When it comes to building your pigeon loft or house you are going to have options that you must consider. Some of which are whether what kind of pigeon functionality will you be using. To be specific will you be racing your pigeons, breeding your pigeons or will you just use them as carrier pigeons.

As you can already gather each of these different functionalities require different specifications. In addition you must also decide if your pigeons will be allow to fly openly. If your response is yes than adding a trap with a landing will be prevalent. It will allow your pigeons to go freely.

A very big decision to ponder is will you breed your pigeons. If that is definitely a possibility than your pigeon loft/house should at minimum have two separate pens. This will allow the couples to be separate from those that found a mate so the others will be able to breed.

As an added consideration you should consider boxes for nesting. This little feature  provides comfort and privacy for the breeding couples.

We all want to be able to provide a good dwelling for a pigeons and when it comes to building a pigeon house, loft or coop there are a number of things you need to take into consideration.  Here is just a few things that come to mind on developing the proper pigeon home.

2) How many pigeons will you have in your loft or coop?

3) How much space will you have to work with to create a pigeon dwelling?

4) What is the weather and environment conditions in the area you live in.

These are just several of the major things to consider when building your pigeon house.

When you take all of these things to account you are able to build a pigeon home which shows of style comfort.  Your personal stamp will be seen by your design but it is extremely important to ensure your living environment for your pigeon is comfortable.

For pigeons comfortability guarantees good breeding and a life of health and happiness.  Pigeons or any bird does not want to be cramped in a small space all of the time so ensure your designs for your pigeons take into consideration size and mobility.

I know it may seem trivial all this talk on your pigeons comfort ability but believe me it isn't.  Just remember size and design are key elements to healthy breeding.

Here is a few things to remember yet are basic and important.  The cells of your pigeons body does not work properly when dehydrated.  There is absoluteley nothing that can go on in the digestive process in the gut.  Absortion will not take place and food sits in your pigeons stomach and will eventually kill your pigeon.  So its imperative to get fluids to your pigeon if you are not a rehabber bring your pigeon to a vet pronto.

In addition your pigeon will have dry flaky skin and dull eyes.

Your pigeons droppings will be non formed and your pigeon will have a sticky membrane in their mouth.

In the case of your pigeon being severely dehydrated they will be lethargic or unconscious.

The skin will” tint” when slightly pinched and have sunken eyes.

Their droppings will be dry or absent.  The membrane in your pigeons mouth will be dry.

Depending on the cause and the degree of dehydration, reversing this condition could take up to 24 hours.

If your pigeon is alert he or she may be re-hydrated by mouth using an eye dropper for hydration.

You can use an eye dropper every few minutes putting small drops of fluid along his beak.

The fluids you should provide your pigeon should be room temperature or warmed slightly.

This is extremely important!

Initially you should use a re-hydrating solution when administering it to your pigeon.  Plain water is a last resort and should not be used unless you absolutely have nothing else available.

When it comes to administering fluids they should only be given after and I mean only after your pigeon has been Warmed,  and examined for injuries. A thorough determination needs to be made on how severe the dehydration is with your pigeon.

All fluids should be warmed or at room temperature!

Here is a description and diagnosis of what a well hydrated pigeon should look like:

A WELL HYDRATED BIRD CHARECTERISTICS:

A  well hydrated bird will be very alert.  Your pigeon will have elastic skin.  They will also have bright eyes.

In addition they will have a moist plump membrane inside their mouth and their droppings will be moist and well formed.

Whether your pigeon is sick or hurt isolation is necessary.  Allow your pigeon to get stabilized in a quiet, dark warm area.  The key is isolation and rest.

While your pigeon is warming and becoming stabilize take the time to prepare any other items you may need to care for your pigeon.

If your pigeon is cold it should never be given any liquids or food PERIOD.  THIS CANNOT BE STRESSED ENOUGH!

HEAT

As with pigeons and any bird they must be warmed gradually to a normal body temperature.  Be careful on ensuring a gradual warming to reach a temperature for your pigeon to be responsive and able to swallow.

It should come to no suprise or unusual for a baby pigeon presented for rehabilitation to be very cold.  If a bird is unresponsive it is allways best and recomended to seek the assitance of an experienced rehabber or avian vet immediately.  Give your pigeon a quick, superficial examination.

Unless there is a critical situation such as severe bleeding your pigeon should be covered and placed on a heat source for at least 20-30 minutes to bring the body temperature back to normal.

If you suspect head trauma do not place your pigeon on any heat or heat source.

* Heat source suggestions: Again these are suggestions!

1) The first suggestion is a towel lined heating pad, that is  set on low
2) The second suggestion is a towel lined hot water bottle.

3)  The third suggestion is a low wattage lamp that directly shines light into your loft or other housing for your pigeon.

* In the case of an Emergency here is a heat source substitute:

A) Fill and old sock with about 2/3 full of rice.  Next you will microwave the sock for a few seconds.  Be sure the sock
isn’t too hot, and then place it around the bird.

By following this basic step you will be ensure to provide basic care for your pigeon until further assitance could be given.

Just imagine after building the pigeon loft of champions you find out that  you overlooked a vital element to your pigeons racing success. To make matters  worse you found out because of this missing element you have lost several key  races and if nothing is done your pigeons will continue to lose.

You may be  thinking to yourself this is an extreme what could be that important.

Let me  tell you my friend in racing pigeon’s one key element off of your loft can be  the means to winning or loosing.

Okay I think I given you enough reason to at least keep reading to find out  what the key element is. The element I am referring to here is the pigeon perch.  Now believe me, I didn’t realize the importance of this element either but  believe me it is pivotal for your loft since the comfort of your pigeons depends  on it.

Now the exact type of your pigeon perch will be different due to your breed  of pigeon. In most cases racing pigeons and fancy pigeons that look like racers  will and should have the same kind of perch.

The most common measurements for  these perches are approximately 10 inches square, with a depth ranging about 5  inches. These kinds of perches are commonly known as “box perches”. In more  cases than not these perches can be built in units and will fit smoothly into  the wall space at the back of your loft section.

Now take note these box pigeon perches are not really made for fancy pigeons  with more fluffy feathered legs. The reason being their feathers would easily  become dirty from the droppings. For this factor you should make a pigeon perch  that will allow your more feathered fancy to stand comfortably, without risking  his plumage getting damaged or dirty.

Now since the box perch will not be suitable in this case it is highly  recommend that you should think of designing the inverted “v” perch. These are  the best for the fancy breeds.Depending on your preference and what seems like  the norm of most fanciers many perches are designed as floor units. There are  pro’s and cons to this design but ultimately the decision is yours.

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