Pigeon Help

[Steele-Bird]

My brother, who is a naturalist, called me today to ask me if I wanted a racing pigeon. Hmmm...I have a couple of parakeets, but never a pigeon.

Some background. He got a call from a farmer who had found the weakened pigeon on his property and didn't know what to do with it. After it was given food, water and a cage for the night, it had regained its strength. Now, my brother has the bird in a dog kennel in his office, but his boss doesn't want him to keep it there. He has tried to find a suitable home for it, but living in a very rural area, he hasn't had any luck. The bird is leg banded, but when the owner was contacted he said he lost the bird 3 years ago and doesn't want it back.

If I did take it, it would be on a temporary basis, but I would like to know what I am getting in to. The bird would be kept in my house, so I would have to purchase a flight cage...any idea on a pigeons wing span? What food would it eat? Any other info on pigeons would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks.

[Willow]

I know soneone on here has a pigeon in their photos signature. Hopefully they pop in with some help!

[Joel]

Well if ya decide to take it temporarily or to keep it indefinitely, I would provide it with the longest and safest flight that you can afford to build. I suggest a MINIMUM of 7'longx3ft.deepx4ft.tall with double bottom to protect feet from outdoor critters and solid flat metal roof. I would also attach the flight to something solid on the whole backside and make the two ends also solid. The more security for the bird, the safer he feels......They eat lots of stuff. Ya can buy a pigeon mix at a feed store or make something on your own.... Mine like Zupreem Fruit Blend Pellets, crackers without salt, some grit once in awhile, mixed veggies, some scrambled eggs, some millet seeds, raw oatmeal, corn, some Brownberry Health Nut Bread, calcium sources, etc. etc....I would also try and position the cage/flight so it gets some direct daily sunshine.......Ya might also go to the library and look thru some pigeon books...... Good luck

Willow.....Camille is the gal with the pigeon in her signature area.

[cfulhage]

Joel knows a lot more about pigeons than me! I rescued Mollie several years ago when she was just a few weeks old. I was very ignorant back then, and well, old habits are hard to break- She just eats wild bird seed plus whatever my dad throws in there from the farm...sunflower heads, milo, corn, wheat, and probably some other stuff that I don't even know we grow. She looks very healthy, and her feathers have always been gorgeous.

Her cage is approx. 6'x8'x3.5' tall. It is outside though, I have no idea about inside flight cages. Take Joel's advice...

I love my pigeon. She is such a sweetheart, and flies to me on command (usually). I say, if you take on this pigeon, you are going to fall in love with her and not want to give her up!

Oh, we figure her wingspan is about 20-21 inches. That is just a guess though from seeing her fly. We have never measured.