Fancy and Racing Pigeons: Getting Started

Racing, Fancy and Rescue Pigeons

All domestic pigeons descend from the rock dove, and the Merck Veterinary Manual lists pigeons among pet birds that can live up to 20 years. Keepers usually fall into three camps:

• Racing (homing) pigeons are bred to fly home from release points and are raced through clubs.
• Fancy pigeons come in hundreds of breeds bred for looks or flight style, such as fantails, tumblers and frillbacks. Many are shown; some fly poorly and must stay in an aviary loft.
• Rescued pigeons, including lost racers and birds that can't survive outside, often make gentle pets for a sheltered aviary.

Pigeons are social and live in flocks, so plan for several birds rather than one.

The Loft

A pigeon loft is a shed or aviary built for pigeons. What matters most:

• Dry and airy: good ventilation without drafts. Damp, stuffy lofts are a common cause of trouble.
• Predator-proof: solid walls or strong welded mesh, a raised floor or buried mesh against rats, and secure catches against cats, foxes, raccoons and birds of prey.
• Perches and nest boxes: a box perch for each bird and nest boxes for pairs. Don't overcrowd; club members can advise on space for your number of birds.
• A safe landing area: racing lofts use a landing board and trap so birds can get in but not out. Show and rescue birds need an attached aviary for sun and fresh air.
• Easy cleaning: scrape droppings regularly and keep floors dry.

Feeding Pigeons

Pigeons eat seeds and grains whole. A commercial pigeon mix of grains, peas and seeds is the usual base, with mixes for different seasons and for racing, breeding or molting birds.

• Grit: pigeons swallow grain whole and use grit in the gizzard to grind it. Keep a pot of pigeon grit available.
• Clean water daily, in drinkers pigeons can't sit in or foul.
• A bath a few times a week, removed once they have finished.
• No bread or kitchen scraps: they fill birds up without the nutrition they need.

Ask a vet experienced with pigeons or an experienced club member if your birds' needs change with racing or breeding.

Settling Birds to Home

Racing pigeons are the one kind of pet bird that is let out to fly free, because they are bred to return home. Even so, new adult birds will usually try to fly back to their old loft. Keepers keep new birds shut in, often with an aviary view of the surroundings, until they are settled, and young birds are trained gradually. Your local club is the best guide to doing this safely.

Fancy breeds that fly poorly, and rescued pigeons, should stay in a covered aviary loft. If a ringed racing pigeon turns up in your garden, it may just be resting; your national racing pigeon organization can help trace the owner from its leg ring.

Health and Biosecurity

Pigeons can catch diseases from wild birds and from other lofts. Pigeon paramyxovirus is present in Great Britain, and gov.uk advises keepers to talk to their vet about vaccinating their pigeons and to keep strict biosecurity. It is notifiable there, so suspected cases must be reported.

• Keep wild birds and rats out of the loft and away from food and water.
• Quarantine new birds away from your flock for a few weeks, as your vet advises.
• Find a vet who treats pigeons and book a check-up for new birds.
• Follow any bird flu housing orders; see bird flu and pet birds.

For vaccinations, worming, parasite treatments or any medicine for your pigeons: see your vet or a pet supply store with trained staff. Don't add products to water or feed without advice.

Pigeon dust and droppings can cause lung problems in some people. Keep the loft well ventilated, wear a dust mask when cleaning, wash your hands, and see your doctor if you develop a cough or breathlessness.

Rules and Neighbors

Rules for keeping pigeons differ by country, state and even street. A few examples:

• Great Britain: race and show organizers must make sure every pigeon taking part has been vaccinated against paramyxovirus, and owners must keep a record of each race or show their birds enter. Check gov.uk and APHA for any registration you need.
• United States: many cities and homeowners' associations limit pigeon lofts or numbers. Check local zoning, and your state department of agriculture or USDA APHIS for animal health rules.
• Everywhere: a loft may need planning permission, and lease or deed rules can ban it. Talk to neighbors early.

Rules differ by country. Check with your national authority (such as APHA or Defra in the UK, or USDA APHIS and your state agriculture department in the US) and your local council or city before building a loft.