Pigeon Keeping Guide (Rock Dove & Turtledove) | Cage, Diet, Health Management & Hand-Taming Training | ブリちょく
Birds| ✍️ BreederDirect Editorial
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.
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.
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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.
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.
