New nest boxes

Here is a pic of our new nest "boxes".  Made from 5 gal buckets. The birds love them and are already nesting in them.

In last post we were settling in new doves purchased from a friend in Indiana.  We release them on March 15th. We lost several which I expected too (lost meaning they did not return home) There are 3 that refuse to come into the loft. I call them my 3 stooges. They sit on top of the loft but refuse to come in. Oh well there are always a few in every bunch...LOL.  We will start release training next week going out about 3-5 miles from home.

We have 8 babies  and 8 eggs. I am hoping to have 100 birds by end of summer.  We are considering a new loft to hold flying teams only. It will be smaller than the main loft. the breeding birds will need more room to raise and fledge babies.  The fly team loft will have perchs only. Birds choosen for breeders will be moved to breeder loft.

We are also looking at adding a few fantail, jacobins, and frillbacks for our display cages. I will send more pics as things progress.

New birds feel at home today; this is Indiana weather ( - the snow of course). The Texas birds think its toooo dang cold! Put a heat lamp in the loft last night and they are all trying to huddle next to it. They usually tolerate the cold but I think they prefere the warm. Their normal body temp is about 104 so when it gets down to 30 they feel it even more than we do. Babies are all fine. Mommas and Daddys are keeping them warm. Gave every one little extra food this morning.

These birds are really incredible. Did you know that pigeons are one of the few animals that can actually recognize  themselves in a mirror. They can see in color as well as trememdous distances.
 I will try to post some pics in the next few days. Watch the babies grow from "ugly ducklings" to beautiful white doves.

   Earth's Angels just acquired 45 new doves. Our new pets are from Indiana. They are loving our Texas weather (it may be wet and cold for us but these yankees think its springtime).
   The flock is just finishing up a round of twice yearly treatments for parasites (internal and external). Next week they will get a dose of probiotics, then routine vitamins for a week before training starts on March 7th.
   Noticed a pair of Red Shoulder hawks on the power lines just up from the house yesterday. Hope they move on before we start training.
   New babies already hatching. 6 total. lost 1 not sure why parents wouldn't feed it. Feed nest mate so guessing something must have been wrong with it.
    Several newly weds in the loft; nest sites are prime real estate right now. Gotta get new nest boxes up soon. Will have my 100 bird goal by summer if things keep going this way!
signing off for now more to come
Lydehawke