Pigeon Keeping Guide (Rock Dove & Turtledove) | Cage, Diet, Health Management & Hand-Taming Training
A comprehensive guide to keeping pigeons including rock doves (rock pigeons), turtledoves, and diamond doves. Covers breed-specific characteristics, cage size and furnishings, grain-based diet management, health management including salmonellosis and trichomoniasis, and hand-taming training procedures—a practical guide to properly keeping pigeons as pets.
Key Takeaways
A comprehensive guide to keeping pigeons including rock doves (rock pigeons), turtledoves, and diamond doves. Covers breed-specific characteristics, cage size and furnishings, grain-based diet management, health management including salmonellosis and trichomoniasis, and hand-taming training procedures—a practical guide to properly keeping pigeons as pets.
Related Species
The Appeal of Keeping Pigeons as Pets
In Japan, pigeons kept as pets are broadly divided into two types: "rock doves (rock pigeons)" and "turtledoves." Rock doves have been kept for centuries as homing pigeons, racing pigeons, and ornamental pigeons. Due to their gentle temperament and ease of socialization, they offer a quiet keeping experience different from parakeets and Bengalese finches.
Benefits of Keeping Pigeons as Pets
- Soft calls (cooing sounds), not loud screeching like parakeets
- Relatively low-maintenance with high independence
- Minimal powder down, less likely to trigger allergies (advantageous for some)
- High flight ability, allowing free-flight enjoyment
Pigeon Types and Selection
Rock Dove (Rock Pigeon / Columba livia)
The blue-gray pigeons commonly seen in Japanese cities are wild-type rock doves (semi-wild), but many improved breeds exist as pets.
Major Breeds
| Breed | Characteristics |
|---|---|
| Fantail (Peacock Pigeon) | Characterized by fan-shaped spread tail feathers |
| Jacobin | Unique hood-like feathers on the head |
| Tumbler | Traditional breed that performs aerial rolls in flight |
| Homing Pigeon | High homing instinct, kept for racing competitions |
| Ring Neck Dove | Small, soft-voiced, suitable for beginners |
Turtledove (Streptopelia orientalis)
A wild bird native to Japan that can only be kept if wild-caught individuals are rescued and socialized. However, wild Japanese turtledoves are protected under the Wildlife Protection Law, and capture is generally prohibited. Captive birds must be limited to individuals rescued from injury or parental abandonment.
Diamond Dove (Geopelia cuneata)
A small pigeon native to Australia. With a body length of approximately 20cm and relatively easy breeding, it's popular as an introductory species.
Cage and Keeping Environment
Cage Size
| Pigeon Type | Minimum Cage Size |
|---|---|
| Small (Diamond Doves, etc.) | 60×40×50cm or larger |
| Medium (Rock Doves, Turtledoves) | 90×60×60cm or larger |
| Large Breeds | 120cm width or larger ideally |
Pigeons move laterally frequently, so a wide cage is appropriate.
Cage Furnishings
- Perches: Install 2-3 thick rounded logs (3-5cm diameter)
- Nest Pan/Nest Box: For laying and resting. One flat or box-style nest
- Water Dish: Pigeons drink by immersing their beaks and sucking water quickly, so a deep water container is essential
- Sand Bath: Pigeons enjoy sand bathing to keep clean. Install a sand bath tray
Temperature and Humidity
- Ideal temperature: 15-28°C (can tolerate some cold, but below 10°C causes health issues)
- Humidity: 40-70%
- Avoid direct sunlight and air conditioner drafts
Diet Management
Basic Diet
Pigeons' primary diet is grains (seeds). Unlike parakeet seed, the focus is on larger grains.
Typical Pigeon Feed Mix Composition
| Grain | Proportion Guide |
|---|---|
| Corn | 40-50% |
| Barley | 20-30% |
| Wheat | 10-20% |
| Peas | 10% |
| Other Grains | Supplementary |
Commercial pigeon seed mixes are convenient. Parakeet seed is too small, so choose pigeon-specific mixes.
Supplementary Foods
- Grit (Pebbles/Oyster Shell Powder): Aids digestion and provides calcium. Especially important for laying hens
- Leafy Greens: Mustard greens, lettuce, pea shoots 2-3 times weekly
- Salt Block: Provides minerals and maintains palatability
Foods to Avoid
Onions, chocolate, avocado, and alcohol are toxic to pigeons and birds in general.
Health Management
Common Diseases
Salmonellosis (Paratyphoid)
A bacterial disease common in pigeons. Symptoms include diarrhea, weight loss, and arthritis (neurological symptoms called "rotational disease" may occur). Isolation and fecal testing are effective when introducing new birds.
Trichomoniasis (Canker)
A protozoan infection causing yellow cheese-like lesions in the mouth and esophagus. Common in young birds. Treated with anti-trichomonal drugs (metronidazole, etc.).
Candidiasis (Moniliasis)
Causes white yeast-like lesions in the crop. Excess sweet grains or immunosuppression are triggers.
Regular Health Check-ups
Annual or bi-annual check-ups with an avian specialist (exotic animal veterinarian) are recommended. Fecal testing can detect trichomoniasis, coccidiosis, and other parasites early.
Hand-Taming Training
Pigeons can be hand-tamed with patient training.
Hand-Taming Training Steps
- For the first 1-2 weeks, talk through the cage to familiarize it with your presence
- Open the cage door and slowly insert your hand (don't chase if it flees)
- Place preferred grains in your palm and wait for it to approach voluntarily
- Once it eats from your hand, gradually guide it to perch on your hand
Pigeons don't seek play as much as parakeets, but they recognize their keepers and feel reassured by their voice and presence. The ability to build a quiet, peaceful coexistence is a major appeal of keeping pigeons as pets.