New pigeon coop

[CoolHandLukeGSP]

Just built my first pigeon coop and thought I would post a pic of it and a few of its new residents.

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[RichK]

Looks good. Now the count down begins until you build a larger one!

[ezzy333]

You are going to hate the fronts on the nest boxes when it comes time to clean them which is quite often when the birds are nesting. And you need a roof cover such as shingles or rolled roofing. Otherwise it looks really nice for a few birds.

Ezzy

[drw10]

one thing might help is to put a landing broad on, they may go in better. if you don't want it there all the time put it on hinges

[BellaSpinone]

Looks good. I had trouble with shingles blowing off, went to a metal roof. I use Foy's auto Waterer filling from 5 gal bucket, And built my own feeder. I also added a door to the sun deck making it easier to catch pigeons. I have mine on 4x4 skids which allows me to move it with tractor.

[CoolHandLukeGSP]

The nesting boxes slide in and out so cleaning will not be chore. I also have shingles and paint to put on it next weekend. There is also a landing platform on the front, it is just folded up in the picture.

[ezzy333]

you did good

[natel24]

did you build this off of your own plans? and how much did it cost in material. I'm getting ready to build one next weekend. thanks.

[DonF]

Very nice!

[AZ Brittany Guy]

Nice Job!

[V-John]

I didnt see it, but I would build a door in front of your bobs, very similar to a drawbridge that castles had. That way the birds have something to land on, and you can build a settling cage and set it on there. Also you can lock it up so predators can't get in. I had left our door open, and a hawk flew into the loft. Killed one of our better hens.

Edit. It looked like there was some wire in front of it?
Couldn't quite tell.
Shingles would help it last much longer, or something up there to protect the plywood, but that's your call.
But it sure looks good!

[donne]

Good job. Looks like a "Scott's" design. I built one just about like it, only yours looks a lot nicer. I used OSB and painted the outside.

I put the aviary on the back side and the trap above it. The nest boxes are on the left inside and perches on the right. I have 17 never flown young birds in there right now. the plans I have say it should hold 8 pair. I need to start flying them soon, if the winter hawks ever leave. Get yourself some 8" clay flower pot saucers for the birds to nest in.

RichK is right. You're going to need a bigger one too. I was thinking about a "double wide" next.

[Minneguy]

Do you guys ever get weasels in the coops? They were always heck on our chickens

[RichK]

Do you guys ever get weasels in the coops? They were always heck on our chickens

Yes, I had a few strike this fall. They took the heads off of 4-5 during late fall/early winter.

[Minneguy]

RichK I'm sorry to hear that, were they homing pigeons? The best thing we ever did was get a weasel box built. Couldn't beat it, because they use to strike at 3-4 in the morning when it would be hard to stay up and shoot them.

[RichK]

RichK I'm sorry to hear that, were they homing pigeons? The best thing we ever did was get a weasel box built. Couldn't beat it, because they use to strike at 3-4 in the morning when it would be hard to stay up and shoot them.

The new loft I'm building will be weasel proof. I've had terrible luck with the pigeons over the winter. Between weasels, hawks, and neighbor's cats I've lost 22 of my 25.

[Minneguy]

Sheesh! That's really bad. I suppose there will always be lost, but 22 of 25 is ridiculous

[RichK]

Sheesh! That's really bad. I suppose there will always be lost, but 22 of 25 is ridiculous

The problem I was having is that after I would let them free fly, they would often hang around on the ground. Once on the ground they are easy targets for cats.

They are inexpensive and replaceable but it still sucks losing birds that are strong flyers.

[CCBIRDDOGMAN]

I built a 4x4 x 7' tall coop last summer, put six adult birds in it & now have a total of 17 in it (thats after one adult died & two of my young birds took off & didn't come back) I even let out my adults this weekend that haven't been out since I got them in August, they came back & went right into the trap door. Like others said, you will be wanting a bigger one soon, I already do & I'm just now to the point that I will be taking them down the road for the first time in a couple of weeks (want to give them some more loft flying time so they can learn their surroundings).

[CoolHandLukeGSP]

did you build this off of your own plans? and how much did it cost in material. I'm getting ready to build one next weekend. thanks.

It is a Scott's plan and the lumber cost me $246.00. It took me the better part of a day to build. If you want the plans I would be willing to scan them and email them to you if you want. Just PM me.