There are various pet options there for you. The most common pets out there are dogs and cats. Then you have your guinea pigs, hamsters and even love birds. But have you ever considered raising pigeons as pets? Yes, it is exactly those birds whom you’ve often seen flapping their wings around in the wilderness. Pigeons have been used as messenger birds during the previous ages, when modern technology and mobile phones were centuries away.

So pigeons are definitely a viable pet option for you! In fact pigeons are gaining popularity as household pets and wouldn’t it be quite amazing if you become The Pigeon Aficionado?

However, getting a new pet is indeed a major decision and you have to think twice before jumping into it. Fear no more, this write up will help you understand the basics of raising pigeons as pets.

1. Pre-purchase considerations:

Making a decision to purchase pets is not a simple one, and it is no different in the case of raising pigeons as pets. Remember that your decision to raise pigeons should not be a spur of the moment action. There is much to consider before you get them as pets. Here are a few points to consider:

Do you think you have the time and energy to dedicate towards your pet pigeons? Think about the aspects of feeding them, cleaning their cotes, observing them and making sure they are healthy. Remember that having a pet is a two way street, your pets should be able to derive the same amount of joy that you may derive from them. It is our duty as pet owners to ensure that they are clean and comfortable.

Another factor to consider is, would you be able to bear the costs which accompany raising pigeons as pets? Don’t just think about the costs of buying the pigeons, but deliberate over the cost of building their cotes, the vet expenses you might have to incur. It is better to weigh your decision wisely, rather to give away those pigeons you love so much, merely because you are not able to spend on their needs.

Is your family alright and encouraging of your decision to get pigeons as pets? Obtaining their consent at the initial stage will go a long way to help you out. Incessant complaints from your family members would sour everyone’s mood around. Convert them into pigeon lovers! That is the way to go.

Do you have enough space to comfortable accommodate your pet pigeons? Birds would like to have some space to fly around.

Think about all of these before you plunge into your decision. Ensuring that you are committed towards your pets will only help you to strengthen your bond with them.

Now that you have made up your mind on getting pigeons as pets, here are a few guidelines on raising your pigeons.

2. Pigeon Housing:

If you are planning on keeping your pigeons indoors, it would be advisable to get a large cage that provides them ample space to fly around and stretch their wings. Pigeons are really social birds, so it would be advisable for you to get at least two birds, so that they do not get lonely.

However, if you have the space and facility to house your pigeons outdoors, you could construct dovecotes, which are structures with contain pigeonholes where the birds can rest and build their nests. However, ensure that your neighbours do not find your pigeons annoying or a menace. These cotes would provide the birds the freedom to fly around and not feel caged.

If you are a pigeon fancier and have much interest and enthusiasm to breed pigeons, then dovecotes are the way to go!

3. Dietary requirements:

After you have made arrangements for housing your pigeons, the next step would be to focus on the dietary requirements of your pet pigeons. Commercial pigeon feed and seed mixes are available to feed your pet pigeons. Make sure that the commercial feeds are natural with minimal chemical content. Seed mixes may also be fed for your pet pigeons, apart from the commercial feed.

Most pigeons that are in the wild forage for their food and eat wild berries, fruits, leaves, acorn, seeds and even insects here and there. So you could feed your pet pigeons some greens which may include lettuce, spinach etc.

Feel free to feed your pet pigeons some treats occasionally, so that they may enjoy some variety in their food.

If you keep your pigeons indoor, they may require some vitamin supplements to compensate their lack of exposure to the sunlight. Make sure you consult a vet and get supplements if they are prescribed by him for your pet pigeons.

Apart from the seed mixes and grains you may feed them, the indispensable addition is water. Ensure that your pigeons have a clean water bowl with an endless supply of water so that they never feel thirsty or parched. Change the water regularly so that it is clean.

In fact, it would do for you to place water in tub from time to time, so that the pigeons have facility to bathe themselves. In fact, it could be quite fun to watch you pigeons splash around in the water as they keep themselves clean.

With these few directions, you can confidently step forth into becoming a proud owner of pigeons! Did you know that there are pigeon exhibitions where you could showcase and exhibit your pigeons proudly? If you are enjoying the presence of your pet pigeons and your love and interest in them is steadily growing, you could even venture into pigeon breeding and enter competitions! What started as just having pets to dispel your boredom could evolve into a fill fledged hobby that is rewarding too.

So what are you really waiting for? If you have the commitment, energy and the enthusiasm to raise pigeons as your fellow companions, get to it already!

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