Pigeons as Pets
2008-08-27

 Pigeons as Pets

Pigeons, domesticated for thousands of years, have been used in the past as sacrifices to gods, raised for food and kept as pets. Pigeons have carried messages across battlefields and from town to town, been couriers of news from distant relatives or reporters, and transported vital medications to dying people. Nowadays tame pigeons are still used to carry messages, but more commonly are raised pets, they are attractive, quiet, unobtrusive, have a calming, gentle voice, are fairly easy to tame, generally healthy and hardy, active but not demanding, require little maintenance and are usually inexpensive. They are easy to breed and make excellent parents. How good a thing to have a pet pigeon? Yes! Now, let me talk about some thing about pigeons feeding. Choose a right pigeon •Type If you are considering getting a pigeon for a pet, you should be aware that there are various types of breeds and some make better pets than others. For example, if you like your pigeon to be able to perform tricks, a show breed may be for you. These pigeons can do summersaults, and can race at great speeds. In addition, there are breeds such as the highflyer and tiplers that will fly at great heights and endure great distances. The parlor tumblers will entertain you and your friend as they do their summersaults when dropped. •Sex The only way to determine the sex of most pigeons is by behavior. At maturity, males tend to bow and coo and strut with fanned tails around their object of affection. They are quite vocal. Females are more demure. Pigeon care A good habitat •Pigeon’s cage has to be big enough for the bird to be able to stretch its wings fully. The bigger the cage? the better. And height is also important. For pigeons a wider cage is more important than a high one. •The location of the cage should be in a secure place where cats, dogs and other pets have no access. Keep it away from drafts, heat sources, fans. •It’s better to have their cage partially covered, at least two sides should be next to a wall or you can cover the cage with a blanket or towel. Make sure it doesn't get too hot in the cage and there is enough air flow through the cage, good ventilation is very important. WaterPigeons must have fresh water every day and at all times. Apple cider vinegar has many health benefits, so you can add it to their water once a week. Mix one teaspoon in a gallon of water, or a drop in an eight ounce water bowl. This should be followed by a day of clear water. Also once a week you can soak garlic clove overnight in the water which helps boost the immune system. NutritionPigeons are grain eaters. They need a mixed grain rations with a basic of 12-15% protein. What’s more, to pigeons that are kept indoors should have a vitamin, mineral supplement with vitamin D3. A good avian supplement can be found at a pet shop, or pigeon supply store. Do the cleaning•Bath. Twice a week you should offer a low cat litter pan filled two inches with water for a bath to which you should also put a tablespoon of vinegar. It makes their feathers really shiny and prevents contamination of the water from droppings if more than one bird bathes in it. During moult, you can give your bird wheat germ oil, three drops in their water for three days. It is rich in vitamin E which helps in growing healthy feathers. Another option is wheat germ powder added to their food. •Clean the cage. You can use vinegar to clean the cage daily. It is not toxic to birds and removes any odors and stains. It is acidic and can kill some bacteria and prevents the development of mold/funguses. If the bird is sick, after it recovers, you can do disinfect the cage with bleach, let it air dry and make sure they are no remaining odors from the bleach before I put the bird back in. Exercise If the pigeon is kept in the cage, it needs at least two hours a day of exercise, the more the better. A pet pigeon can be a true delight for the enlightened and informed. If you pay more attention to it, you are sure to make good friendship. .