Pigeons and A Soundless environment?

[Pigeonpal2002]

Hey Everyone,

I have a weird question that I've been thinking about. I have 4 pigeons that I keep indoors in my basement in a room created just for them and their needs. I live in a house (alone) on a quiet street. I sometimes open the windows for fresh air and for the birds to hear outside noises....other birds chirping, people talking in the distance, or just sounds in general. I can't leave the windows open all the time because i'm afraid of bugs, or cats getting in. And now in Canada, it's getting cold and don't want to create too much of a draft situation. I spend as much time with my birds as possible, cleaning, observing/talking to them but I do work a full time job as well. So, with this said, does is seem like this environment might be "TOO QUIET" for them all other times? When i'm not with them doing things, or the windows aren't open, it's REALLY QUIET down there and I'm wondering if this is "Boring" for the birds. Would it be un-stimulating, therefore leading to boredom? I was thinking of putting a small portable radio in their room for background noise. This is just one of those things that have recently come to my ever thinking mind and how I can improve their lives. Any suggestions, comments or experiences are welcomed.


Thanks in advance,

Brad

[Motherlodelofts]

Brad I would say that some sun shine and fresh air would be much more important.
Scott

[KIPPY]

If I had an extra room in my house I would just turn it into a bird room. The basement sounds kind of like a sad situation for birds to be in.

[Pigeonpal2002]

Hey Kippy and Motherlodelofts,

I was afraid to say I kept my pigeons in the basement of my house for fear that some might think this was an unfavourable place for pigeons to be But in my defence, let me give you a little more background info. The room is quite big. It's 16' X 12', two windows allowing southern exposure sunlight. They have heating and air conditioning in Summer. Their room is fully equipped with several perches (7 in total) for 4 birds. They have a nesting box area that I constructed myself and complete ventilation. The floor is raised and not on the concrete foundation. Everything is finished in the room except for the ceiling. Also, my pigeons are Giant Runt Pigeons. Meaning that they are not a flying breed of pigeon. They will never be/have been free flying birds and could never survive in the wild. I fully understand that sunlight and pigeons go hand in hand and necessitate a healthy environment so in lue of all that direct sunlight they would get in an outdoor loft, they get a full spectrum lighting source, Vitamins; D3, A. ACV, Garlic juice and a completely fortified and varied seed diet. So, given all of this, I DON"T feel that their life is compromised as much as you might think it is living in my basement. I'm hoping that someone else might have some insight though on sounds and pigeons or whether or not this is important to their overall wellbeing. Some birds like parrots need more stimulous, so I was just curious if anybody had any experience with this same issue with pigeons.


Thanks again,

Brad

[Izzy]

I'm not sure what others think, but whenever I hear the word "basement", the first thing I normally picture is a underground, dark, secluded, musty, scary place, lol! I know that is not always the case, as I've had friends who have refinished their basements and it sounds like "your" basement is like that also.

I know for a fact how much you care for your pigeons and wouldn't doubt that some outside ones would love to come in and live the good life.

I think it's awesome that you've thought about "sounds" in their environment, again, another thing that shows your love for your birds. I wish I had something to share in that area, but unfortunately, everything I know about pigeons, you've told me about, heh.

It's funny because today I was thinking about housing for Mel & Misty and I'm about to make a post on it. I look forward to hearing replies to this thread and it's made me wonder if there has been research done with pigeons and noise stimuli and how it affects their behavior, hmmm.

Izzy

[Motherlodelofts]

Brad as long as they can get direct sun then they should be happy, A radio isnt a bad idea of soft music and I keep one on in my loft constant. On the basment thing make sure it stays dry and there is some sort of ventilation.

[KIPPY]

I would use a radio. I do for my dogs when I go out of town. Something mellow no Howard Stern.
I put a tv out on the patio so I wouldn't miss a Nascar race while working on the yard. Kippy would watch American Idol when it was on.

[AZWhitefeather]

Kippy would watch American Idol when it was on
Kippy would probably vote as well.

Brad,
I must say, I think your setup sounds quite inviting. I agree with the sunlight, in that it is vital the pijjies have access to it at some point during the day.

I have four housed pigeons in our AZ room & in one corner I have a fairly large three tiered fountain that is on during the day.
I thought of getting one of those tapes that has the bird sounds but I don't think any of them could hear it over Pij & Bandit's 'cooing'.

Cindy

[maryco]

I like the nature sounds idea, Cindy!

Great suggestion.. and the fountain is cute too, I have one and Pearl watches it when it's on in my sisters' room, makes her open and close her beak like she is thursty

[TerriB]

I think a radio is a good idea. TV would also be nice for short periods. Pigeons are very social birds and we all know how nosey they can be! :-)
The first year we had Walter as a single bird and my husband would feed him on a towel on the desk while he (husband) worked on the computer. Walter seemed interested in the changing shapes and colors on the screen. (He is a show type King pigeon and flies about as well as Brad's birds.)

Another reason for having the radio on - have you ever noticed how quiet it gets when a hawk flies by? Nature always has something going on, so quiet usually means there is a threat. Pigeons depend on the normal chatter of other birds as a way to watch out for danger.

[AZWhitefeather]

and the fountain is cute too, I have one and Pearl watches it when it's on in my sisters' room, makes her open and close her beak like she is thursty
I love to hear nature's sounds.
When Pij used to stand on the window sill watching the flock outside he would take interest in the fountain like Pearl.
There is a notation on the bottle of solution I use to keep the water clean that states it is safe to use around all wildlife.
As cats will be, Reese got al little too curious one day & fell in.
I was in the office & heard an 'all to familiar sound'. My first thought was, "What has Reese gotten into now?" It was the fountain.


Cindy

[maryco]

Lovely fountain, Cindy

And what a cutie Reese is, sounds like something my cat Honey would do

[cyro51]

Hi Brad,

It is so sweet of you to think of their need for stimulation by sound !

I have an outdoor aviary but I can't say that I have noticed my pigeons pay much attention to outdoor sounds, they are too busy making a racket themselves. But they certainly respond to human voices and each one will turn its head when I call its name, although this might be coincidental.

However, from reading this forum over the years it does seem as if pigeons like sound, even human voices singing , so the suggstions for bird sound tapes, radio and TV all sound good ones!

Cynthia

[John_D]

Hi Brad -

I think it seems like a really good setup you have for the birds.

I wonder if what you say about sounds probably applies to any birds inside. My parents had a succession of budgies, and it was mandatory to leave the radio on if there was no-one home. And, I have to say, they did seem to be extra chirpy when they were in the room with a radio or TV on, if we just quietly observed them

John

[Pigeonpal2002]

Thanks Everyone!!

For the suggestions and general consensus....a radio it is I know that pigeons like a quiet environment without too much going on but I just wondered if PERHAPS it was a LITTLE too quiet for them sometimes.


Thanks again for the replies,

Brad