Are Pigeons Good Pets?

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There has long been a connection between pigeons and people, and it is not uncommon to find people who actually do keep pigeons, but they are quite a different type of pet compared to a dog or a cat. The majority of people who keep pigeons as pets will do so with the intention of competing with the birds, as they are a species that has a fantastic homing instinct, and are very skilled at finding their way back to their home.



The Plus Points Of Keeping Pigeons As Pets

Pigeons do not really require a significant amount of care compared to other pets such as dogs who may need regular walking and a lot of physical activity to look after them. Pigeons are among the most intelligent creatures in terms of recognition, so will come to recognize their keepers, and will react when they are being fed or they are being taken out for their exercise.

Pigeons For Racing

While keeping pigeons was historically an activity that supported communication because they were used for carrying messages, today the most common activity for pigeon keepers is that they are kept for pigeon racing. The distances for these races is varied, and can range from a sprint race of around 100 kilometers to a long distance race of up to 1000 kilometers. This is usually considered to be one of the most rewarding parts of keeping pigeons, and there is also a strong community among those who keep pigeons, and it can be good to meet up and see how others are looking after their birds.

Can You Domesticate A Wild Pigeon?

Although many of the feral pigeons that are found in towns and cities may have been descended from domesticated pigeons, it isn't really worth the risks that come with domesticating a wild pigeon. Breeders and those who keep pigeon will not want the diseases present in the wild pigeon population being transmitted, so domesticating a pigeon is certainly not recommended.

Problems With Keeping Pigeons

Pigeons are a specialty pet, so they have very different needs, and although there are commercial feeds available, you will usually need to supplement these to feed the birds properly. They also require a fair amount of space, at least a shed for them to live in, cages and a garden area where they can be let out and exercised without the risk of there being birds of prey in the area.

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