advice for starting up.

Hi, I am hoping to get some white homing pigeons. I have just started a pony ride business and we are having a pets corner   . I wanted a dove cote but when i looked into it I thought homing pigeons would be more interesting for the kids. We can go let them off and they can watch and time them coming home. Also thought might look into dove release for funerals (bit of money to pay for pets corner animals).
We was going to convert a lorry container 20ft by 10ft into an avery. We was also put the rabbits in aswell. We are hoping to do the rabbit s big runs eventually but this is just till the business gets going ,winter has been a struggle.   
Would you think the container will be ok.   we will make them nesting boxes and perches. Dont know what size wire.I was looking at half inch welded mesh. I used 1inch on my chicken run.   

Hello Merrylegs as you was saying I think a lorry back would be ok but I think it would be too big to be able to catch the birds I would say put a partition about six foot wide so you would able to control them and I dont rabits would go with pigeons as I think they would think it was cats and as you no birds dont like cats good luck on your new childrens park it sounds good this jmo you will get some advice on here all I can say do what sought you.

Thank you Ginger,
Did not realise about the rabbits, or catching them. What wire do you have on yours  

Yes I think smaller is better, if you have visitors looking at birds, then best for you is get some weaned babies and hand feed them so they are tame.
Racers and most pigeons can become super tame if treated right and handled often they will land on your head for treats like peanuts, so that's what I would do.
An 8x 6 shed is plenty and aviary makes them a bit wilder but is nice for the winter when your closed and they cant go out, but keep them tame, keep them slightly hungry and let them free.

Word of caution if your new to pigeons, every new starter makes the same mistake with pigeons, they keep food in a dish all day long, they don't need it.
Feed them only twice a day, keep to the times as close as you can, give them just enough so they still want more then stop and take it away.
You will get used to how much they will eat without being really full, or else they will be lazy, fat, lifeless and unhealthy and useless to you, believe me hungry pigeons are happy pigeons and you will get more fun out of them.

1/2 inch mesh is your best bet like rudd says 8x6 with a aviary on the front would be ideal for about 16 birds they need good air flow and plenty sun on their backs if you have the birds in to big a dwelling they will be wild and not very tame which takes all the fun out of keeping them atb

Oh right I am new to pigeons, my brother had them when i was little, I use to sit in the shed with them feeding them out my hand. Sadly my brother no longer with us so cant ask him.  
I was going to start of with 6 . Would I be able to let them free in the day for a few hours .  
What is the difference with keeping them in a loft  
Sorry for daft questions   

6 sounds good to start, A loft and a shed are basically the same thing, go on google images and put in pigeon loft and the pics on there might give you a few ideas.

if you get babies yes you will be able to let them out but if they are older birds then no ...best to start with babies but watch out for birds of prey I would not leave the birds alone until they are flying well

merrylegs wrote:

Hi, I am hoping to get some white homing pigeons. I have just started a pony ride business and we are having a pets corner   . I wanted a dove cote but when i looked into it I thought homing pigeons would be more interesting for the kids. We can go let them off and they can watch and time them coming home. Also thought  might look into dove release for funerals (bit of money to pay for pets corner animals).
We was going to convert a lorry container 20ft by 10ft into an avery. We was also put the rabbits in aswell. We are hoping to do the rabbit s big runs eventually but this is just till the business gets going ,winter has been a struggle.   
Would you think the container will be ok.   we will make them nesting boxes and perches. Dont know what size wire.I was looking at half inch welded mesh. I used 1inch on my chicken run.   

 White racers.white fantails,rabbits.....keep them very clean and try not to feed them yourself,just buy farm corn ect..spent 1/2 hour every day putting half handful in little paper bags you make up yourself...sell these to the mothers and kids.....you will make 10 times the profit...and your visitors pay to feed your animals...jesus christ you should be paying us for this imformation sunshine 

  Great all the advice , thank you. You can come and have a pony ride

merrylegs wrote:

  Great all the advice , thank you. You can come and have a pony ride

Poor old pony !!!!      if some of us tubby ones here     turned up for a free ride.   
*****

   could just be the straw that broke the camels back   

oldstrain wrote:

   could just be the straw that broke the camels back   

Could be O/S    I'm 6ft & 17 stone plus "True" & I suspect    if I just happened to jump on the poor old pony etc my leg's would be dragging along the ground as we trotted to the starting post.   
*****

   

Well knackered I think you could give the pony a ride  
I have got some big horses ,one is a shire cross ,so you will be fine.  

merrylegs wrote:

Well knackered I think you could give the pony a ride  
I have got some big horses ,one is a shire cross ,so you will be fine.  

Good girl      Book me a plane trip etc & I will put them all to the test of endurance   I suspect.
Nice to have you on board here Merrylegs    passing on your humour.

Well thank you,   
I am enjoying this site,nice group and great advice learning something everyday   , Like how Im going to fry my pigeons on the power lines  

merrylegs wrote:

Well thank you,   
I am enjoying this site,nice group and great advice learning something everyday   , Like how Im going to fry my pigeons on the power lines  

Unfortunately Merrylegs    at times ????       you may not have much to fry etc.