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| My NEW pigeon hutch; or u could say custom loft lol | |
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| Tweet Topic Started: Sep 2 2012, 03:20 AM (929 Views) | |
| Crazy Bird Lady | Sep 5 2012, 11:42 PM Post #11 |
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They are fine, kept them locked in hutch today as it rained all day. Im taking tomorrow off and we are all gonna bake int he sun
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| Crazy Bird Lady | Sep 5 2012, 11:58 PM Post #12 |
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Well the birds have worked out some sort of truce. The checkered one does not attempt to go near the hen now. The whites have bonded and were kissy facing AND I saw them breeding today, they sure dont waste any time. I have a nest bowl there and some timothy hay and we shall see how it goes. Exciting. I bough 2013 bands today for the birds. Bands cost .35 cents each for 10 plus shipping of 5 for a total of 8 bucks, cant beat that, they are closed ring aluminum coated plastic. So I can keep track of the parents and bubs if they turn out to be clones. haha |
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| VIOLET12 | Sep 6 2012, 12:58 PM Post #13 |
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Respected elder
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Sounds like you have a plan. Have a fun day off!
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| Crazy Bird Lady | Sep 7 2012, 04:08 AM Post #14 |
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Thanks, I got lots done. I was ready about predators for the pigeons and am now worried. It says weasels can chew thru chicken wire. Im not sure now if my hardware cloth is strong enough to keep the mink out of it. I sprayed all around the dog runs with WD-40 in hopes that it keeps anything from going near. It did stop the beaver from chewing my trees but not sure about the weasels. It also said that squirrels can and will kill eggs and tiny chicks. So I gotta figure out something else. I may have to buy a heavier guage wire or just completely enclose the loft in plywood. I can leave an opening at the top front with double wire I guess for ventilation. I will post the predator info so Tish can have a look. I googled it especially for the smaller hawks such as a sharp shinned as they are small enough to squeeze thru the bars of the front door. So I wanted to see if they were listed as a predator and they were. I thought the coopers was the pigeon hawk, but it looks like a sparrow hawk is just as dangerous to pigeons. I have more work to do in that case. I wont sleep well enough till I have them secure. |
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| Crazy Bird Lady | Sep 7 2012, 04:12 AM Post #15 |
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Here is the article.... also says to encourage crows to hang out as they will set up alarm if the weasels or coons or mink.... Pigeons have many enemies and predators and hopefully this post will outline and describe a few of those. Pigeons were born to be prey animals and therefore are hunted and killed by a great number of carnivorous and omnivorous animals. Pigeons are generally defenseless animals and other than speed of flight, stand little chance against their hunters. Hawks: Although not all hawks are bird eaters, a great many species will attack and kill pigeons if they have an opportunity. Cooper's hawks, sharp shinned hawks, goshawks, sparrow hawks, kestrels, peregrine falcons (most falcon species) are all bird hunting raptors. All of these avian hunters have speed or stealth to capture your pigeons. Falcons will use outright speed (often in a stoop or dive) to catch a pigeon, whereas the accipter species like the cooper's, sharpies and goshawks rely on a surprise attack after a short burst of speed to catch a pigeon. Red tailed hawks, red shouldered hawks, broad winged hawks are members of the buteo family of hawks and are not generally bird eaters. They are more soaring birds in flight and don't possess neither the speed or agility to catch most healthy flying breeds of pigeons. Still, they will seize upon any opportunity and when it arises to catch and make a pigeon it's next meal. Sick, injured or generally weak pigeons make easy prey for any hawk or falcon. Owls: Owls are extremely diversified hunters and have a wide range of animals on their diet. Most owls are nocturnal, hunting at night. Great horned, barn and barred owls will attack pigeons at night on their roosts when they are most vulnerable. Owls have superb night vision and since pigeons don't, they can become easy targets for a hungry owl. Owls also have exceptional hearing and their flight is virtually silent due to specially adapted flight feathers. During daylight hours, a strong, healthy flying pigeon has the advantage and will generally be able to escape the clutches of a hungry owl. Cats: All felines are potential predators of pigeons, regardless of their size. Luckily, we don't have wild lions or tigers here in North America, but these are two species of the great cats that would likely not bother with trying to make a meal out of a tiny pigeon. Otherwise, all domestic cats and their wild cousins like the bobcat or lynx wouldn't mind or find it beneath them to snatch a pigeon from it's loft or on the ground feeding. Cats are cunning, swift, silent and deadly. They are master stalkers of their prey and have great speed when needed to catch a pigeon or any bird. They are also great leapers and jumpers that can snag birds in mid flight with their bacteria laden claws. Cat scratches and bites are often fatal to pigeons even if they survive the initial attack and escape. Dogs: Not all canines are bird killers but many are either trained to do this, or it just comes natural. Dogs are less likely to catch a healthy, fit flying pigeon by sheer power of speed or cunning. However, dogs will and can kill pigeons when given the opportunity. Unhealthy, sick or injured pigeons would be their likely prey. Stray, wild and hungry canines could be an enemy of your pigeons. Raccoons, Skunks and Weasels: Raccoons are classified as omnivores, meaning they eat practically anything. They are very intelligent, have extremely dexterous "hands" and can be quite savage when hunting or crossed. They are mostly nocturnal and if given a chance, they will make light work of flimsy chicken wire and break into a coop/pen and kill your pigeons. Skunks are slow, cumbersome animals but they are also omnivores and members of the weasel family. They too could find a way into your loft or pen and kill a few pigeons that landed on the ground or became stunned or confused. They have sharp teeth and claws very capable of killing a pigeon. True weasels are deadly and extremely adept hunters of birds. They are swift, small, muscular and determined little hunters. They can fit into very tiny holes or cracks and once inside a loft or pen, will quickly go to work killing as many birds as they can. They are known to be one of the few animals that will kill for the sake of killing, sometimes killing dozens of birds but only eating a couple. Mice and Rats: Rodents are generally not a huge threat to your pigeons. However, both can carry bacterial diseases like salmonella or E. coli that can be transmitted to your pigeons and might eventually kill them. Their droppings are the source of the contamination and if it infects either the feed or water containers in your loft, then your pigeons could become infected and might become sick and/or die. Both mice and rats are omnivores as well, but rats pose a greater threat to pigeon adults and their eggs & young. Rats are big enough and strong enough to kill an adult pigeon and eat any babies or eggs. Not all rats will attack a full grown pigeon, but hunger and opportunity plays a significant roll in what might happen. Rats have sharp incisors that can kill or mame pigeons. Squirrels: Another member of the rodent family that is well known for it's taste for eggs and bird nestlings. They generally don't seek out or hunt pigeons, but if they gain access into your loft or pen, probably wouldn't hesitate to eat some eggs or young pigeon chicks. Snakes and Reptiles: Many snakes are egg and nestling eaters. Depending upon where you live, the adults of several species are hunters of birds and able to eat adult pigeons as well. Snakes are also able to slide into holes and cracks that are very small, like weasels and once inside a loft or pen, can do some significant damage. If the birds stay off the ground, they are safe, but nestlings and nests closer to the floor, could very well be at risk from such a predator. Since snakes swallow their prey whole, there is a good chance that they will not be able to leave your loft after ingesting a hardy meal and will become trapped inside. Other reptiles one might worry about are young crocodiles (Southern USA like Florida or Louisiana). Likely not a high risk factor for any healthy, fit pigeon however. Crows, Jays and Ravens: These birds are also omnivorous, highly intelligent and opportunistic creatures. They generally pick on, kill and eat the weak, infirm and young of other animals because they lack the killing tools to do otherwise. Crows, ravens and their kind are big time egg and nestling thieves. Eggs and young birds provide them with easy to tackle meals in a size they can handle. These birds might be able to gain access to your coop or loft and if they do, chances are you will lose eggs and young baby pigeons. Adult pigeons generally cannot defend against these larger and stronger birds and will give way to a larger and stronger crow or raven intent on nest raiding. Crows and ravens can be very beneficial birds to have around your property and because of their immense hatred towards hawks and owls. If you can keep them out of your lofts but persuade them to hang around your property, you might have a friend against hawks, owls and even cats. They will mob, harass and drive these other animals away from their territories and also sound the alarm for your pigeons once one of these predator threats is nearby. I think I've covered most of the predators & enemies of pigeons. I know there are others but probably from different countries and continents that I'm unaware of. It's important that people with outdoor lofts consider the following: 1) Use screening that is 1/4" inch or less, make sure all holes, gaps, or cracks into your loft are sealed, 2) make sure your pigeons are fit and healthy because of proper nutrition, care and regimens. 3) Train your flying pigeons to trap quickly and try be one step ahead of anything that might harm your birds. Try to envision anything happening and preventing it, because you just never know when bad luck or an enemy of your pigeons will strike and how. |
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| cspags | Sep 7 2012, 06:26 AM Post #16 |
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Respected elder
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Wow scary stuff, I can understand your conern. |
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| VIOLET12 | Sep 8 2012, 02:37 AM Post #17 |
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Crap! Born to be Prey (that sucks.) Maybe it would just be better to let them loose to come and go. I mean you are going to be heart broken if you go out there and something is a miss. ya know?
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| Crazy Bird Lady | Sep 8 2012, 05:09 AM Post #18 |
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No cant do that, my place is a veritable hide and seek forest for the birds of prey. I have to go by the seasons when its safer to fly at certain times of the year. My pigeon friend said now is NOT the time to fly them. I will get him to email me a flight schedule for them He said to breed one clutch or two right now. So I have them set up, they are mating the nest is made and she is already pooping large poops. I am going to do the tedious job of setting up the second dog run by fencing off the top and empying the fire wood out of it and that will be the flight for the dark check one as he fights with the white ones. I went out tonight to lock them up and there was a few white feathers scattered on the ground where he was for sure beating on one of them. So hes ostresized as of now. I wont put him back there as I dont want them stressed when trying to breed. That will be my weekend job. I dont mind, I have the material, and he will sleep in the small birdcage at night. They will be safe enough. Unless I get REALLY unlucky and a weasel/mink comes in and chews the wood thru to get in overnight. The mesh is tough but not sure how tough. Will take a peice and try to cut with wire cutters and guage how hard it is to cut thru. |
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| Crazy Bird Lady | Sep 8 2012, 11:04 AM Post #19 |
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Why do pigeons bob their heads? The pigeon has side mounted eyes unlike humans and owls which have forward facing eyes. As a pigeons have monocular vision rather than binocular vision they bob their heads for depth of perception. The pigeon’s eyes work much better with stationary images and therefore, as the pigeon takes a step forward the head is temporarily left behind. The next step jerks the head forward again and so on. This allows the bird to correctly orient itself. |
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| Crazy Bird Lady | Sep 8 2012, 11:13 AM Post #20 |
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Are pigeons intelligent? Pigeons are considered to be one of the most intelligent birds on the planet with pigeons being able to undertake tasks previously thought to be the sole preserve of humans and primates. The pigeon has also been found to pass the ‘mirror test’ (being able to recognise its reflection in a mirror) and is one of only 6 species, and the only non-mammal, that has this ability. The pigeon can also recognise all 26 letters of the English language as well as being able to conceptualise. In scientific tests pigeons have been found to be able to differentiate between photographs and even differentiate between two different human beings in a photograph when rewarded with food for doing so. |
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10:51 AM Jul 11