How are my new birds and I going?

[Jeans16]

Heya guys,

I posted uh..coming up to two weeks ago, when I got my first ever pair of pigeons (fantails).
They seem to have settled in really well and I absolutely adore them, but I wanted to talk about what I've been doing with them, and make sure you guys think they're okay with that...

***They've got perches, seed, water, toys, and all of that of course, but the grit that I've got them has no ingredients listed on the bag, so if I took a photo of it would anyone here be able to tell me if it's the suitable kind for pigeons?

***I was very happy when after only letting them out three times to fly, they understood "come on" (with hand gestures) and put themselves back in their loft! Now (after doing that for 3ish days in a row) they're getting a bit cheeky and trying it on; having to be ushered around three times before they give in. Is it okay to take their food away for four hours before letting them out to exercise, to give them motivation to go back in?

***When they get sleepy and head onto their perches for the night, my fella and I go out and get them out of their loft (we chose then because they don't fight being caught, which stresses them less of course) and sit with them gently in the crook of our arm and on our lap, and stroke and talk to them for 10-15mins a night. Do you think this is okay, and not cruel?

I'm hoping to have very happy and healthy pigeons and I'm a bit of a nervous new Mum at the moment, sorry!


###Edit: Sorry Gurbir, I completely forgot to write for the second point that they fly inside my garage, I'd never let them outside. Sorry 'bout that!

[Gurbir]

You're first point, i can't really tell but my grit has oyster shell's in em (ground of course lol) and calcium. Don't know how you could get calcium from rocks but its in there lol

Your second point. You're right in your way. But some might say you're wrong. Let's start off with the food bit. Letting them out hungry is good because then they won't go too far and you won't lose them, since they're hungry. But bit is that these little guys are fantails, made for showing not flying. Although it's fine to let them out once in a while but against a hawk they would stand no chance. Also let them out every other day or every 2nd day. If you let them out everyday hawks will find out sooner or later that you have a free meal for them walking outside. :\ Also the more you let them out the more they feel free, so thats why they take longer to go inside now.

Third point. This is good. You get the birds more tamed and they won't be afraid of you.


You're doing good with everything If you ever have any questions someone on the forum here can answer them. Also i might be wrong with some of my opinions i gave you, but being 15 and 7 years of experience in pigeons i would say that's just about everything someone else would say but i'm sure someone else can give you a better answer Cheers.

[AZWhitefeather]

Originally Posted by Jeans16

When they get sleepy and head onto their perches for the night, my fella and I go out and get them out of their loft (we chose then because they don't fight being caught, which stresses them less of course) and sit with them gently in the crook of our arm and on our lap, and stroke and talk to them for 10-15mins a night. Do you think this is okay, and not cruel?

I'm hoping to have very happy and healthy pigeons and I'm a bit of a nervous new Mum at the moment, sorry!

Your intentions are good, wanting to love & interact with your birds.
My concern would be that they might become stressed in anticipation of being taken from their perching area once they get bedded down for the night. Just a thought.

Best wishes to you & your pijjies.

Cindy

[philodice]

Good point. My birds do not like to be disturbed, they get very emotionally distraught if frightened at night. I do like to go in and pick them up off the floor if they've been frightened off the perch in the middle of the night by loud noises, though.
Doves have a special, "I'm scared, don't be scary" noise they make, not sure about pigeons. It's like Keano Reaves saying "Whoa" real quiet.

[spirit wings]

Originally Posted by Jeans16

Heya guys,

I posted uh..coming up to two weeks ago, when I got my first ever pair of pigeons (fantails).
They seem to have settled in really well and I absolutely adore them, but I wanted to talk about what I've been doing with them, and make sure you guys think they're okay with that...

***They've got perches, seed, water, toys, and all of that of course, but the grit that I've got them has no ingredients listed on the bag, so if I took a photo of it would anyone here be able to tell me if it's the suitable kind for pigeons?

***I was very happy when after only letting them out three times to fly, they understood "come on" (with hand gestures) and put themselves back in their loft! Now (after doing that for 3ish days in a row) they're getting a bit cheeky and trying it on; having to be ushered around three times before they give in. Is it okay to take their food away for four hours before letting them out to exercise, to give them motivation to go back in?

***When they get sleepy and head onto their perches for the night, my fella and I go out and get them out of their loft (we chose then because they don't fight being caught, which stresses them less of course) and sit with them gently in the crook of our arm and on our lap, and stroke and talk to them for 10-15mins a night. Do you think this is okay, and not cruel?

I'm hoping to have very happy and healthy pigeons and I'm a bit of a nervous new Mum at the moment, sorry!


###Edit: Sorry Gurbir, I completely forgot to write for the second point that they fly inside my garage, I'd never let them outside. Sorry 'bout that!

I would leave them alone at night...try hand feeding them to get them tame, but they may never like to be held by humans...If they hatch babies you could start with them and handle them from 8 days old and they may end up being hand tame...