Pigeons are great indoors or outdoors.You can give indoor pigeons plenty of time out of their cage, and outdoor pigeons will love spending time with you in their large aviaries.
Step 1: You can buy or adopt young birds.
Birds that are younger will adjust to you and your home quicker.Younger birds shouldn't have to deal with any bad experiences with their previous owners.Birds that have been domesticated should eventually learn to trust you as well.
Step 2: Birds are happy if you pick them in pairs or groups.
Pigeons need a constant companion.Birds will be together for life if they choose to court and mate.You should keep at least two birds.If you have enough room, you can create a small flock of pigeons.You might need to keep the pigeons from breeding if you end up with a pair.Female pigeons lay eggs.Remove the eggs and replace them with warmed-up wooden eggs.The pigeons will sit on the wooden eggs until they realize they won't hatch.Leave the eggs outside for other animals to eat.Each month, this process will need to be repeated.The female bird won't lay eggs if it is sitting on a fake egg.calcium deficiency and death can be caused by laying eggs too often.Without a male bird, any female bird can lay eggs.You can buy fake eggs online.You can try theeggshop.com.
Step 3: You can save homeless pets by adopting pigeons.
Many pigeons have no homes at animal or bird shelters.While adopting may not allow you to choose the exact age or breed of pigeon that you want, you will be helping out a bird in need.Buying birds through breeders is more expensive than adoption.Any initial vet bills are covered by most adoption services.If you make a good match, they will allow you to foster your birds.It is possible to provide you with birds that need more time before they're tamed, or that never become fully comfortable being touched or handled by you.Be prepared to spend a lot of time building trust.
Step 4: If you want to buy a specific type of pigeon, find a breeder online.
Contact the breeders directly.If they are willing to send photos of their facility to make sure their birds are treated well, ask how long the breeder has been operating.You can choose from younger birds, racing, homing, and other types of pigeons.They'll give you a pair of birds that are used to spending a lot of time with people.Birds from breeders are more likely to be handled quickly.They'll cost more than the birds.
Step 5: Do not adopt wild pigeons.
If you find a lost or injured pigeon, you should take it to a wildlife rescue that won't kill it.Wild pigeons will never be as tame as domesticated pigeons.It's not right for the wild bird to be prevented from enjoying its previous lifestyle.Call the facility to make sure they're prepared to care for and release the pigeon before you take it to the rescue.There is a map of bird-safe rescues located in the United States.
Step 6: A large aviary is needed for outdoor birds.
The outdoor pigeons will spend all of their time inside the aviary to keep them safe from the outside world.To create a 7-foot (2.13-m) by 4-foot (1.22- m) space for 2-4 birds, you need to create at least 6-7 feet.It's a good idea to make a sloped roof to keep out the weather.It is possible to leave a small area of the roof exposed to the elements by covering it with a mesh.Your pigeons will be able to play in the rain if you add this to your aviary.Open the sides of the aviary with a half-inch (1.27 cm) of mesh.Long, rectangular spaces make it easier for pigeons to fly around.Don't use circles or hexagons.King Pigeons require outdoor aviaries.
Step 7: It's easy to clean your aviary by laying down drain rock.
Line your floor with cement and drain rock.You can clean your aviary with a covering of drain rock.You'll need to clean pigeon poop off cement or wooden floors daily, while drain rock can be hosed down or raked every week or so.The larger the rocks and pebbles, the less likely your birds are to swallow them.Keeping out digging predators requires a cement floor.If you can't lay down cement, line the floor with hardware mesh with openings of half-inch or less.The mesh needs to be covered with drain rock to protect the birds' feet.
Step 8: There is a sunny outdoor area.
Pigeons love the light, so place your aviary in a spot where it can get plenty of sunshine.Ask your neighbors where they'd be most comfortable with the aviary since pigeons do coo and make noise.You won't become your neighbors' new worst enemy.
Step 9: You can choose a cage that is safe for birds.
Two birds need a cage that's no smaller than 42 inches wide, 27 inches deep, and 30 inches high.A plastic or yoga mat that's cut to size can be used to cover the bottom of the cage.If you have other furry animals in your home, you'll need thinly-spaced bars that keep out snouts and teeth.Pigeons need 1/2 inch to 5/8 inch bar spacing because they have small heads, and they shouldn't be able to stick their heads between the bars.Newspapers or bird litter are included in good cage liners.
Step 10: It is a good idea to locate your cage away from fumes and natural light.
Pigeons have poor vision in low light and indoor spaces will always be dimmer than outdoors.If you locate your cage in an area that gets a lot of sunshine, you will get additional lighting from a mounted full spectrum light.Don't smoke, light candles, or use air fresheners inside your home, and keep the cage away from the kitchen to prevent the birds from inhaling cooking fumes.Teflon or non-stick pots and pans give off toxic fumes that could hurt or kill birds, so be sure to avoid cooking with them.If you can't put a full spectrum light in the room where your birdcage is located, place a lamp next to it.
Step 11: New birds need time to adjust to your home.
Birds need about a week to get used to their new surroundings.Ensure that you and everyone else in your family give the birds the time and space they need during this adjustment period, and keep their environment quiet.To avoid traumatizing your new birds, keep your pets away from the cage or aviary.During the first week or so, it may be a good idea to keep young children away from your pigeons.Children may not fully understand why they have be quiet or calm around the birds, and this may cause them to think they're in danger.
Step 12: Voice calm around your pigeons.
It's important that your pigeons don't become scared of you as they get used to you.When you approach the cage, keep your hands behind your back.Speak, sing, or coo softly to the birds to comfort them and make them familiar with the sound of your voice.
Step 13: You can introduce yourself by spending time near your birds' cage.
Spend more time with your birds as they get more comfortable with you.Give your birds more time if they are still hiding or cowering.For a few hours each day, study or read next to their cage or aviary.
Step 14: While the birds are in their enclosures, feed them treats.
Provide treats by reaching through the bars or wire mesh of the birds' cage.Put the treats on the ground.This will let the birds know that you care for them.Slowly, the birds will start to take treats.You should stay outside of their enclosure the first few times.The security of the cage will let the bird know they are safe.Once they've eaten out of your hands, either open the cage door or let yourself into the aviary to feed them more directly.
Step 15: Birds can explore your home if they are comfortable.
If your birds respond to your presence and eat out of your hand, they're ready to leave their cage.If you feel the birds are ready, start this process as soon as you can.Pigeon pants are used if you're worried about getting pigeon poop in your house.They are cute and practical.The birds will be less likely to fly into ceiling fans, walls, or out-of-doors if their wings are clipped.This practice is considered to be inhumane by some.
Step 16: Don't fly any domesticated pigeons.
Free flights should not be allowed for indoor or outdoor pigeons.They are vulnerable to attacks from predators once they're domesticated.Pigeons protect themselves in flocks in the wild, so if you have a pair or small group of birds, they won't be able to do this.Birds may not be able to find their way back to you if they fly too far away.
Step 17: Let your birds come to you.
Allow your birds to set the pace.Rather than grabbing the birds, let them hop into your hands.The birds will not get scared of you if you keep this in place.Birds should become playful eventually.
Step 18: Birds should be kept safe from other pets.
Birds are a constant threat to other animals.Be very careful when you close your bird cage or aviary because it can be dangerous to animals and birds.Zip-ties and outdoor aviary locks can be secured with a carabiner.This will keep the birds in.You can find bird cage locks in pet stores.
Step 19: You can give your pigeons shelves, perches, and mirrors.
Birds need places to rest and play.Pigeons use shelves and perches for lounging and watching the world.A mirror will act as a sort of television for your birds, as they'll be able to see themselves in the mirror.During wet or cold weather, birds will need boxes to keep them warm.
Step 20: Give your pigeons a bath.
Pigeons enjoy bathing and playing in water.Place a large ceramic casserole dish or plant saucer filled with clean water in their cage.The water should be changed daily or more frequently.If your bird isn't bathing, they might not be feeling well.If your bird has damp feathers, mist them with water.Contact your vet if not.
Step 21: Ensure that your birds have fresh water.
Pigeons need to stay hydrated.Birds should have access to clean water in bowls that won't tip over.Change the water daily with ceramic bowls filled with water.
Step 22: Birds should be fed bird seed and leafy greens.
Each bird of pigeon-appropriate bird feed will get 2 ounces per morning.Take a small amount of feed each day until you find out how much feed your bird can eat in a day.A small bowl of chopped-up carrots, broccoli, snap peas, cauliflower, and/or romaine lettuce should be provided 3-4 times per week.A good-quality pigeon or dove feed will contain a mixture of safflower seeds, crushed oyster shells, bird-safe grits, and a few other seeds and grains.