The Most Important Facts And Information About Carrier Pigeons: Master Of The Pigeon

Passenger pigeon:

Passenger pigeon is a genus of birds, and a member of the dovecote family, and this species is also known as rock pigeon.

Length:

The length of the passenger pigeon ranges from 30-36 cm, and its wings range from 50-67 cm.

Weight:

Homing pigeons weigh 265-380 grams.

Characteristics of the bird :

The passenger pigeon has a small head and short feet. The wings are broad and pointed, and it has a broad and round tail. These birds also come in several different colors, including brown and bluish-gray.

Average lifespan:

The lifespan of rock pigeons ranges from 3-5 years, and may reach 15 years.

The personality and behavior of carrier pigeons

His personal qualities

There are characteristics that distinguish carrier pigeons, including:

Pigeons can fly between 965 to 1,126 km per day.

The average speed of a carrier pigeon reaches more than 124 kilometers per hour.

The passenger pigeon drinks water using its beak by sucking it, then turns its head back to swallow.

Pigeons can see in color like humans and can see ultraviolet light.

It moves by sensing the Earth’s magnetic field, and uses the Sun to determine direction.

Pigeons have high intelligence; It can distinguish images, and it can distinguish between two different people in the same image.

Tips for dealing with carrier pigeons

The homing pigeon is one of the best types of pigeons suitable for breeding , and the following are some things that must be followed when dealing with homing pigeons:

Once you have purchased a carrier pigeon, keep it indoors and do not allow it to fly for about four weeks.

Open the upstairs door every day and let the pigeons out, they will likely fly in circles, stay within a quarter mile and then come back upstairs.

After another four weeks you can release the pigeons away from home.

They can be gradually released from the loft to fly close distances and then gradually increased until they reach the desired distance.

Feeding carrier pigeons

Necessary foods for carrier pigeons

There are necessary foods that passenger pigeons must obtain, including:

Pigeons need fresh water in addition to pigeon feed; It is a mixture of grains and seeds that can be found in many pet stores.

He can eat crushed oyster shell, as it contains calcium, in addition to the digested granite that helps digestion.

Pigeons can eat vegetables, berries, fruits, and occasionally insects, snails, and earthworms in the wild.

Foods that are not suitable for carrier pigeons

There are foods that are not suitable for carrier pigeons and should be avoided, including:

Large amounts of salt can be toxic to pigeons.

Avocados can be toxic to pigeons and should be avoided.

vegetables that contain a lot of water such as lettuce and celery; It does not contain many nutrients for pigeons, so it should not be fed in large quantities.

Avoid feeding pigeons anything fatty or processed.

Avoid fast food, alcoholic drinks and caffeine.

Number of meals for carrier pigeons

You must maintain a balanced diet and consult a veterinarian in the event of problems with the bird’s health. Here are some things that must be taken into consideration:

Pigeons need two tablespoons (29.6 ml) of the seed and granule mixture for two days.

If you notice your pigeons leaving a lot of food in the bowl, you are probably giving your pigeons too much food.

Pigeons should be fed an amount of food that they will be able to finish by sunset.

Pigeon health

The most common diseases affecting passenger pigeons

There are many pigeon diseases that may affect carrier pigeons, including:

Canker (trichomoniasis): It is one of the most common diseases and is usually transmitted through drinking water. Its symptoms include: Mucous odor or odor in the mouth, decreased activity level, vomiting, weight loss, increased water intake and diarrhea.

Coccidiosis: It usually affects young pigeons, or birds exposed to severe stress such as racing, lack of feed, lack of water, or resettlement, as it may be the result of infection through drinking unclean water, or contact with wet excrement, and its symptoms include; Little or no desire to eat or drink, lack of desire to move, and remains swollen, eyes often closed, and green, watery stools.

One-eye cold disease: This disease may be associated with clicking in the eye, or physical injuries that may affect the eye, and it may be due to improper ventilation or humidity, and its symptoms include watery or mucous secretion in one eye, and in the event that the infection Severe, one eye may close.

Salmonellosis (typhoid) : It is caused by bacteria that may be transmitted through an infected pigeon, or inhaling infected dust, or through the shoes of a pigeon breeder, or as a result of contact with wild pigeons. Its symptoms include swelling of the joints of the legs or feet, the appearance of boils on the wing, and weight loss.

Pigeonpox: Pigeons get this disease as a result of two things; One is mosquito bites, which appear on featherless areas such as the eyelids and around the beak, and their shape becomes like a fish scale. The other is the result of droplet infection (aerosol), and appears on the mucous membranes of the mouth, pharynx, larynx and trachea.

Maintaining the health of carrier pigeons

There are things that must be followed to maintain the health of the carrier pigeon:

Seek urgent care if symptoms of any disease appear.

The pigeon must be well ventilated.

When catching the pigeon, it should be gently grabbed from its back, or use a towel or cloth.

Pigeons should be given clean water, and placed in a bowl at least 1 inch deep.

Other information about carrier pigeons

Breeding of carrier pigeons

Pigeon nests consist of a group of sticks, twigs, and grass gathered together to form a nest. Below is some information about its reproduction:

Ten pairs of pigeons can produce eight flocks of pigeons each month.

After 12 days of mating, the pigeon lays one or two eggs, which hatch after approximately 18 days.

Production can be increased by providing a second nest for each pair, as after the eggs hatch, the female pigeon lays two more eggs in the second nest and incubates them while the male takes care of the first nest.

Young pigeons feed on pigeon milk, which is a liquid or solid substance secreted in the croup, which is in the form of a bag under the tongue in adults, which they place inside the mouths of their young.

Breeding can occur throughout the year, but is most frequent in the fall and spring seasons.

Adaptation methods for carrier pigeons

Pigeons can adapt to several conditions in different ways, including:

The homing pigeon can live in any place and any open area, as it can sleep and nest in it, such as buildings, towers, and lofts.

Homing pigeons are skilled at finding water and food sources.

Pigeons remain in places where food and drink are available, but if they are less available, they may migrate to another place where food and drink are available.

Other types of pigeons

Pigeons are classified according to different categories by appearance, behavior, or specific breeds, including the following:

Asian pigeon: This type of pigeon originated in Asia, and is famous for its appearance, as it is covered with feathers in abundance, and of its types; Freelback, fan-tailed, jacobin, and English tombrater pigeon.

Colored pigeons : They are often bred in Germany, and they are distinguished by a variety of characteristics and colors. Among its types are: The ice dove, the archangel, the Saxon field.

Homing racing pigeons : This category includes homing pigeons and breeds that were developed for their ability to race, and its types include: English Carrier Pigeon, Dragon, and American Show Racer.

Blowing pigeons : They are a type of pigeon that has the ability to inflate and inflate its chest. Types include the Vorburg Shield Cropper and the Pygmy Potter.

Flying pigeons : This breed is distinguished by its ability to roll forward and backward during flight, in addition to its ability to fly at higher altitudes than other breeds, and its types include the Australian acrobat and the tumbler.

Ornamental pigeon: This type of acrobatic pigeon is for decorative or display purposes. Its types include the short-faced acrobat, the helmeted pigeon, and the long-faced English acrobat.