How can I make my pigeons more tame?

[fuzzhead_smurf]

I have seven pigeons that were feral and I rescued them when they were injured. Two of them are very pleasant and like it when I pet them, but the other five hate me like I was the devil. Is there a way I can soften their hearts and get them to like me? I've had them a long time, and I don't know why they still hate me. I even hand-fed two of them when they were babies, and now they can't stand me! Please help!

[Victor]

Hi again fuzzhead&smurf~

This is a very much asked question from people who are introduced to pigeons, in fact even if they have had them for a while. No please don't think that they hate you, they don't, it is just that it takes time and patience.

Spend as much time with them that you can, even if it is a quick pause when you go by them, nood your head and talk to them in nice tones. Offer them a treat til they understand that your intentions are not to have them for dinner.

My first rescue,Tooter, it took almost a year for him to accept us totally.After that, gee I couldn't keep him off me!

A few months ago, I recieived a beautiful Indian fantail from member JGregg, and he was so suspicious of me and anyone around him. Now, he hops on my hand when I am trying to put his feed and grit dishes inside, not the same pigeon it was two months ago.

Less than a month ago, I accepted another pigeon, a former racer from member Oxymoron, and I tell you I have never seen a creature so afraid of anthing in all my life! I couldn't even pass by his cage without him getting frantic. Now, he has calmed down. Him and I have a long way to go,it's not like he is hopping on my hand, or flying on top of my head when freeflying, but he will accept seeds when offered in my hand, so, yes, we have gone a long way.

Another recent rescue, a feral female bluebar had head injury that my wife treated, and she is the sweetest bird one could ever want, an absolute sweetheart, and just loves people. They all have their own unique personalities, are all different in their own special way.

It takes time and patience. Please do not be discouraged.

[Victor]

Oh, something else I forgot to mention, it is easier to train a single pigeon, or even two, but when you have 7 like yourself, it will be more of a challenge. They will stick to their own specie, unlike if it was only you and one, eye to eye everyday, it would eventually see you as one of its own. I have 5, and I try to spread the love around, but are are some days... !

[fuzzhead_smurf]

What's a good treat? Usually, I can't even get my hand close enough to them to give them anything.
I've had them for years, and I've never done anything to them to make them so afraid of me. I spend time with them in the morning and the afternoon when I feed them, and sometimes at night I come out to talk to them. Most of the feral pigeons that come by to eat food are tamer than my birds, which really confuses me. I just need to find a way to make them less hand-shy, so I can touch them and feed them. They aren't afraid of anything exept my hands. They'll step right over my feet, and sometimes fly right by my head, but as soon as my hand comes near them, they freak out.

[Victor]

Most of them see the hand as a separate entity of you, and see it as a threat. Try and put some seed mix in your hand, before you replenish their feeding bowls. I am assuming they are quartered in an outdoor loft of some sorts?

Different members can share what they provide for treats, such as unsalted raw peanuts,or safflowers seeds, but mine particularly love the shelled unsalted (of course!) sunflower seeds.

[Trees Gray]

Originally Posted by fuzzhead_smurf

What's a good treat? Usually, I can't even get my hand close enough to them to give them anything.
I've had them for years, and I've never done anything to them to make them so afraid of me. I spend time with them in the morning and the afternoon when I feed them, and sometimes at night I come out to talk to them. Most of the feral pigeons that come by to eat food are tamer than my birds, which really confuses me. I just need to find a way to make them less hand-shy, so I can touch them and feed them. They aren't afraid of anything exept my hands. They'll step right over my feet, and sometimes fly right by my head, but as soon as my hand comes near them, they freak out.

It is hunger that is the driving force behind a pigeons actions. It will make them perform and trap train easily. The ferals know you are their source of food so they will happily get close to you. Hunger can be used to your advantage with your own birds.

I'm not talking about starving them, but start feeding them breakfast out of your hands, before they have had anything to eat, that is a start.

Also, find out what they LOVE to eat for snack. Snacks is what really gets my birds attention. Mine are addicted to raw spanish peanuts and some of my wildest birds will fly to my hand for the taste of a peanut. They became quite submissive just for a peanut. Skye, who is my pet will automatically fly to my hand without any coaxing. But, he will get mad and call me all kinds of names if I don't have a peanut for him, and then he flies back to his cubby. I don't give them often, infrequently..and usually only one per bird.

[Maggie-NC]

We have about 26 and they kinda fall into 3 categores - some aloof, some friendly and then those that love us to pieces. I have found though that when I go out to their aviary and literally sit on the ground that all 26 will wind up somewhere near or on me every time.

You might try that and have some really delectable treat with you so you can feed them from your hand. We give ours as a treat - safflour seed, Zupreem pellets and Hartz Mtn. universal diet with rape seed in it. Not much, but just enough to make them happy. Also, make all hand movements slow. Even our tamest will suddenly fly away if I make a quick movement of my hands.

I have accepted that the more aloof pigeons will not change and just continue to love them anyhow.

[Victor]

[quote=Trees Gray]It is hunger that is the driving force behind a pigeons actions. It will make them perform and trap train easily. The ferals know you are their source of food so they will happily get close to you. Hunger can be used to your advantage with your own birds.

QUOTE]

Treesa you are so right. I feed my pigeons after their individual cages are cleaned and they get their morning shower mist which they just love.

Paris as most of you know (my recent addition) is quite the "nervous bird" but has been coming around to understanding slowly that he is not going to be hurt. He truly loves the unshelled raw sunflower seeds, and yesterday, he accepted a snack from my smallest measuring spoon, keeping an eye on me, but yet eating the seeds one by one. This afternoon, it was snack time, and he accepted a seed at a time from my fingers thru the bars. Very much a big step for Paris and I.

For Treesa~ In case you read this, almost every morning, around 10 am, they get their cages sprayed clean with the hose, and they are all offered a shower if they like. They all get a weekly treated bath, so I make it an option. Beaksley and Paris just love their morning shower on the lawn under the warm morning sun, and will lift each wing UP so they can get wet underneath! Then they will lift the other one. Chiwa does this sometimes too. Well, Rosco was watching Paris closely this morning, and caught on from watching Paris do the uplifting technique and up went his right wing, and he began enjoying his shower immensely for the 1st time. Soon afterwards, up goes the other one. In case some of you are wondering about Barbie Blue Bar, well, she will take the water IF she has too!! Not part of her personality like the boys I guess?

[Trees Gray]

Hi Victor,

Thank you for the special update for me. I'm glad to hear Rosco is becoming part of the "crowd" and really enjoying his morning shower.

He is such a special little blessing, give him a hug and kiss from me.

[battler]

you could bring in a bowl with food everyday, they'll know that you are the food source and will love you for it..

[mr squeaks]

Barbie may know somethin' the guys don't...one doesn't NEED a bath every day. She may want to be sure she can attract by using her - ah - "natural" scent?

Besides, a slightly "rumpled" look can attact too! LOL

[Victor]

I did not give any of them a shower today, just cleaned their private quarters. Though, Paris was trying to "accidently" get sprayed on.

I bought some unsalted raw peanuts, and Paris, Beaksley, and Barbie all accepted the peanuts whole, but spit them out. I cut them in half, same results. Soooo, I cut each peanut into quarters, and placed a bit in their afternoon mix.

They seem to really enjoy the unsalted raw sunflower seeds. I need to make a run to the grain store and get safflower seeds when I find the time. I got the hard ware cloth for the new loft/aviary, so it is a start at least!

Paris is warming up to getting his sunflower seeds from not only me, but Bev, "Coolpigeon" and "Hawkmaster", my 4 year old grandson.I was a bit worried that Paris, after what he had been through, being wild for a couple of years after being lost as a racer, and not wanted back, would never come around, but we are making good progress...well...off to training!

[alvin]

I suppose the answer to the question is that it is not up to you. Some birds are tameable, some have delusions of eaglehood.
It's totally up to them.

[Lovebirds]

Originally Posted by alvin

I suppose the answer to the question is that it is not up to you. Some birds are tameable, some have delusions of eaglehood.
It's totally up to them.

You said it all in a nutshell. Some birds will never be your "friend" no matter what. You just gotta luv em the way they are...................and try not to cuss to much when you have to "chase" them to catch them.......LOL

[alvin]

Originally Posted by Lovebirds

You said it all in a nutshell. Some birds will never be your "friend" no matter what. You just gotta luv em the way they are...................and try not to cuss to much when you have to "chase" them to catch them.......LOL

The upside of that scenario is, as long as they can poop on you and escape to giggle at you from the most inaccessable perch in the avery.......they are both happy, and healthy......
Between myself, and yourself, and nobody else......I'd rather that then the alternative.