How do I start a white dove release business?

[JoJo 95]

I have read about raising pigeons for release during weddings and funerals. I already wanted to raise squabbers and thought i could just get pigeons for release too. How would I do this?

 

[deerman]

Best to get good white racing homer, ones that have been flown at least 150 mile, then raise young from them, then train these to home to your place.

You will need different birds for squab, other for the release. Birds will need seperate lofts also or they will cross breed.


Squab breeds are very poor at homing.

 

[JoJo 95]

ok. Anyone know where I can get homers?

 

[yardbird tx]

Quote:
Ive seen white homers at almost every show ive been to. Check at the local pigeon shows. I think there are a few people here in Austin that have some. I might be able to track them down if you want to pay for shipping.

Just remember you can never fly the birds you buy. You can only fly the birds that you hatch there at your place.

 

[BlueEggs4Life]

You can fly the birds you buy if they are very young and un-flown at their previous home. I started out with 5 white homing pigeons I bought at a local bird show that were only 5 weeks old. I kept them in my loft for about a month before letting them get a taste of the outdoors. They will fly home if they are older birds that have been allowed to fly or have had young at there previous home. There are several people with websites willing to sell birds online but many charge on the heavy side due to shipping costs. As far as buying on line, I have heard good things about Dennis Kuhn Loft (whiteracers.com) and also you can check out the AU website (pigeon.org) and search for local pigeon racers. Many have emails you can contact them at and they are very helpful people in general. You may be able to find someone local that way. Eggbid.com is also an option. Check out "live birds". Once again, shipping can get high and some birds are expensive due to proven race winner genes. There are white homer groups for sale from time to time though that are reasonable. I also know someone who had luck with http://www.2racepigeons.com/white_pigeons_for_sale.html) They look expensive but after you calculate shipping its not that far off from others. Also, if you go with this site be sure to order the young white homers father down the page and not the older ones up at the top if you want to fly the birds you buy and not just use them for breeders. **Pigeons reproduce like crazy so you dont really need that many to start either. Make sure you read up on pigeon needs before purchasing also... I made the mistake of not checking my local stores for pigeon grit and had to order it from a website which wasn't cheap, since I already had the birds in my possession and needed it fast. Good luck and let me know if you have any q's I might be able to help with

 

[Mary Of Exeter]

How big of a radius are you planning on covering? No point in getting racers from Dennis Kuhn if your churches are in, say, a 50 mile radius. Plain ole homers can handle that. Good to get them from someone who actually flies theirs at a distance, than someone who just breeds for white birds. In some cases, people have just focused on the white coloring and ignored their ability to home, making them all but useless past 20 or so miles.

 

[greathorse]

I will weigh in though I know nothing at all about pigeons but they do interest me so I have done some research. There is a lot of info available with a couple of searches. From there as always buy the best stock that you can afford that fits your needs. I had a freind that got married on his own farm and there was a dove release several of them hung around for a couple of days at least and seemed quite lost. I am not sure but am guessing they never got home and were a wonderful dinner for some hawk or owl.

 

[seismic wonder2]

OK,
#1. Don't fall for the "Dove Release" thing. Please do NOT release Doves. They do NOT have Homing ability and will hang around the release point until they starve or are eaten by something.

#2. If you're really serious about starting a white PIGEON release business, get the best HOMING white pigeons you can afford ($200.00 to $300.00 a pair) and breed them in a separate loft.

#3. If you just want to dabble in the business close to home "grizzled" white homers will do just fine. They may have a speck or two of non white feathers here and there but I bet no one will notice at the weddings. When they breed sometimes white is not the dominant color and the squeekers could be even all black, ya never know.

Check your PM box for another tidbit of information.

 

[greathorse]

Yep pretty sure that is what happened at my Buddy's house. I felt kind of sorry for the birds as they looked very confused about what to do upon release.

 

[Feathered Wings]

Quote:
Thank You, Thank You, Thank You for posting this

As a breeder of White Doves i have people want to buy them for this purpose and i always say to them what you have said here.
Surprisingly most people do not realize doves can't survive once released