The Hard Truth About Keeping Pigeons

I bring the pigeons downtown for a redemption release. I was not expecting the results I got.

[@steelvalleyloft1678]

I have lost an entire flock on a toss. Some return the next day. During winter you can not get away from the Hawks and Falcons. Falcons build their nests on top of those tall buildings. I was anticipating a Falcon to attack. Training of new birds should start in April; because, There are less attacks by Bops in Spring and Summer. They feed on the easy pickings of Spring babies. By Fall and Winter you'll have birds a little more savvy in dealing with BOPs.

[@SatanicHippie]

Yooo how do you not have more subscribers. Pigeons may not bring a ton of viewers but how you style your videos you deserve a ton more. Much love!

[@pigeonsroc]

Thank you very much!! I appreciate that a lot.

[@cnt7596]

Training does take time. First it’s loft flying then step by step tossing but from shorter distances like getting them used the basket as well. If trained right more birds will show up. Been in the pigeon game for a while now and by tossing them slowly after loft flying when they get really comfortable you can start to basket them and toss them from a block away then gradually go higher in mileage. Hope everything turns up good luck.

[@rickyd1126]

Right not really in the life but would like to be so I’ve read up some. I’ve heard of many trimming their feathers or just the mysterious flight feather in the old days and feeding them outside the loft. With them not being able to take full flight they get a feel for home. While doing this they would spread feed in target areas. Feed just here one day feed just their the other, while doing this the keeper would pay close attention to see which birds catch on and how the flock follows. Then those that catch on would be those the keeper would toss to the feed on the loft paying close attention to the ones that naturally enter. Then eventually hand picked birds would be the birds that will lead the flock back home. Is this somewhat what you’re talking about? Or am I adding to much to the toss method? Do have a book to recommend?

[@sallys4146]

Hell of an ending to the video 😥 hope everything turned out! Wish the best. Also so cute seeing them stomp around in the snow like that

[@gpsloft5868]

Nice video!! Can’t wait for the next episode!! Best of luck brother!

[@pigeonsroc]

Thanks a ton!

[@mariedixon2764]

Super gorgeous. I have white ones too. You’ve probably done this but I film on my iPhone in slo-mo and it’s amazing to slow them down in flight, especially against the blue sky. Beautiful birds 🕊️ 🕊️

[@louisawesterlund4106]

The first couple of training tosses I would have released them from the corner of roof top, gets them familiar with the box. Toss them hungry. They had no reason to return straight away. Often young birds will range out around an area for a couple of hours.

[@BKLoft-qk7my]

Hoping for the best for you brother. Looks like you’re doing all you can do for them and you just gotta hope and trust that they return to you. Perhaps you could try holding a couple pairs back to breed a couple young back up birds for you.

[@measuredtwice]

Hope everything turns out well. I appreciate the video

[@bluecolumbine]

It’s very cool to see a younger person in the hobby! I have been interested for some time and just recently adopted a single pigeon. Right now he lives inside and we’ve been bonding a lot and learning together. I am looking into getting him a female, as was the wish of the man who gave him to me, and possibly in the future I’d like to do a coop and try flying them. I could understand how stressful that must feel, and I’m sorry you lost some of your birds. I wish you the best of luck, very awesome idea to do releases at funerals. Their flying was very beautiful! 🤍🕊️🤍🕊️🤍🕊️

[@Timfishoh2759]

Sorry to hear about the incident. But you learned. And you owned it. Good on you.

[@pigeonsroc]

Thanks Tim!

[@kiranvgvg636]

At first you have to choose some short distance buddy... Hope they will arrive soon

[@kerstinkanzler183]

O man that sucks good luck man wish u all the best Love your videos loveing watching your videos Are you going to breed them?? And if yes you should show how u breed!!!!!!!

[@valkyrie1066]

A pigeon I raised as a baby always returned to my bedroom, snuggled into the sheepskin. And always demanded scritches when she returned. She had a full crop so I knew she was successfully foraging, even though there is food here. So she wasn't returning FOR food.

[@jjp90x17]

freakin cliffhanger ending brooooo

[@inmyfreetyme]

Love your white birds and the white one with the brown wings. Those people probably thought U left a bomb in that field...ha..ha.. I think they took the scenic route home. 😎

[@pigeonsroc]

the brown winged one is named Clint Eastwood. She's a strong bird, and still with me!

[@lucasantolin1769]

Yo tengo algunas palomas que tardan hasta 3 días en regresar al palomar a una distancia de 5 kms XD, coincido con el comentario anterior, has sueltas de un par de palomas y ve descartando de las practicas gurpales a las palomas mas lentas!!! esas palomas te retrasaran o distraerán al demás grupo!!! tu comienzo es bueno, prueba y error no hay de otra, pero si debes de comenzar a hacer una selección de tus aves mas veloces y trabajar con ellas exclusivamente para conformar un buen grupo solido y veloz!!! saludos desde mexico!!!

[@djZur2]

great video, how cold does it get where you are ? can I have pigeons in montreal canada sometimes temperatures drop to -20 celcius

[@viliusm.8232]

No problem even at minus 30 of Celsius as it gets that cold in my place in Europe. You just have to give them proper feed and water few times a day as it freezes after awhile. Do jot have drafts inside loft, just enaugh ventilation so the damp air gets out.

[@valkyrie1066]

Where ARE'NT there hawks? I've moved cross country; there are just as many if more hawks here. I'd love to have a house pigeon and a half dozen chickens, but I didn't intend to fence them completely in. (The sides, yes, the top, no.) Are there safe ways to repel them? It would break my heart to have a pigeon and NOT let it free fly.

[@georgesaleeby8037]

Great job, bravo, nice video

[@georgesaleeby8037]

Good job . Bravo

[@monti409]

First time I see homing pigeons walking out of their carrier taking in the sights.

[@stash118]

If you lose most of them you can get better ones (genetically) its fun to see a channel grow😁😂.

[@namaloomsepahe3952]

Hey bro where is other pigeons They are come back I hope all is come back

[@georgesaleeby8037]

My favorite pet , Really

[@seamus6994]

Is there a continuation to this video?

[@pigeonsroc]

Yes it’s the next video that came out

[@abcloft302]

I say quality birds is the first thing, then let them loft fly range for 1 hour then they ready for 5 mile toss

[@pigeonsroc]

I definitely need to invest in some Pedigreed white homers for breeding!

[@abcloft302]

@@pigeonsroc yes I bought 20$ white dove birds my first year and there homing ability was garbage they got lost loft flying 😅I no longer have whites only white grizzle based birds with black beaks.

[@pigeonsroc]

@@abcloft302 sounds just like my experience!! Thanks for the advice!!

[@mikisi9694]

Where they hungry when you let them out? If they weren’t hungry they won’t have much incentive to come home quickly. You should be calling them in for a feed as soon as they come back. They should be trained to understand the feed call and respond to it when they are hungry before you let them out. Flying birds that are full or over fed is a recipe for disaster it can even hinder they’re flying if they weigh too much

[@matth7856]

your in rochester ny are u in the club

[@seanmurphy6955]

did you get your birds back m8

[@pigeonsroc]

half the flock never came home, but we have rebuilt stronger!

[@express-pigeons1554]

If you want treninig & racing pigeons you must buy RACING pigeons.With white homers you lose time.

[@Rcman1223]

I know this is an old video but The birds need to be Routing for at least 1-2 Hrs a day for at least 3-4 weeks . I had birds for 20 years yes I’ve lost birds on tosses 1 or 2 but never more then that . Cut down on how you’re feeding them when training them it helps . My first toss was 1 mile 3 times in a week . The next week 5 miles 4 times . Then the next week 10 miles 4 times . After that I went 20 miles 2 times then 30 miles 3 times then 50 miles 5 times . Late afternoons I would do short tosses a few miles. After the 50 miles we went to 75 then 100 after the 100 it was 150 then 200 and so on . Good luck if you still are flying birds

[@CoRbYbOy87]

Thanks for that I can take your advice on board 👍🏻👍🏻

[@dubaiwalker]

I’m very sorry for yr pigeons Dood

[@dubaiwalker]

😢

[@hoihoipoipoi]

those poor birds.

[@jpflynn5651]

Settle down with the sky scraper thing

[@thelouiebrand]

What glasses are those? They’re dope.

[@pigeonsroc]

Oakley Holbrooks!!

[@leunisvandewege9651]

Sorry, this is not "the hard truth about keeping pigeons", this is the hard truth about being stupid! 1) Try to find some basic information about racing pigeons (homers!) 2) Buy some white racing pigeons. 3) Start training these birds in spring when the snow is gone for some days (and normally stays away).

[@pigeonsroc]

Thank you for your kind support!

[@antoniorodrigues5176]

You shouldn’t feed them the day before you go on training tosses.

[@stevez7854]

You will find with time that most of these white birds are just not good homing pigeons, take it from experience

[@mindhunter00789]

Seems like white birds attract hawks more then any other color my experence

[@davidcudlip6587]

You need a car with a sun roof.

[@dylanlong2911]

Released white birds in winter miles away? No discussion about other training and multiple direction releases? SMH. Over dramatic video that needs more context in my opinion or this guy needs a different hobby.

[@pigeonsroc]

It was just over a mile away. Second release ever. First one was the same time of day, 20/20 birds returned on first release. This release was a 90 degree change in direction and slightly farther away by .5 miles. I lost over half my flock. Forgive me for trying to create something emotionally evocative when it was hard for me to experience as a new pigeon keeper. The next video after this one provides the context you asked about. I’ll keep this hobby, thanks.

[@jankhoogvliegers7377]

Nice video but never fly pigeons with snow.