Pigeon Loft Design

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 As I mentioned in the last post the flooring of your loft should reflect strength and portability at the same time.

Here is an example of what I mean lets take the floor of  a 5.5m x 1.8m (I8ft x 6ft) loft.  This loft could well be made of three sections 1.8m (6ft) square.

Portability is of key importance, in fact it applies to all parts of your and every loft built.  The construction of the loft should be in sections, and the sections should be joined only with nuts and bolts so that,  if the loft needs to be moved, the job can be easily done.

  It is vitally imortant to make sure you have a good strong floor.  The floor should be 1.5cm to 2.5cm (1/2in to lin) thick boards supported by 5cm(2in) cross members on 7.5cm x 7.5cm (3in x 3in) runners the length of the loft.

 Your loft  must  have the ability to take more than your own weight, for at some time or other you are certain to have visitors with you.  However even though it must be strong  it also should be portable.

Idealy one of the best materials to use in designing your Loft is brick. Brick buildings have many advantages over wood in which most lofts are designed in.  They are inherently drier, less prone to condensation, warmer in winter and cooler inthe summer.  However this may be impratical for most people but I wanted to let you know as a structure to consider.

In addtion in designing your loft your materials have to reflect the following:  1) It should be completely dry and waterproof; for as much as sunshine is a natural warm friend to pigeons, so damp is a cold destructive enemy. 2) The damper your loft the more prone to your pigeon developing diseases.

So don’t forget these 2 nuggets in your design process.

Many times in the construction of designing a pigeon loft we tend to forget the obvious.  Its important to remember that if you are using aIf an existing out-building, garage or attic  for the sake of saving money there are things to be careful about.  Ideally these places can save time and expense but they may not be beneficial in the long run.

   As a rule of thumb avoid anything that has contained poultry.  Diseases are easily transmitable and pigeons by themselves are not the cleanest animals.  So be sure to make sure if your using an existing structure that its clean.    The disease Coccidiosis is easily transmittable so be careful.

Some of these areas I covered earlier in my posts but its worth mentioning again.  Whether you racing them for sport or hobby you must be sure to consider the placement of your loft.  The reason why this is so important is because

1)  Your position of the loft can affect your pigeon’s” drop in”.  Your pigeon could be in danger if there are too many things in its path.  As all birds they have inert insticts to help them avoid running into objects but there is the occasional mishap from time to time.  As an owner your help to alleviate this problem is pivotal.

2)  If you are racing pigeons your position of the loft can affect how they approach the loft in the landing.  It is important to have as few obstacles as possible in their way.  If your pigeon has to circle several times this could loose considerable time in a race.

  Even if your intention is not to race the less time they have to circle around because of your location is ideal anyway.

The size and dimension of your loft should reflect building and construction standards for your area.  This is not always easy to do; for a general guideline I have included the web address to give you a basic link to point you in the right direction. 

The link is http://agebb.missouri.edu/mac/librar…07&subject=178

Where you place your pigeon may be the most critical point in your design.  Lofts should be placed in areas that will not disrupt their ability to fly.  Avoid building areas that are too close to wires and buildings.  You should preferably have them in an open area as much as possible.  If you live in a metropolitan area this may be harder to do but work with what area you have to give them the most flexibility for flight.

First in any loft there has to be adequate time spent in understanding where you will place your pigeon lofts, the size and dimension to your lofts. and the flooring of the pigeon lofts.  So let’s begin with the placement of your Pigeon Lofts

There are only two basic questions you should ask your self before designing a pigeon loft?  Are you caring for pigeons for recreational activities?  Or is your intention to use them for sport?  The answer to this two prong question will be the choice of your design and how to build them.  You’re in luck whether for sport or recreation we can direct to you your design.