. Of course, I've also thought my neighbors may not like that, so... on the other hand... non-releasable bird(s) may be the way to go.

Anyway, I'm basically just in information gathering mode and "thanks" to everyone for the replies to these and future questions & commentary.

[birdy]

Zig Zag,

Here is a link to a starter loft that is 4'x8' with an aviary that is 3'x8'. I built one of these in a weekend. The plans are straightforward and easy to follow. I would advise that if you have flying pigeons - homers, rollers, etc that you let out to exercise that 1 pigeon to 2 sq. ft. is adequate. So this loft could accommodate up to 16 pigeons but less is best. Overcrowding will cause a lot of problems with their health.

http://www.redroselofts.com/starter_loft.htm

There are some training posts on this site that instruct you on how to release your birds to exercise. It all revolves around feeding. You let them out and they fly for an hour or so then you call them in to be fed. Don't let your birds get into the habit of loitering around the loft or your neighbor's roof. They will only become a hawk's dinner, get worms from pecking on the ground, and poop all over your neighbor's houses and cars. If the neighborhood sees them flying and then zoom into the loft to be fed you will be looked upon like a rock star. If you get pigeons, there are only two safe places for them - in a securely built loft or in the air.

Good luck to you.

birdy

[AZWhitefeather]

So... 8'x4'x6' would be good for only about 4 birds tops?
Good Morning ZigZag,
No, not at all. I choose to have only 4 birds in that size cage because I have a solid white Old Dutch Capuchine, which obviously cannot be released although completely healthy, no handicaps (he was found wandering the streets) & his offspring Sadie & Sam are also fit as fiddles & white so even if I wanted to (which I never would) release them, they would not be good candidates, so they need plenty of room to roam. Pji'ette, Mikko's mate, is the only one that is physically challenged.

From what I understand, a bird needs enough room in a cage to be able to spread their wings without touching the sides of the cage.

I guess you could say I have the best of two worlds. I have my 'pet' pigeons as well as a feral flock of about 80 that visit my backyard daily. They are, of course, able to come & go as they please. They stop by for a good meal, a bath & bit of R&R & they know they will not be harmed.

I know absolutely zip about housing flighted birds, except their housing is different than that of a non-flighted bird.

Well, I'd suppose I wouldn't be adverse to taking in a bird or birds that were non-releasable, but I'm also kind-of interested by the idea of having birds that I could allow "out" to fly around the neighborhood during the day. Of course, I've also thought my neighbors may not like that, so... on the other hand... non-releasable bird(s) may be the way to go.
It's great that you are doing your 'homework' prior to purchasing a pigeon(s). Considering the welfare of your birds is vital. Unfortunately, there are cases where neighbors can be very hateful.

Others will be along to offer their suggestions as well.

Please keep us posted on how things are coming along.

Cindy

[ZigZagMarquis]

Et All...

I've got another thought / question... do any of you'all have problems with Ravens and Pigeons? There is a fairly good Raven population in my neighborhood and was wondering if they would present a problem for Pigeons? In otherwords, besides cats and dogs, could Ravens be a problem?

[birdy]

There are ravens and/or crows nearby. They seem to leave my racers alone. In fact, I have a positive experience in having them as neighbors for more often than not they chase away the hawks that cruise by.

I have heard stories where they will gang up on pigeons and even kill/eat them. I can only think that this happens when pigeons are milling about on the ground. They are no match in the air for a healthy flying homer. Again, keep them in the loft or in the air - just my humble opinion.

birdy

[ZigZagMarquis]

Again... thanks everyone...

I've got a couple of more questions / thoughts...


Landing Boards : Okay, I've been sketching up plans for a possible loft in my back yard. Obviously, a landing board & trap are included. Looking at most of the pictures and designes for lofts I've seen on this site and related pigeon sites I've found, the landing board is somewhat high off the ground, in some cases head height or higher. In my design, I'm thinking of putting it about 2 & 1/2 to 3 feet off the ground. Is that hight enough or does it need to be higher? Same question, different words, would a landing board that is really low, say only a foot or two off the ground present problems? I'd suppose a low board would just encourage the birds to hang out on top of the loft rather then heading back inside? Is that why they're so high up?

Kits : During my surfing research, I've also found a few... a surprising few in my mind... breeders / loft owners that offer to sell what they call something like a "starting kit" of birds. Usually 4 to 8 young birds for something between $250 and $500. I'm assuming... maybe I shouldn't assume... but I figure they mean these are "young" birds as in less then a year old, probably only a few months, and are ready to go to a new home. I'm guessing the higher the price, the closer then are... i.e. childern rather then grandchildren or great grandchildren... of champion stock the particular loft in question has? Kinda a related question... I know for puppies or kittens... a good number for when they can leave their mother and go to a new home is about 9 weeks. How does this work for pigeons? I was surprised to learn that a pigeon egg (if fertal and it survies) will hatch in only about 19 days... not quite 3 weeks. How long before the offspring can go to a new home? I assume these are what I've seen refered to as "weiners"... and not the hot dog type. Anyway, remember, I'm thinking of pigeons as a "hobby" / "pets" not to race them or be competative or anything like that. So is a "kit" offered by a breeder what I'm really looking for? I've seen one site where you can get 20ish birds for about the same price as the 6 to 8 in a kit I've metioned I've seen elsewhere. Not sure what the big difference is. I'd hate to think that I'd potentially trip across a "puppy mill" version of a pigeon breeder and contribute to that by buying their "cheep" birds... sorry I don't mean to offend by saying there may be such operations going on out there, I just don't know.


Anyway, I've got a couple of books coming which I'm sure will answer a lot of that, but in the interim, thanks again to all here for the advice.

[re lee]

Check with the local feed store. They will know if there is someone close that raises homers Then you just may get a few free or next to nothing. KIts are mostly pedigreed birds out of good stock. And yes some are just to make the seller money. If I still had racers I would give you some to start. But check the feed store and you may get lucky.