building loft for new pigeons, need info?

[samsprik]

I'm getting homer pigeons in a few weeks for free and I'm thinking I want to build an 8x8 loft for them, how many pigeons would be the max I could fit in it? Also I plan on putting ledges and roots too, my other question is, what would be the best dimensions for nesting boxes? And for a run should it be small or big? Eventually I would like to put a trap door above the run.

 

[GitaBooks]

Congrats on the birds!


If you have a large run, you don't need that large a loft. It should include lots of perches at lots of heights, an easy to clean floor, a couple of food and water dishes spread out, and a few nest boxes (there are some great plans elsewhere on the internet. I've never built any myself).
As for the run, the bigger the better. Birds love flying, and are happier and healthier the more space and exercise they get. I would say 12 ft long by 10 ft wide by 8 ft tall would be a minimum for a good run. If you are letting them out to exercise free-range daily, then you could make the run a little smaller.

I hope this helps. I've never kept pigeons but I have researched them and they are pretty amazing.

Best of luck!

 

[feathersaloft]

2 square foot per bird, including aviary. I personally don't let my birds have a run, as such. No contact with the ground.



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[Hokum Coco]

Take a look at my set up the link is in my signature (my nest boxes are on the large side) 2 square feet per bird is more than adequate.

I once had over 40 white homing pigeons (or nearly all white).
Due to a devastating raccoon attack I am down to 6 birds and in a rebuilding process.
My nest boxes are designed to accommodate a nylon mesh feed bag makes cleaning easier fold up the soiled and pop in the new
Easy Peasy







The blue bar is a feral that trapped in with my flock.
He could not keep up to the training regiment and failed to return.








My pigeon trap with inner bobs to hold birds inside loft.




Nest Bowl available at the Dollar Store in Canada.


My baby barn converted into pigeon loft

I

I used this converted Styrofoam cooler as a nest box over winter months with excellent results.

I also suffered a total wipe in 2015 when a weasel killed my entire flock. I now built up my flock to 9 birds.

 

[feathersaloft]

Do a search for Red Rose lofts online. I based my first loft on that.
The white bird loft was first, with bob traps.
Then we converted a 12x12 shed into a racer loft.
And a 3x5 shed for daughters fancy loft flyers.

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[WingsofFlight]

You can always try building mini lofts with wire floor, keeps everything clean...This is a start to one I


m working on

 

[samsprik]

You can always try building mini lofts with wire floor, keeps everything clean...This is a start to one I m working on

Cool loft, Im working on mine in about a week

 

[jak2002003]

I would love to have a loft like that. Are they easy to clean... looks a bit deep to lean into to clean the back?

 

[Lofty Dreams]

This was my kit loft when I had pigeons; my chickens have now taken it over. It is a 8' by 10' It has six windows; three on the right side, one on the middle of the left side and another on both the front and the back so plenty of light and ventilation. It has two pens with 30 perches in each pen. The one in the back runs from the end of the second window and across while the second pen stops before the first window, this extra spacewas designed for feed storage. It even has a very tiny outside pen.

Have a really quick, inaccurate sketch of the coop-loft.


Blue; Windows
Orange; Doors
Gold; Box Perches

When building a loft, I would advise to keep it not much taller then you are so could easily catch and examine your birds and that the higher perches are usually more prefered then the lower ones. I would also suggest that you use doors which are elevated off the ground by a few inches (it's easier to open if there is a mess).

 

[JPBIRD1231]

Are you building it from plans ?