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Dave Rupiper DVM
It comes as no surprise that pigeons and doves have become domesticated and used
as a source of food, income, sport and entertainment for centuries. Their docile
nature, prolific reproductive capacity and minimal housing and nutritional requirements
have helped them achieve this popularity. Even today, pigeons are trained to race
in meets with purse prizes exceeding $25,000. Doves, too, have been kept as aviary
specimens, utilized as a food source and as performance or show animals.
The basics tenets of avian husbandry apply to doves just as with any bird species.
Nutrition appropriate to the species, adequate housing, and a clean environment
are all that is needed to raise and house doves. Let's discuss each of these areas
individually.
The nutritional requirements of doves and pigeons are easily provided. In general,
doves require a fairly high fiber diet of grains and seeds. A protein content of
14% is desirable but they will do well on diets containing 12-18% protein. Grains
most commonly fed include millet, corn, wheat, milo as well as peas and safflower.
Numerous commercial seed mixes are available and are normally fed once or twice
daily. Doves and pigeons also need a source of grit and oyster shell. The shell
provides calcium and phosphorus and the grit aids in the digestion of the seed.
Occasionally, doves will eat chopped fruits and vegetables, live prey such as meal
worms and human foods like pastas, bread, crackers and cheeses. With this kind of
diet vitamins may not be necessary but if the birds eat only seed mixes then supplementation
of the diet with soluble vitamins in the water may be desirable. The water must be
changed on a daily basis and the water vessels disinfected weekly.
Doves and pigeons should be housed appropriately. The aviary or loft must provide
at least 2.5 m3 for each bird. This means that approximately 20 birds may housed
in a 6 x6 x 6 foot loft. There should be at least two perches per bird and two nest
boxes per pair. You may find with doves, however, that they prefer to form communal
nest sites and will raise and feed each other's offspring. The nesting areas should
be above the floor at least four feet and in a protected area. Small 'V' shaped
boxes lined with grasses and attached to the walls seem to work best. The aviary
needs to protect the birds during foul weather. At all times the loft must remain
dry and clean. Ventilation is achieved by having screened windows or doors and ventilation
ports. Water containers and feeders are best elevated at least three feet off the
cage floor.
Taking care of doves is rather simple as well. Though doves prefer a dry aviary,
they enjoy taking baths. These can be offered weekly by placing a shallow pan of
water on the aviary floor. Bath water should be provided in a container separate
from the drinking water. Baths aid in reducing external parasites but pigeons often
need to be dusted for lice and pigeon flies on a monthly or quarterly schedule.
Cleaning the aviary floor on a daily or weekly schedule will help to eliminate parasites
and keep bacterial and protozoal infections to a minimum. Keeping the loft clean
is essential to flock health.
Most infectious diseases commonly affecting doves and pigeons can be "managed"
away. Bacterial infections like Salmonella and E. coli are prevented
by good loft hygiene and husbandry practices. Trichomoniasis (Canker) and Coccidiosis
are protozoal infections which are also controlled through sanitation, disinfecting
water vessels and occasionally with medications. The biggest concern with dove and
pigeon diseases is Psittacosis. This unique bacterial infection is transmissible
to humans. Fortunately, it is rarely encountered in a healthy flock and seldom affects
humans exposed to pigeons and doves. Psittacosis is controlled by medication and
reducing crowding within the aviary.
Doves' gentle nature, graceful appearance and soft voice have made them ideal aviary
specimens and display animals. For more information about doves, please check your
library and contact your local avicultural organizations.
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