Pigeons are often overlooked as vermin of the skies, but they have a long-standing history living alongside humans and often make the most rewarding companions. That said, building a relationship with any animal requires you to respect the care they need.
Pigeons may not be the most difficult bird to care for, but they still have specific care requirements to ensure they live happy, fulfilled fives. In this guide we go over the basics of setting up a cage, feeding and entertaining your pigeon, and providing basic health care.
Perfect Pigeon Homes
One of the main differences between pigeons and other birds is setting up the right home. While all birds need space to spread their wings (and therefore benefit from free time around your home), pigeons are more adaptable and can have smaller cages or outdoor aviaries.
For inside pigeons, setting up a large dog crate with several shelves is often all they need to stay comfy and entertained when put away. Cages should be at least 42 inches wide, 27 inches deep, and 30 inches high for a single pigeon or a bonded pair. The bottom should be flat and easy to clean, and shelves (not just perches) give the pigeon different levels to strut their stuff or settle into a nap.
Outdoor aviaries are more difficult to construct but may give your pigeon more space without sacrificing your indoor area. Stability and predator-proofing are a main concern; racoons can open latches more easily than you might think, and hawks won’t hesitate to find weak spots in your construction to get to their favorite snacks.
Any pigeons socialized as pets will not be able to survive in the wild, so it’s important you keep your pigeons secure in your home or their aviary.
Keeping Pigeons Entertained
One of the best ways to keep your pigeons entertained is by letting them out of their cage. While you shouldn’t let pet pigeons roam free outside, they usually have no problems exploring a bird-proof home.
Bird proofing generally includes removing hazards and making changes like:
- Putting away electrical cords
- Turning off ceiling fans and putting pulls away
- Picking up small, bite size objects
- Choosing bird-safe houseplants and pesticide free soil
- Closing toilet bowls and/or bathroom doors
- Keeping them away from cats, dogs, and small children
In their cage, enrichment starts with installing a mirror. Pigeons can self-recognize, and the mirror is a great way for them to keep their brains sharp. Pigeons should also have a companion whenever possible, and you should avoid getting pigeons until you can care for at least two.
Pigeons enjoy toys, but they also need self-care objects like nest boxes and bathing bins in their cage to keep them feeling happy and healthy. Something medium-sized and weighed down, like a casserole dish or plant saucer, gives them enough space to bathe their feathers without posing a risk of drowning.
What Pigeons Eat
While they can eat wild bird seed or chicken feed in a pinch, pigeons should eat a specialized food to meet their unique needs. Luckily, there are several quality pellets that meet these needs with little planning on your end.
That said, pellets should only make up about 50 percent of your pigeon’s diet. The other half should include:
- Fresh fruit and vegetables (nutrient-rich, not pale foods)
- Seeds
- Insects
They should have access to fresh water at all times, and you may want to offer crushed eggshell or oyster shell grit for extra calcium.
Pigeon Cleaning
Pigeons are very clean birds, despite the social perception of them as vermin. They spend a great portion of their day preening and cleaning each other, bathing in water, and laying out in the sun to activate the oils that maintain their feathers.
Giving them everything they need to keep this up not only makes your home cleaner, but it leaves you with happier, healthier birds.
It’s your responsibility to clean up after them, but there are plenty of tools and cage cleaning tips to make your job easier.
Pigeons should be able to walk along the bottom of their cage (meaning no wire buttons), but there are cage liners and substrate options that catch the mess, keeping the home as odor-free as possible. Daily cleaning is a must, but lining the bottom means you can just toss a sheet of paper and call it a day.
While they prefer to roam the home naked, they often tolerate pigeon pants that snap on like a harness and have a diaper section that catches and holds their droppings. This will need to be changed every 2 to 4 hours, but it prevents them from dropping messes all over the home (especially if you line the “pants” with a panty liner and just toss that).
Health Care for Pigeons
Preventative health care for pigeons usually relates to providing a good diet, proper sunlight, and plenty of room to exercise, but there are a few specialized concerns.
You should find a veterinarian experienced with pigeons and doves before bringing them into your own. This vet will be able to answer any health questions you have and help out with annual checkups, parasite treatments and/or prevention, and vaccination for illnesses like Pseudo Bird Flu, Paratyphoid Virus, and Young Pigeon Disease.
At home, you should only have a small scale (like a kitchen scale) to keep track of your birds’ weights. Because they’re so light, you may not notice major changes in weight that indicate illness; weekly weigh-ins may be the warning sign you need.
