How can I make proper housing for pigeons?

Question

I want to get into showing pigeons for 4H, but first I need to build a coop for them. I don't want many pigeons, just 2 or 3. The coop can't be really huge either. It would be right next to my chicken coop.

If you can, give me dimensions for how big it must be, and what it should include. I know they need a shelter/nestbox and a fenced in run and perches. What else? How big should it be per bird? I'm thinking of getting American Show Racers, if that makes a difference.

Thanks!

Answer 1

ok hun i have about 50 pigeons (show). For 2 or 3 birds i would say pretend like your going to get 4 or 5 birds. Because pigeons love to fly, even the big fat ones and fantails which can hardly fly but they sure try and love to fly lol. I would say a loft with the dimensions of 4ft X 4ft X 4ft would be perfect. Because i have two lofts. One is 8ft by 8ft by 8ft and the other is 4ft by 4ft by 4ft and im 5'9" and i can still enter the 4ft loft if i squat down so its a good size. Pigeons can stand the temperature (they can stand coldness) but they will get sick if they get wet (you can shower them with a garden hose nozzel thingy in the summer though..they love it! ) So don't keep the loft too drafty but they should have some ventilation and air corssing. So this is what you should have. (I'm going to describe my own loft) The Door is in the front. It is about 3 ft wide and 4 ft high and it shouldn't be too thick. Then right next to the door (the remaining 1 foot) i have poot chicken wire on the loft. So the front gets all covered. And on the sides, So the dimensions for each side are 4 ft by 4ft. And i have 3ft by 4ft covered with chicken wire. And the remaining 1 foot by 4ft is covered with plywood. (This is on both of the sides) And now the back. Well on the back i have made 2 long shelves. The first one is about a foot lower than the roof and its 4 feet long. The second one is a foot lower than the top shelf and is also 4 feet long. The 3rd shelf i have made nesting boxes. Its quite easy really. Just make a normal shelf like the other 2 and put plywood every foot to make a box. So you need 4 pieces of plywood that are 1ft by 1ft. And just nail those in and you have 4 nesting boxes. And then Put some 1" by 2" wood  infront of the boxes (so the eggs dont roll out anyway) and your done. And you can do the same for the last floor but im sure they won't nest in those boxes because they love hieghts. Or...you can make the nesting boxes on the very top floor, have 2 shelfs for them to sit on and then you have your last floor. and under this you can keep their food and water (so you wont have droppings in their food since its covered) And then get a 4 ft long 1" by 2" piece of wood and nail it on the bottom of the very top floor. They'll like sitting on this. And so now they have a place to sit, a place to nest, and enough air flow. And for the roof make a house type of roof (upside down V shape or a lean too type...i made mine flat and trust me it starts to leak! lol) so ya if you have any more questions feel free to ask away, im only 15 but i've kept pigeons for most of my life and i love it! :) my email is [e-mail]

Answer 2

Here are a few places to check out loft design.  The ASR's are a fun breed, but bigger than some so make sure to allow a tad extra space for them if you check out other than racing loft designs.  ASR's don't need to get out, but they WILL appreciate a flight pen.  Pigeons have been bred and lived long lives in cheap as well as hundreds of thousands of dollar lofts.  The one requirement is that it's safe, dry, dry, dry, dry (just want to make sure you got the idea on that) and easy for YOU to get in, clean, and enjoy the birds.  And please remember - pigeons DO NOT like round perches, they should be flat.  Also, make sure any water and feed containers can't be contaminated with droppings.  That will go a long way to keeping your birds healthy and ready for shows.

http://www.breakawayloft.com/webpages/wb...

http://www.redroselofts.com/starter_loft...

http://www.pigeonnetwork.com/loftdesign/

http://www.birdhealth.com.au/bird/pigeon...