How to Raise and Release White Homing Pigeons

White homing pigeons are a breed of rock dove, and are frequently released at the end of weddings as a symbol of peace and love. Since homing pigeons are trained to return to their coop, releasing them during daylight wedding ceremonies allows them time to return to the coop, saving their owners money that might be spent replacing birds that go astray. Because the genetics of white-pigeon breeding is slightly less straightforward than it is for other types of pigeons, the best way to raise and release your own white homing pigeons is to buy them directly from a breeder and train them to roost in your coop.

Things You'll Need

  • Coop with nesting boxes or bowls for your birds
  • Pigeon food
  • Pigeon grit
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Instructions

    • 1

      Provide a coop large enough to hold the number of pigeons you expect to raise. A coop can be as simple as a large bird cage for one to two pigeons, or a storage shed for a large flock. The basic requirements are flat ledges or boxes for the birds to nest on or in, a roof that keeps their nesting area dry, access to fresh air and sunlight -- typically a mesh wall so the birds can look out -- and access for you to clean out the cages several times a year.

    • 2

      Provide fresh water, pigeon feed and pigeon grit to your birds. Place the containers off the floor so the birds don't defecate in them. For pigeons to drink properly, provide a water container that holds the water at a depth of at least 1 1/2 inches.

    • 3

      Purchase your birds when they are young, after they have finished weaning. To properly attach them to your property, choose birds that have never homed to another coop before. If they are young enough and have not homed anywhere else before, they will consider your coop "home" when released.

    • 4

      Train your birds to return to your coop by first releasing them within sight of your coop and then gradually widening the distance of release.

    • 5

      Release your birds for homing only during the day, on sunny days with fair weather. Solar storms may interfere with pigeons' homing ability, so check the solar forecast as well.