Hi all! I need your help! I want some chickens desperately, but I know I just don't have the room for them and couldn't provide the free range space they would need. But...I absolutely love the fancy pigeon and dove varieties that are available. I need help finding a reputable pigeon/dove breeder. Any suggestions would be SOO wonderful!
Beth
Suggestions for reputable pigeon/dove breeders?
It would be interesting to know... of all the pet birds I've seen, one of my favorites are the diamond doves. Much nicer to listen to than some shrieky parrot, I think. =) How does one find the pigeon fanciers in one's area? What about pigeon shows? Maybe check into the local poultry shows and just start asking around... several folks here do both.
Harmony would be a good person to talk to. She may live at least somewhat close to you. I unfortunately dont know much about pigeons. I am sure some of these fine people will help you out. I have seen some really great pics of their birds. Best wishes on your quest!! ;)
PlantRn i sudjest looking at the georgia farmers and comsumers market bulletin. If that doesn't work i can give you several numbers of people i know who have these. I don't know if anyone has these now but you can try i know Ron Strickland has Doves hes in the bulletin sometimes. Danny Ryles also has Doves and he did have diamond doves don't know about now and he's in the bulletin.
If you find someone please dmail me before you call them i know one person you don't want birds from.
it depends what kind of pigeons/doves u looking for? i have frillback pigeons and am breeding them now to sell or trade the youngsters when spring comes. i bought mine off of eggbid.com but there is many auction places and pigeon forums, sometimes chicken forums that offer them up as well for sale or trade. ovabid.com is another that has them listed. search the net u should be able to find them that's what i did. on auction sites u can read peoples feedbacks left by buyers to see how reputable they r and what kind of seller they r or what the stock is like. i always check feedbacks before buying from someone to see what the seller is like i maybe working with in the futer.
PlantRn some of the ones i mentioned above will be at the Monroe Chicken Show on the 14th. If you will ask the breeders there they will tell you what they have. I'm picking up at the show some Italian Owls from someone i know. There should be someone who is in driving distance of you it would save on the shipping cost of getting them online.
I will be there at the show and i would more than gladly introduce you to some folks.
Thanks all! DGers are truly the very best!
Harmony--you always have the best notes! I missed the last chicken show--I so wanted to go but was not feeling well. I have the Monroe Chicken show on my calendar and hope to make it. It would be wonderful to be introduced to some reputable breeders of well-cared for birds!
silkiechick--I think I've seen photos of your frillbacks and believe it or not, that's when I got very interested in fancy pigeons. To be frank, I had no idea fancy pigeons even existed (nor all the cool chicken breeds either) until I came to this forum. If you have some young ones this spring that you cannot use in your program, I would love to be on your waiting list! I will take a look at some of the auction sites as well, but I will NOT buy anything until I've come to this forum and asked! I promise!
Our local petsmart has diamond doves usually, plus cute little owl-faced finches, but I just can't seem to make myself buy from them. I'm sure they get their birds locally, but I would rather buy direct from the breeder. I have pedigreed show cats, and while breeders of any animal get a lot of flack these days, we are not the problem for the over-population problem in this country (1-2% of all animals in shelters are true pedigreed/purebred animals). Animal rightists would like folks to believe so, and while there are some HORRIBLE breeders out there, there are also some very fine people, too, who take great care in their animals and stock and who want only to maintain these wonderful breeds and improve their hardiness. I'd rather buy direct ANYtime I can.
I'm off to do some 'shopping' on the auction sites. I'll definitely "ask before I buy" though. Thanks again all! Beth
Ok wonderful people! What about Strombergs--anyone bought from them before? Their website is well-done and professional, but that doesn't tell me much. Prices are a little high, I think? And also www.pigeonfarms.com?
Also, any suggestions for the best coop and suppliers of good coops? If I'm gonna do this, I want to do it right. :) THANKS! Beth
u'll be happy to know i had an uggie baby hatch this morning!!! so i have 6 breeders a mth old baby and a newborn frillback!!!!
that is so awesome u r hooked on pigeons now, to be honest i wished i'd of got them years ago. i breed cockatiels to but they r just way to touchy to raise compaired to pigeons. i have raised, finches, budgies, parakets, ringneck doves and all sorts of caged birds over the years but by far my fav is pigeons. as for lofts i couldn't tell u i use an antique parrot cage for one pair. my other breeders r in a wooden loft we built ourselves that has one tall cage divided in 2 so it is top cage and bottom cage. i keep mine inside since they were shipped from tx right as our bad winter hit i feared for there hardiness since they had no time to adjust here. rather than risk it i keep them inside. i will definately put u on my waiting list and will let u know anytime i have any birds or eggs available. as for strombergs yes they r expensive but it is a site i see reccomended alot by other breeders. i have not personally bought from them yet but hope to in spring this year. i just got their catalog last week but haven't had time to check it yet.
PlantRn I Have the German Owls and Jacobins and if you will let me know what breeds you are looking for i can try and find those.I won't be breeding until spring because it's to cold for the babys this time of year.
Silkies frill backs are beautiful!!!
Are you planning on showing or are you just wanting them for pets?
silkiechick--do please keep me on your list!!? I will likely keep my pigeons inside as well. I bet my uncle could build one of those big lovely lofts that actually look like big pieces of furniture. I ordered the Stromberg's catalog as well so maybe I can get a better feel for what I'm looking for.
Harmony, I'm still doing some research but I do love those frillbacks and the Owls are gorgeous. Right now, I'm just looking for some pets--I don't know if I would show. I might later if I am good at caring for these babies.
Richard Norris of Ashwood Gardens in Ohio has racing pigeons. You might contact him for some information.
D-mail if you'd like his phone number
Janet
If you just want Pets and not too particular about them being show quality you can get some good ones for $10 To $20 each.
I know a man in Mcdonugh(sp?) has alot of Pigeons and his are $20 each and i believe he has Chinese Owls and Jacobins them there is some fancy breeds.
DO you want his number?
Edited to correct spelling
This message was edited Feb 5, 2009 10:52 AM
Not sure about showing--as of yet, I've not even visited a chicken/bird show, but that is definitely on my list of must-do things. I'm sure it isn't that much different from showing cats/dogs, etc., but there's the whole new world of caring for pigeons. I just think they are lovely!
hey harm, if he is willing to ship birds please send me his contact info in d-mail. i'd love to get some jacobins if he does and see what else he has as well.
thanks,
silkie