Lots of questions,,, I know nothing about pigeons

[jbangelfish]

Originally Posted by eric98223

Bill i dont know what your neighbor can gett from your bird poop but pigeons unlike seagulls dont poop in flight. something probably having to do with where their feet are when they fly.


onecoolmama welcome from all of us and ask away. but remember if you ask 10 different pigeon people the same question, you will get at least a dozen answers. lol

E..

As many birds do, the stimulation of a takeoff seems to inspire a poopy. Anyway if this fresh bird poop could kill you, I should have been dead years ago as I've had about every kind of bird get me from head to toe and everywhere in between. As to my neighbor, he's just a crazy old coot who started listening to his paranoid wife too much.

To say that pigeons don't do it during normal flight seems alittle bit of a stretch to me. Some birds such as Tipplers, Highfliers, Rollers and Homers are known to fly for many hours at a time and I seriously doubt that they can hold it that long. I think the Tippler record of flight is over 20 hours. It is entirely possible that they will kick their feet out of the way to accomplish this as I've seen such peculiar movements with pigeons in flight.

Bill

[jbangelfish]

Originally Posted by MaryOfExeter

We just got some today from Lowes. As long as you don't get the kind that you apparently put in swimming pools? You'll find the right kind in with the fertilizers/bug killers. It works well, and so does Sevin dust (although d. earth is harmless enough to put with food in storage, while sevin you don't want to get in the mouth/face).

Someone here pointed out that you have to have the right DE for it to be effective. Probably why I didn't like how it worked as I tried it for lice years ago and went the cheap bulk route with the swimming pool stuff. It actually wasn't completely ineffective but it didn't completely control the pigeon lice either.

Seems to me we used sevin dust to treat cows with mange which comes from a mite or louse. They get it above their tail and you just sprinkle it on the area. Not good stuff for breathing in.

Do you know the active ingredient? Is it Sevin or is it Malathion or are they the same?

For those who choose to use DE, while it is considered quite safe, aren't these things considered silicates as in silica sand? Silicates are known to cause cancer and this knowledge has changed how sandblasters do their jobs as they seemed to be getting alot of cancers. There are warnings on bags of silica sand.

Bill

[philodice]

Naturally deadly to pigeon lice:
"NEEM IN THE AVIARY:
Neem has been certified by health authorities in the USA and Europe as being non-toxic to birds, animals and humans. The properties of neem oil support the effectiveness of garlic and ACV. Neem oil can be mixed in with the oil you might place on perches to water proof them. A few drops of neem oil will keep pests such as mites and mosquitos off the perches.
Neem is good support for PMV cases, and makes great preventive treatments for parasites and many diseases. A few drops in the seed dish once a week keeps bugs out of the seed.
+++

Neem oil vs. Mosquitos

Neem Products repel and affect the development of mosquitoes. In a study, two percent neem oil mixed in coconut oil, when applied to exposed body parts of human volunteers, provided complete protection for 12 hrs. from bites of all anophelines. Kerosene lamps (Not for use around birds) containing 0.01-1% neem oil, lighted in
rooms containing human volunteers, reduced mosquito biting activity as well as the mosquitoes resting on walls in the rooms; protection was greater against Anopheles than against Culex. Effectiveness of mats with neem oil against mosquitoes has also been demonstrated; the vaporizing repelled mosquitoes for 5-7 hrs at almost negligible cost. The seed kernels of the Neem tree are rich in limonoids, bitter tasting chemicals that effectively block development, feeding and egg laying in many species of insects.
"
Just put a drop on the bird's tail, and one on the back of his neck.

[philodice]

DE
". I do have the CFR numbers showing FDA and USDA approval for using Diatomaceous Earth (DE) as a feed additive. I have been studying feeds and feeding for some time now and, about 6 months ago, I started learning all I could about diatomaceous earth. This is a natural pesticide and has no ill effects when used with animals. Be sure to get the food grade diatomaceous earth because it has been approved by the FDA and USDA. (The pool grade and filter grade have not been approved as a feed additive and it may be harmful to use them and they will not accomplish the desired results) ..."
"“Both swimming pool grade and natural diatomaceous earth come from the same fossil sources but they are processed differently. The natural grades are mined, dried, ground, sled and bagged. The pool grade is chemically treated and partially melted and consequently contains crystalline silica which can be a respiratory hazard. Thus, IT IS IMPERATIVE THAT ONLY NATURAL DIATOMACEOUS EARTH BE USED FOR INSECT CONTROL. This noncrystalline silica is not a hazard as the human body apparently can dissolve it. “

“Silicosis refers to lung contamination and irritation by crystalline of free silica (Si02). Crystalline describes the orientation of the Si02 molecules which occur in a fixed pattern in contrast to the non periodic, random molecular arrangement defined as amorphous. Exposure to free silica is an occupational hazard to workers. “

Step Two:
Make sure the DE you use meets World Health Organization (WHO) safety standards. WHO cautions that DE with a crystalline silica content over three percent (3%) is dangerous for ingestion by humans or animals. Safe Solutions, Inc. DE has less than 1% free silica. Swimming pool DE ranges from 60% to 70% free silica.
"
"Diatomaceous earth can be applied in a variety of ways. to use for flea and tick control, apply a light dusting over the lawn, in dog runs, around pet bedding or favorite resting spots and sprinkle a little on your pet between baths of a mild herbal soap.........."
(Quotes from pigeon and dove care e-book)

[LokotaLoft]

just to add to the statement that pigeons dont poop on the wing , well I hate to break it to you but the proof is in the pudding and I have seen it for myself that they do the doo while in flight so dont believe everything that you hear lol

[onecoolmama]

Wow, there is a wealth of knowledge here! Walter is doing great, no more lice . We did let him do some free flying yesterday, he stayed in the yard and followed us around, he likes perching on the house and just watching what we are doing. I think we will only let him out like that while we are in the yard, dont want him to be a hawk snack. When he is older, how can we sex him to see if Walter is a good name or if we should change it to Walterina?

[Trees Gray]

Originally Posted by onecoolmama

how can we sex him to see if Walter is a good name or if we should change it to Walterina?

You will notice a sudden BIG change in a male personality when he starts to mature. Usually the male pigeon will become noisy with roo-kooing and dancing in circles, and he will defend his territory by pecking and biting anyone who tresspasses. Anywhere you allow him (as well as his cage)free roam he will think is his territory, so you will see a big change in him wherever he calls home.

Hens are more quiet and will coo only when you try to motivate them. Some hens can be more noisy and fool you.

If you put him with other pigeons it will be much easier to figure out his/her gender.

[onecoolmama]

Oh wow, I hope Walter turns out to be a girl then. Dont need any aggressive birds here.

[onecoolmama]

Lets see if this works...

[onecoolmama]

Well it did work! Walter says HI!

[mr squeaks]

Walter is one COOL pigeon and quite handsome!!

I would really caution you about letting him outside even you are out! There will nothing you can do if a hawk decides that Walter will be his next meal!! MUCH TOO DANGEROUS.

Build a loft for him or let him fly in the house if it's safe...

Just my two cents...you would sure hate to lose him!!

Shi, Squeaks, Dom & Gimie

[Lovebirds]

Originally Posted by onecoolmama

Well it did work! Walter says HI!

He's a cute little thing............

[onecoolmama]

"I would really caution you about letting him outside even you are out! There will nothing you can do if a hawk decides that Walter will be his next meal!! MUCH TOO DANGEROUS."

We have decided to build him a loft, we dont want him getting hurt or gone. My house is very small and I just can't let him have free run in there. He really HATES being in the cage we've got for him so, until we get the loft built (soon), we do let him out for short spans and he spends time on our screened porch... but I hate cleaning up all the poo. How can one baby pigeon make soooo much pooo!! Do they make pigeon diapers,lol?!?

[onecoolmama]

So what are the vital components of a good loft for one bird?

[Lovebirds]

Originally Posted by onecoolmama

So what are the vital components of a good loft for one bird?

I wouldn't recommend a loft for just one bird. He will be unhappy and lonely in a loft all alone. If you are set on just one bird, I would keep it in the house as a pet. If you really want to put him in a loft, he'll need a companion, however, it's best to wait until you figure out what he is. A he or a she...