Most often, pigeons are kept for aesthetic pleasure from observing their life. Some people like to observe their behavior, analyze and draw conclusions, and as a result become real experts. And even carrier pigeons are still popular today. And for the birds to live comfortably, they should build a comfortable and warm dwelling for them - a dovecot.
Basic requirements for keeping pigeons
Most of the requirements are to create the right conditions in the pigeon and to observe the rules of hygiene:
- 1 bird is required to allocate 0.5 square meters. m of floor space and about 1 cubic meter. m airspace;
- blueberry should be durable and inaccessible to other animals, such as cats, dogs and rodents;
- in 1 group should consist of no more than 25 individuals;
- the dovecote should be equipped with perches;
- the house should be dry, without drafts, cleaned, have enough light;
- it is necessary to regularly disinfect all devices with which pigeons come in contact (drinkers, feeders), as well as the room itself.
Types of pigeon houses
When building houses for pigeons, it is important to know why to build them and for what purposes these houses are needed. Dovecats exist primarily for convenient breeding of birds, as well as for observing them. Different types of pigeon dwellings differ in the way they are built, in size, and also in price. 4 varieties of such structures are described below and their construction schemes are given.
Did you know? In May 2013, Japanese pigeon breeder Hiroyasu Takasu released a black pigeon for a distance race of 1,000 km. After a month and a half, the lost bird ended up on Vancouver Island in Canada, that is, it covered 8,000 km.
Tower dovecote
These houses are common in Western countries. They harmoniously fit into the environment, they are built from various materials (wood, bricks, stone). They can be in the shape of a 4-, 6-, 8-sided or asymmetric. The height of the building is mainly 4 m. Usually a tower house is built in 2 floors: on the 1st store food and equipment are stored, and on the 2nd store nests themselves.
Mounted Dovecote
Ideal for beginners and for those who want to save money. It’s worth starting breeding pigeons with this type of mini-house. However, it has such a variety and a number of disadvantages:
- used only with a private house;
- accommodates no more than 3 pairs of birds;
- the climate inside is the same as outside;
- Available for other animals and birds of prey.
Dovecote in the attic
As the name implies, this type of house for pigeons is located under the roof of the house. Most often this type of bird house is equipped on the attic roof. Such a house is distinguished by its spaciousness and ease of construction. Among the shortcomings, one can single out the obligatory presence of one's own private house with an attic and the noise that feathered neighbors create from above.
Aviaries
The aviary consists of a frame (most often wooden, but sometimes metal), mesh, roof and foundation. It can be built for any number of birds. The grid allows sunbeams, as well as insects edible for pigeons, to enter the dovecot.
How to build a dovecote with your own hands
You can buy a house for pigeons, or you can do it yourself. For those who want to save money and love to do something with their own hands, the second option is suitable. The process of building a dovecote has its own characteristics, which are described below.
Seat selection
It is not difficult to choose a place for housing for pigeons: you just need to find a territory that is suitable in size. Before starting construction, the ground must be leveled. It’s best to set the front of the house in a southeast direction so that the first morning rays of the sun warm the room.
Important! Do not place the dovecote in a windy place.
Size calculation
The size of the future bird house is calculated based on the maximum number of birds that are planned to be raised there. For 1 pair of pigeons, 0.5 to 0.8 square meters is required. m square. If you are building a small pigeonhole, take a larger standard (0.8 sq. M), and vice versa, as a norm. The height should not exceed 220 cm. If 1 house is being built, then it should be designed so that after completion of work it can be divided into 2 parts (for separating pigeons of different sexes).
The internal space can be organized in this way: 1- compartment for breeding; 2 - household (utility) department; 3- compartment for keeping young animals
Materials and tools for work
In order to make a house for pigeons, you need to stock up on building materials. Some of the materials listed below may become redundant (it depends on the type of house).
So you will need:
- strong wooden boards;
- plywood sheets;
- fine mesh;
- roofing material;
- nails and screws;
- waterproof film.
Building a dovecote
The house is the house for the pigeon, in which he spends almost his entire life. Professional pigeon breeders know how important a correctly constructed pigeon house is, which ensures the safety of birds and the comfort of being in it.
Foundation and floor
For each type of bird house, the foundation and floor will be different.
- In the enclosure, the floor should be made of concrete with a thickness of 10 cm, on which an insulation film and a wood-particle layer are laid. The implementation of the concrete floor will strengthen the skeletal structure of the structure.
- In the case of a mounted dovecote, the floor is the same material as for the walls - a fine mesh. It needs to be pulled onto a frame made of wood or metal.
- In the tower house, the floor should be wooden. There must be a layer of chips on top, and an insulating film under it.
- The same principle is used in the case of a bird house in the attic. The floor should be made of wood and covered with an insulating film with a layer of shavings.
Walls
The walls for each type of house are also different. In the enclosure and in the mounted pigeon, the walls are a grid stretched over the frame. In the case of a house in the attic, there is no need to put up walls - they already exist. The most difficult to build is the tower view. Here the walls are built of boards according to the prepared drawings.
Roof
In the tower house above the roof you have to work. For its construction, boards are used. The principle is the same as when making a roof for a house or a barn. From above it is desirable to cover everything with roofing material.
Important! It is recommended to place an insulating waterproof film on the roof.
The roof of the pigeon house in the attic will be the roof of the building on which it is located. For the hinged house and the aviary, they use the same grid. For additional protection against rain, you can use boards, but more economically - a film.
Window
For the structure in the attic, windows are most often not provided. However, if there is such an opportunity and this does not harm the roof of the house, then you can make several small window openings in the structure. In a tower house, the area of windows should be from 1/6 to 1/8 of the floor area. They should be located low enough so that the room is well lit. Windows are placed on the southeastern or eastern part of the structure.
Walking area
A good walking area for the tower dovecote and the poultry house in the attic can be an extension of the net, the floor of which is paved with plywood. For a cage and a hinged view, a walking zone is not provided.
Ventilation
In the case of an enclosure and a mounted house, additional ventilation is not necessary. For the remaining types, the best option is to build an additional mesh door as the second after the main one. To do this, pull a fine mesh onto the wooden frame of the door, securing it with nails. You can also carry out the hood.
Video: how to build a dovecot with your own hands
How to warm a dovecote for the winter
There are many methods for insulating a house. Some of them relate only to a certain part of the building, so the best effect will be given in the aggregate.
- Cardboard for packaging. This is the most simple and economical way: you just need to sheathe the entire room with cardboard.
- For filling small cracks or cracks, you can use polyurethane foam.
- A bricked house should be insulated polystyrene and plaster. Inside, the building can be finished with plywood and insulation film.
- The roof is often insulated mineral wool.
- Warming clay considered one of the more convenient and reliable. It can treat the entire inner surface of the structure.
- Floors, walls and roof can be insulated foil insulation.
Did you know? The fastest pigeon in Europe named Bolt turned out to be the most expensive carrier pigeon in history. A Chinese millionaire bought it for 300,000 pounds, counting on numerous offspring with the best qualities of a champion.
How to equip a dovecote inside
In order for the birds to remain healthy and feel comfortable in their house, it is necessary to correctly equip the building from the inside with various devices. Perches, feeders, drinking bowls and bathtubs - this is what must necessarily be in every pigeon.
Creating a microclimate
Pigeons come from southern countries, so you need to monitor the temperature of the place in which they live. In winter, temperatures from 5 to 7 ° С will be comfortable for them, and in summer - up to 20 ° С. It is enough to insulate the house in the winter and periodically ventilate it in the summer. You can install a thermometer to easily monitor temperature changes. Also, the desired microclimate cannot be created without proper lighting. To do this, it is enough to install a dim lamp in the dovecote.
Perches
Each bird should have an individual place for nest and sitting. For this, roosters serve as birds. They can be purchased or made with your own hands. They look like wooden book shelves with a small side in front. At the request of the perches, you can equip the lattice, so that, if necessary, be able to close the birds there.
Feeding troughs, drinking bowls and bathtubs
There are 2 types of feeders: conventional and automatic feeders. Their number and size directly depend on how many pigeons they are designed for. The main requirement for feeders is the ease of cleaning and disinfection. It is best to use such feeders in which pigeons cannot get into completely, but only with their beak. This will protect the feed from contamination and spreading.
Another important detail in the equipment of the house is drinking bowls. They must be protected so that the water is not contaminated. This is important due to the fact that when feces enter the water, it becomes a source of various diseases that can be dangerous not only for birds, but also for humans. The material for drinking bowls should be plexiglass, porcelain, glass or plastic. Do not use devices made of zinc, galvanized steel or copper - they can be dangerous for birds.Of great importance for maintaining the physical health of birds are also baths. Arranging water procedures is especially important in the heat or during molting. Frequent baths strengthen the pigeon's immunity. In addition, they are indispensable in the fight against insects. You can buy a special bath for birds, or you can use baking sheets with small sides (about 6 cm in height).
Useful Tips
To keep pigeons in good health, you need to follow some recommendations for caring for these birds:
- As soon as the birds finish the evening meal, it is necessary to turn off the light in the house.
- Try to be using natural remedies when caring for pigeons. Too many drugs with the slightest symptoms of infection will not be beneficial.
- Sometimes pigeons form droplets on their paws that interfere with them while walking. These balls must be removed immediately.
- Learn to watch your birds. Learn all aspects of their behavior at different times of the year.
It is important to remember that pigeons, like any pets, require attention and often take a lot of time from the owners. The decision to raise such birds should be balanced and deliberate. And if it is final - build a cozy home for your pets.