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Housing pigeons

© Greg Davies

Before Christmas, we looked briefly at pigeons and what makes them special. In the next series of articles, we will explore the requirements for keeping and breeding pigeons successfully. This episode looks at pigeon housing.

Pigeons don't need ostentatious abodes, after all they have been living quite happily for centuries in cliffs and on boring park statues. Pigeon houses can range from old-fashioned dovecotes, (those funny looking little houses high up on poles) to multi-storey lofts, with a myriad of variations in between. Pigeon houses can be called coops, pens or lofts, depending on what kind of pigeons you decide to raise. Most pigeons would be quite happy in a cote, however for all purposes of good husbandry, these are not practical so we won't bother delving any deeper into those. So, what's the difference between the others, I hear you ask? A pen is used to house utility pigeons (the big meaty ones) like Carneaux, Kings or Runts. Fancy pigeons are kept in coops and racing and flying pigeons belong in a loft. Simple, huh? I personally call them all 'lofts', but whatever YOU decide to call it, the cage you build for your pigeons must fulfil a number of pigeon requirements.

Pigeons know what they need to be happy... well they ARE pigeons, so when you plan the loft they are to live in, be sympathetic to their needs. Racing pigeons will need a loft without a wire flying area, after all, the main purpose of a racing pigeon is to be out racing and when not doing that, inside breeding and raising baby racing pigeons. Similarly, flight pigeons such as Tipplers, Rollers and Flying Tumblers will need the same kind of house, as they will be spending a lot of time outside flying free too. Both racing and flying pigeon lofts need landing boards and bob-wire traps to get the birds back inside. These are hinged wires which open inwards when the birds push against them, but don't allow the birds to push their way out again. Fancy pigeons like Fantails, Pouters and the like will need a wired flight area where they can sun themselves as they will not usually be allowed outside the loft. Their loft will also need lots of walking areas, where they can strut and show off. The perches will be quite low to the floor as these types of birds aren't expected to fly all that much (some show pigeons are actually ruined for exhibition if they fly). And finally, meat breeds will need lots of open floor spaces with low-set perches and nesting areas.

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