A Pigeon For A Pet?!
a message from Kari Jo
Keep a pigeon... as a pet in the house??
Yes! My most favorite pigeon "Brooklyn" (a hand raised feral) lived in the house for almost 4 years before being moved to his outdoor Pigeon Palace! Even now, though he has all his pigeon friends to play with, Brook still follows me in the house whenever he can. Brook will sit quietly preening on my shoulder while I work at the computer or read a book, he snuggles next to me and the dogs on the sofa when we watch TV or a movie, he follows me into the shower, plays in the bed covers, and loves to play in the sink once the dishes are done. Brooklyn is a companion bird, in every sense of the phrase.
I worked as a behaviorist with parrots for 15 years, and I can tell you by far pigeons make the absolute BEST companion birds. The day "Brooklyn" moved in permanently (the day I decided to stop trying to make him fly away) was the day I said I had worked with my last parrot! (I still do outside parrot consulting behavior work, but no more rescue/rehab in my home)
Pigeons may not mimic human speech like parrots can, but there is no less a bond or sense of companionship.
Pigeons can be snuggly, cuddly, comedic friends - every bit as bonded and devoted to its human as any parrot. Like any companion animal, you get what you put into it. But a pigeon is much less demanding than any exotic bird. They do however require an ample cage kept clean, lots of out-of-cage play time, simple parakeet and cockatiel sized toys, a good diet (pigeon grit, quality seed/grain mix, occasional greens, fresh water, pellets are also an option), and a loving family.
They are loaded with personality, and the countless breeds of pigeons out there come in such an incredible variety of shape, size, color, and feather that I think there's a breed out there for just about anyone.
If you're considering a single pij (or pair) as a pet, don't be put off by the talk of vaccines and meds - any house pigeon that does not "fly with a flock", interact with other flying pigeons, or show, has really no need for any routine medical care or even vaccines after he's been brought current on everything and placed in your home. Just as dogs and cats get vaccines, so too do pigeons that interact with other pigeons (especially racing and homing pigeons). House pigeons who live indoors would have little chance of catching anything from unhealthy pigeons. (Same as an indoor cat having little chance of catching anything from unhealthy feral cats if he doesn't come into contact with them!)
I think Ancients and some other small bodied Tumbler breeds (about half the size of a regular pigeon) make excellent in-home companions. Their small size means a smaller cage, though since they can't c;imb like parrots, daily flight time is hugely important. Either in an aviary (outdoors or in) - or you can always get a pigeon diaper (yep! they make 'em!) and let you pigeon have run of the house under supervision.
All of the breeds I work with make excellent pets. Budapests are gregarious and fearless, quickly taking to walking around a home as if it were their own castle. Berliners are docile and gentle, and love showing off by "zittering" (shaking their neck)! Ancient Tumblers all have a calm disposition and naturally curious nature (compared to some more flighty or aloof breeds), and their unique feathering make them really beautiful to look at (shell crested, feather footed), and they "pose" on tippy toes when showing off! Classic Old Frills, larger than our tiny tumblers, make spectacular pets. Calm, cuddly, and very engaging. Westies, though generally quite calm, can be a bit on the aloof side, but will happily settle in for a long nap in your lap while being petted. And the Lahores? It's like having a lap dog! They're big birds, and they like you to know they're boss - but a hand-tame Lahore makes a spectacular pet (though due to their large size obviously require more ample living quarters).
There is a very cool world of fancy pigeons out there to discover, and remember, even untame adult pigeons will tame quickly and bond with you closely if given time, love, patience, and care. All of my adult resident pigeons came to me unfriendly and wild. But within a week or two of daily handling and love they were coming to me of their own accord - as dog-tame pets. Not just calm and accepting, but actively seeking interaction and attention. A truly remarkable thing!
I am so happy when one of my feathered kids goes to a pet home instead of a loft because I put a LOT into each baby. Please do not hesitate to ask questions. I am here and happy to help you every step of the way! From cage and food selection... to matching you with the perfect Pidgie Pet! Pet homes always take precedence over loft or breeding homes, so be sure and let me know if this your preference and you will have a higher spot on my waiting list!
Best,
Kari Jo
p.s.
Please remember that though my birds may be tame and loving towards me, they may take a little while to get to know you and adjust to their new home. Be patient! Be loving! And be persistent. I have tamed wild feral pigeons in 10 minutes, and had ultra tame babies take 2 months to get used to a new owner. It really depends on the bird, and it depends on you!
Yes! My most favorite pigeon "Brooklyn" (a hand raised feral) lived in the house for almost 4 years before being moved to his outdoor Pigeon Palace! Even now, though he has all his pigeon friends to play with, Brook still follows me in the house whenever he can. Brook will sit quietly preening on my shoulder while I work at the computer or read a book, he snuggles next to me and the dogs on the sofa when we watch TV or a movie, he follows me into the shower, plays in the bed covers, and loves to play in the sink once the dishes are done. Brooklyn is a companion bird, in every sense of the phrase.
I worked as a behaviorist with parrots for 15 years, and I can tell you by far pigeons make the absolute BEST companion birds. The day "Brooklyn" moved in permanently (the day I decided to stop trying to make him fly away) was the day I said I had worked with my last parrot! (I still do outside parrot consulting behavior work, but no more rescue/rehab in my home)
Pigeons may not mimic human speech like parrots can, but there is no less a bond or sense of companionship.
Pigeons can be snuggly, cuddly, comedic friends - every bit as bonded and devoted to its human as any parrot. Like any companion animal, you get what you put into it. But a pigeon is much less demanding than any exotic bird. They do however require an ample cage kept clean, lots of out-of-cage play time, simple parakeet and cockatiel sized toys, a good diet (pigeon grit, quality seed/grain mix, occasional greens, fresh water, pellets are also an option), and a loving family.
They are loaded with personality, and the countless breeds of pigeons out there come in such an incredible variety of shape, size, color, and feather that I think there's a breed out there for just about anyone.
If you're considering a single pij (or pair) as a pet, don't be put off by the talk of vaccines and meds - any house pigeon that does not "fly with a flock", interact with other flying pigeons, or show, has really no need for any routine medical care or even vaccines after he's been brought current on everything and placed in your home. Just as dogs and cats get vaccines, so too do pigeons that interact with other pigeons (especially racing and homing pigeons). House pigeons who live indoors would have little chance of catching anything from unhealthy pigeons. (Same as an indoor cat having little chance of catching anything from unhealthy feral cats if he doesn't come into contact with them!)
I think Ancients and some other small bodied Tumbler breeds (about half the size of a regular pigeon) make excellent in-home companions. Their small size means a smaller cage, though since they can't c;imb like parrots, daily flight time is hugely important. Either in an aviary (outdoors or in) - or you can always get a pigeon diaper (yep! they make 'em!) and let you pigeon have run of the house under supervision.
All of the breeds I work with make excellent pets. Budapests are gregarious and fearless, quickly taking to walking around a home as if it were their own castle. Berliners are docile and gentle, and love showing off by "zittering" (shaking their neck)! Ancient Tumblers all have a calm disposition and naturally curious nature (compared to some more flighty or aloof breeds), and their unique feathering make them really beautiful to look at (shell crested, feather footed), and they "pose" on tippy toes when showing off! Classic Old Frills, larger than our tiny tumblers, make spectacular pets. Calm, cuddly, and very engaging. Westies, though generally quite calm, can be a bit on the aloof side, but will happily settle in for a long nap in your lap while being petted. And the Lahores? It's like having a lap dog! They're big birds, and they like you to know they're boss - but a hand-tame Lahore makes a spectacular pet (though due to their large size obviously require more ample living quarters).
There is a very cool world of fancy pigeons out there to discover, and remember, even untame adult pigeons will tame quickly and bond with you closely if given time, love, patience, and care. All of my adult resident pigeons came to me unfriendly and wild. But within a week or two of daily handling and love they were coming to me of their own accord - as dog-tame pets. Not just calm and accepting, but actively seeking interaction and attention. A truly remarkable thing!
I am so happy when one of my feathered kids goes to a pet home instead of a loft because I put a LOT into each baby. Please do not hesitate to ask questions. I am here and happy to help you every step of the way! From cage and food selection... to matching you with the perfect Pidgie Pet! Pet homes always take precedence over loft or breeding homes, so be sure and let me know if this your preference and you will have a higher spot on my waiting list!
Best,
Kari Jo
p.s.
Please remember that though my birds may be tame and loving towards me, they may take a little while to get to know you and adjust to their new home. Be patient! Be loving! And be persistent. I have tamed wild feral pigeons in 10 minutes, and had ultra tame babies take 2 months to get used to a new owner. It really depends on the bird, and it depends on you!
What do you need to keep a house pigeon?
The best cages I've found for indoor pigeons are:
Large indoor dog kennels outfitted with shelves, flat perches (as Pigeons cannot grasp rounded dowel type perches), parrot-type large cement or misshapen sand perches available at pet stores, and a nest bowl. Remember, width and length are more useful to a pigeon than height of a cage.
Here is a great set-up:
http://www.pigeons.biz/forums/picture.php?albumid=590&pictureid=9644
Other options are: large ferret cages (they often come pre-outfitted with shelves!), indoor cat cages, rabbit hutches, and indoor aviary type cages. A cage should be 2 feet deep if not more to allow the bird room to move.
http://www.amazon.com/Midwest-141-Ferret-Nation-Cage/dp/B000F4UNCG
http://www.ferretnation.net/prevue-hendryx/prevue-hendryx-jumbo-steel-ferret-cage/
http://www.cardinalpetsupply.com/custom/cart/edit.asp?p=267534
http://www.critter-cages.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=2&products_id=509
http://www.critter-cages.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=22&products_id=601
Feed/supplies you would need:
Pigeon Feed - 17% (this refers to the protein content, you also want a mix suitable for shorter beaked pigeons, so one with popcorn is OK, but one with the larger corn kernels is not). Instead of "free feeding" (where the bowl is always full), give the bird 1-2 TBSP in the morning (gauge how much by how much he eats). If allowed to have a full bowl all the time, pigeons will pick out only the bits they like, which is not healthy. It's better to feed a small amount each day and let them eat it all (or most of it). Pigeons don't need to be eating all day, especially ones that aren't out flying/racing. If you're traveling, obviously it is OK to fill up a large bowl so they have food for the weekend or whatever.
I use basic 17% pigeon feed as my base, then add to it (by purchasing seeds and grains from local health food stores, quality/enriched canary mixes at pet stores, and online at JEDDS Pigeon Supply) so my final blend contains:
Austrian Peas, White Millet, Oat groats, Maple Peas, Canada Peas, Whole Hard Wheat, Red Milo, Oat Groats, White Kafir, Red Millet, Buckwheat, Rice, Canary Seed, Rape Seed, Flax, Safflower, Rice, Mung Beans, Lentils, Hemp, Popcorn, Lafaebers brand Canary Pellets, Harrison's Organic Ultra-Fine Pellets.
The Purgrain company is on the West Coast, if you are too then you should call and see if they have a distributor near you, they have wonderful blends, including one for short-beaked birds which you can mix with their Pigeon Candy for a great mix!
http://www.purgrain.com
Grit suitable for pigeons, should always be available to the bird.
The only one I like (it's 100% complete and packed with minerals):
http://www.jedds.com/-strse-1611/*NEW*-Belgian-Multi-dsh-Mix-Grit/Detail.bok
They also have it at Vita King, you can get an 11 lb bucket for $16 which will last you a really long time! (scroll down the page, look for "Mineral / Grit Buckets":
http://www.vitakingproducts.com/Vitamins&GenHealth1.htm
Vitamins: if the bird is eating the pellets in the feed, additional vitamins aren't needed. Minerals come from the grit used above. If no pellets are fed or eaten, you can get a nice mix from any pigeon supply store online (JEDDS or VitaKing). These are powdered usually, and sprinkled over the feed or put in water (which should be changed daily if vitamins are in it).
Bath Salts: not necessary, but pigeons love them and it helps keep them very clean. Pigeons should be allowed to take a bath in a few inches of warm water in the sink or tub (they can get really splashy!) once a week. This will help keep feather dust in the home down too.
Never clip a pigeon's wings.
Never fly your pet pigeon outdoors, no matter how tame.
Always allow a few hours of indoor flying/play time every single day.
Perches:
My favorites are little shelves (if they are wire, be sure and attach a little piece of wood or felt or carpet on top for comfort. Wood shelves are best, or plastic as long as it's not too slippery). Also, add a large parrot-sized perch like these to keep nails trim:
http://www.drsfostersmith.com/product/prod_display.cfm?c=5059+5771+15079&pcatid=15079
http://www.drsfostersmith.com/product/prod_display.cfm?c=5059+5771+5872&pcatid=5872
(make sure it's turned so the side that is widest/flattest is the side he will rest on)
Nest Bowl for sleeping:
Vita King sells a nice selection, I love the plastic terra cotta one, outfitted with a nest felt (get a few, replace the felts every few months. You can poke holes in them and tie them to the bowl through the holes in the bowl-bottom to prevent slipping using sisal or cotton twine).
:)
I think that's about it!
There are many medications available for pigeons, but you shouldn't need them. Med Pet makes a good 4-in-1 which is nice to have on hand as a "just in case". Also, you should deworm your new friend twice if the previous owner hasn't already done that for you (WormOut is a good one and easy to use). If you ever do encounter any sickness, JEDDS is very helpful and quick to ship. Sadly, most veterinarians are a little useless when it comes to pigeons. Pigeons kept in the home rarely if ever fall ill, however.
Large indoor dog kennels outfitted with shelves, flat perches (as Pigeons cannot grasp rounded dowel type perches), parrot-type large cement or misshapen sand perches available at pet stores, and a nest bowl. Remember, width and length are more useful to a pigeon than height of a cage.
Here is a great set-up:
http://www.pigeons.biz/forums/picture.php?albumid=590&pictureid=9644
Other options are: large ferret cages (they often come pre-outfitted with shelves!), indoor cat cages, rabbit hutches, and indoor aviary type cages. A cage should be 2 feet deep if not more to allow the bird room to move.
http://www.amazon.com/Midwest-141-Ferret-Nation-Cage/dp/B000F4UNCG
http://www.ferretnation.net/prevue-hendryx/prevue-hendryx-jumbo-steel-ferret-cage/
http://www.cardinalpetsupply.com/custom/cart/edit.asp?p=267534
http://www.critter-cages.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=2&products_id=509
http://www.critter-cages.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=22&products_id=601
Feed/supplies you would need:
Pigeon Feed - 17% (this refers to the protein content, you also want a mix suitable for shorter beaked pigeons, so one with popcorn is OK, but one with the larger corn kernels is not). Instead of "free feeding" (where the bowl is always full), give the bird 1-2 TBSP in the morning (gauge how much by how much he eats). If allowed to have a full bowl all the time, pigeons will pick out only the bits they like, which is not healthy. It's better to feed a small amount each day and let them eat it all (or most of it). Pigeons don't need to be eating all day, especially ones that aren't out flying/racing. If you're traveling, obviously it is OK to fill up a large bowl so they have food for the weekend or whatever.
I use basic 17% pigeon feed as my base, then add to it (by purchasing seeds and grains from local health food stores, quality/enriched canary mixes at pet stores, and online at JEDDS Pigeon Supply) so my final blend contains:
Austrian Peas, White Millet, Oat groats, Maple Peas, Canada Peas, Whole Hard Wheat, Red Milo, Oat Groats, White Kafir, Red Millet, Buckwheat, Rice, Canary Seed, Rape Seed, Flax, Safflower, Rice, Mung Beans, Lentils, Hemp, Popcorn, Lafaebers brand Canary Pellets, Harrison's Organic Ultra-Fine Pellets.
The Purgrain company is on the West Coast, if you are too then you should call and see if they have a distributor near you, they have wonderful blends, including one for short-beaked birds which you can mix with their Pigeon Candy for a great mix!
http://www.purgrain.com
Grit suitable for pigeons, should always be available to the bird.
The only one I like (it's 100% complete and packed with minerals):
http://www.jedds.com/-strse-1611/*NEW*-Belgian-Multi-dsh-Mix-Grit/Detail.bok
They also have it at Vita King, you can get an 11 lb bucket for $16 which will last you a really long time! (scroll down the page, look for "Mineral / Grit Buckets":
http://www.vitakingproducts.com/Vitamins&GenHealth1.htm
Vitamins: if the bird is eating the pellets in the feed, additional vitamins aren't needed. Minerals come from the grit used above. If no pellets are fed or eaten, you can get a nice mix from any pigeon supply store online (JEDDS or VitaKing). These are powdered usually, and sprinkled over the feed or put in water (which should be changed daily if vitamins are in it).
Bath Salts: not necessary, but pigeons love them and it helps keep them very clean. Pigeons should be allowed to take a bath in a few inches of warm water in the sink or tub (they can get really splashy!) once a week. This will help keep feather dust in the home down too.
Never clip a pigeon's wings.
Never fly your pet pigeon outdoors, no matter how tame.
Always allow a few hours of indoor flying/play time every single day.
Perches:
My favorites are little shelves (if they are wire, be sure and attach a little piece of wood or felt or carpet on top for comfort. Wood shelves are best, or plastic as long as it's not too slippery). Also, add a large parrot-sized perch like these to keep nails trim:
http://www.drsfostersmith.com/product/prod_display.cfm?c=5059+5771+15079&pcatid=15079
http://www.drsfostersmith.com/product/prod_display.cfm?c=5059+5771+5872&pcatid=5872
(make sure it's turned so the side that is widest/flattest is the side he will rest on)
Nest Bowl for sleeping:
Vita King sells a nice selection, I love the plastic terra cotta one, outfitted with a nest felt (get a few, replace the felts every few months. You can poke holes in them and tie them to the bowl through the holes in the bowl-bottom to prevent slipping using sisal or cotton twine).
:)
I think that's about it!
There are many medications available for pigeons, but you shouldn't need them. Med Pet makes a good 4-in-1 which is nice to have on hand as a "just in case". Also, you should deworm your new friend twice if the previous owner hasn't already done that for you (WormOut is a good one and easy to use). If you ever do encounter any sickness, JEDDS is very helpful and quick to ship. Sadly, most veterinarians are a little useless when it comes to pigeons. Pigeons kept in the home rarely if ever fall ill, however.
