Table of Contents
Introduction :
Thousands of birds are available today and need to be adopted. Large animals like cats and dogs can be difficult for individuals to care for when they lack the resources or physical strength to do so. Adopting a pigeon is a wise decision in such situations. When domesticated, pigeons can live up to twenty years longer than their six-year average lifespan in the wild. Even though pigeons only have very basic needs, they still require appropriate care, therefore learning about pigeon keeping is crucial.
Pigeon Keeping for Beginners: Continue reading to find out how to properly care for pigeons if you’re thinking about getting one as a pet!
How to Start Pigeon Keeping?
As was previously said, pigeons are social creatures. When purchasing pigeons, it is suggested that you purchase at least two birds, while this is not required. But bear in mind that to maintain a pigeon mentally healthy, you’ll need to spend a lot of time with it. Where the pigeons originally originated from is a crucial consideration in determining whether they reside inside or outside. If the pigeon was rescued, it needs to spend the first several weeks outside to feel more at home. To keep it safe from predators, keep it in a cage.
The quantity of pigeons you purchase from a pet store determines whether they will dwell outdoors or indoors. If you have a small flock of pigeons, keep them inside your home in a big cage. The cage needs to be roomy enough for the birds to comfortably roam about, flap their wings, and rest. It should be simple to clean as well. More than two or three pigeons must be kept in an outside coop.
The pigeons should be brought inside during the winter or given a heat source outside. Pigeons need exercise too, the same as other animals do. Allow them to go outside and move around or fly for a while rather than keeping them in their cages all day. Avoid worrying if your bird flies away because their cage always has food and water available.
Feeding the Pigeons:
Pigeons don’t just need seeds for food, despite what many people think. Fruits, vegetables, and pelleted foods make up the ideal diet. These include, for instance, berries, apples, and chickweed. Give pigeons worms occasionally as a treat since they particularly prefer them, exactly like other bird species.
Pigeons need water as part of their nutrition. Avoid using tap water and make sure the water is always clean and fresh. For their convenience, water should be kept in a container within their cages or coop all day.
Make sure your racing pigeon receives daily calcium intake from supplements if you own one. By combining these supplements with their food, you can add them. Keep a closer eye on the health of racing pigeons because they are more active than regular pigeons. Give it electrolytes if it seems more fatigued than normal.
How To Take Care of Pigeon’s Health?
Any organism has the propensity to become ill occasionally, despite safeguards and sufficient care. Similar to humans, pigeons can get sick, but it’s critical to catch any signs right away to prevent additional damage. Isolating the sick pigeon from the flock is the first thing you should do. This stops the disease from spreading and is safe for the sick pigeon and the other pigeons.
Something which many bird keepers tend to forget is making sure stray birds don’t enter the same cage as their birds. Forgetting to do so increase the chances of pigeons getting sick. Illness can also occur if there is improper care while cleaning the pigeon cage/coop. Instead of plain water, add disinfectants to the water to avoid bacterial diseases. Pigeons need a good air supply while in their cage, so make sure to leave some space for an air pathway. These birds do not like damp conditions, so keep the coop and cage dry at all times.
How To Train the Pet Pigeon?
Believe it or not, pigeons occasionally display rebellious behavior! The pigeon is not uncomfortable just because it chooses to sleep outside or refuses to return to its cage after being let out. These are rebellious behaviors, and such pigeons need to be trained to stop.
In order to keep your pigeon safe and healthy, it is imperative that you train them. Untrained pigeons could escape their coop at any time and eat something that would make them sick. Despite having access to plenty of water at home, untrained pigeons frequently access gutter water and drink from it.
Taking Care of Baby Pigeons:
Pigeons typically mature at six months. It’s typical for the mate and the female pigeon to become overly protective when she lays eggs. Once the eggs hatch, both of them will take good care of the young, and they won’t require any additional care for around a month. The only meal the babies can digest during this time is the crop milk that is produced by both parent pigeons.
Consult a veterinarian for advice on feeding a baby pigeon without a parent. Most likely, a commercial baby bird mixture will be suggested to you, and you will need to use a syringe to feed the bird. To prevent infection, make sure the syringe is washed in hot, boiling water after each use. Feed the baby bird this combination up to three times daily until it is five days old. After that, use a bigger syringe to feed the pigeon.
The pigeon should start learning how to feed itself at 3 weeks old. Put some seeds in the animal’s cage. Additionally, until it is one month old, continue giving it water by syringe. By six weeks, the pigeon is no longer a baby and requires the same level of care as an adult bird.
Conclusion:
Pigeons have historically shared the closest relationship with humans of any bird species. It is also justified because, in contrast to other birds, pigeons are amiable and sociable creatures. Prior to the invention of the telephone, messages across borders were sent via pigeons. You can begin maintaining pigeons even if you’re not experienced. Just keep in mind that pigeons require the same care as cats and dogs. So, take good care of them. They make fantastic family pets, and having them in the house is a wonderful experience. If done properly, you and your family will benefit from its company for a very long time.