How to Take Care of White Homing Pigeons

People hear "pigeon" and think of the millions of birds filling most major cities in the US. In truth, pigeons come from a long and noble history. Domesticated close to 3,000 years ago, pigeons have served many purposes including food, message carriers, pest control, training assistance, racing and companionship. White Homing Pigeons instinctively return to their loft when properly trained and released, making them useful for carrying messages and encouraging the sport of pigeon racing.

Things You'll Need

  • Pigeon loft
  • Pigeon food
  • Grit and sand
  • Water
  • Food and water dishes
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Instructions

    • 1

      Set up your loft. Provide plenty of flight space. Attach an outside flight aviary to the living/feeding space inside.

    • 2

      Feed your white homing pigeons a well-rounded mix of pigeon food in the morning and at night. Remove leftover food to avoid spoilage and potential health concerns.

    • 3

      Provide grit along with their food and add a little sand to the bottom of their enclosure.

    • 4

      Clean the loft daily, raking the sand and removing feces. Provide a large, flat dish of clean water for bathing and a smaller bowl for drinking. Place food, water, grit and bathing dishes on the ground or close to ground-level. Do a thorough cleaning weekly, replacing bedding material and sand.

    • 5

      Take time to get to know your pigeons and interact with them. Be gentle and consistent. Spend time near their cage talking to them. Read aloud to them so that they get used to your voice, if desired.