Types of pigeon cage
There are several types of pigeon cages to cater to different needs, whether for pet pigeons, breeding, showing, or racing. Each type of cage is designed to provide the necessary environment for the pigeon's health, comfort, and purpose of keeping.
Indoor Cages
Indoor pigeon cages are designed for keeping pigeons inside the house. These cages are usually smaller and are meant for keeping pet pigeons or for showing purposes. These cages include:
- Small and manageable, specifically designed for indoor settings.
- Made from sturdy materials, often wire or metal, with a plastic base for easy cleaning.
- Features include perches, small tied up for later, feeding trays, and water containers.
- Small cages made for confinement only, lack room for exercise.
Outdoor Aviaries
These cages are large structures meant for outdoor use. They provide more space for pigeons to fly and are suitable for breeding or keeping a large number of pigeons. These cages include:
- Spacious cages suitable for keeping a large number of pigeons.
- Provide a controlled environment for breeding or keeping a variety of pigeon breeds.
- Made from durable materials to withstand outdoor conditions, often with a wire mesh structure.
- Allows pigeons to have more room to exercise and live a more natural life.
Loft Cages
Loft cages are designed for racing pigeons. They are built for durability and functionality, providing a space for racing pigeons to live. These cages include:
- Designed specifically for racing pigeons, focusing on their needs and behavior.
- Usually simple wooden or metal structures, often elevated to protect from predators.
- Laid out with individual compartments or small lofts for each pigeon to nest and rest.
- Essential for keeping racing pigeons, offering a space for training and rest before races.
Showing Cages
Showing cages are used for exhibition purposes. They allow judges and spectators to see the pigeons up close. These cages include:
- Compact cages used primarily for exhibitions and shows.
- Usually small, allowing only minimal movement, but designed to showcase the beauty of each bird.
- Made from lightweight materials, often with a metal frame and wire for visibility.
- Provides basic amenities like perches and feeders; however, not intended for long-term housing.
Breeding Cages
As the name suggests, breeding cages are specifically designed to house breeding pairs of pigeons. These cages have nest boxes and are usually smaller, as they are meant for the breeding process. These cages include:
- Small, typically housing one male and one female pigeon, promoting breeding activities.
- Includes nest boxes or nesting areas where pigeons can lay eggs and raise their young.
- Features separating bars or dividers to keep different pairs apart if necessary.
- Construction materials are usually metal or a combination of wood and wire for strength and warmth.
Durability & Materials of pigeon cage
When choosing the right pigeon cage, durability and material considerations are very important. You have to consider how much the cage will cost you when putting the pigeons inside, how much it will cost you to maintain it, and how long the cage will last you.
Wire Construction
- Wire cages are usually made of galvanized or stainless steel wire.
- Wire cages have a good level of ventilation, which makes them ideal for outdoor usage.
- Wire cages are hard to enter for pigeons and weather elements such as predators.
- The wire used can be sharp, which can cause injury to the pigeons, so care must be taken when using it.
Wooden Cages
- Wooden cages have a rustic look and provide a warm habitat.
- Wooden cages are good for indoor usage as they are difficult to destroy and portable.
- They can be used for pigeons used in racing, pets, and breeding because they are hard to penetrate for pigeons.
- These cages also need more maintenance work than others [they are prone to rot, and they also have to be washed regularly].
Metal & Plastic Bases
- Plastic or metal bases are used in pigeon cages to give the floor more support and prevent it from breaking easily.
- Plastic bases are easier to clean and lighter, but they are cheaper and likely to have pigeon poop all over the place.
- Metal bases are more durable, but they are not rot-proof and can be hard to clean if not maintained well.
Coated Wire
- Coated wire is usually a coated layer of PVC over the metal wire for pigeon cages.
- It has high corrosion resistance due to the PVC coating. This is ideal for outdoor areas.
- The coating makes the wire thicker, which can be less uncomfortable for birds than thin, sharp wires.
- Coated wires have a shorter lifespan than stainless steel because it may wear off over time.
Scenarios of pigeon cage
Pigeon cages are designed in various styles and sizes to accommodate different needs and purposes. Depending on how pigeons will be kept and the goals of their care, the choice of cage can significantly affect their health, behaviour, and well-being. Below are scenarios where different types of pigeon cages are best suited.
Indoor Environments
- A small indoor cage, like a pigeon cage for sale, is ideal for keeping pigeons in apartments or homes where outdoor space is not available.
- Indoor potted plants are designed to prevent pigeons from flying around; they can use perches, food and water containers, and other amenities to help them stay active and healthy.
- Indoor pigeon cages are easier to maintain and prevent pigeons from being exposed to harsh weather conditions.
- They are usually small, so the pigeons will have to be let out from time to time, so it is easy to keep pigeons as pets indoors.
- These cages are small enough that the pigeons will not be able to fly around. They are only made for the birds to stay temporarily before being set free for exercise.
Breeding and Raising Young
- For breeding pigeons and raising the young ones, breeding cages are needed.
- These cages have nest boxes and other features that enable a male and female pigeon to mate and have babies.
- When the babies are grown to a certain age, they can be moved to other cages or bigger spaces.
- These cages only have space for one male and one female; they are ideal for couples.
- Breeding cages are smaller because the couple will not need as much space while the female is pregnant.
Exhibitions and Shows
- Show cages are used in exhibitions where judges and observers need to see the beauty and qualities of each breed.
- Show cages are designed to be portable, lightweight, and easy to transport to various events. They are not hard to penetrate, either.
- Pigeons should only be kept in a show cage for a short while; after the event or show is over, they need to be moved to a more spacious environment for their health and wellbeing.
Outdoor Aviaries & Aviaries
- Outdoor aviaries are big enough for pigeons to fly, exercise, and live a natural lifestyle.
- They can be used for pet pigeons, conservation projects, or educational purposes, where a number of pigeons are kept in a controlled setting.
- Outdoor pigeon cage kits are big enough to keep a number of pigeons, easy to build, and designed for people without any construction experience. Galvanized steel wire makes them suitable for outdoor use.
Racing and Performance Pigeons
- Loft cages are designed especially for racing pigeons, giving them space to rest and prepare for the race.
- The cages are tough and stable, with a roof on top of them so that the pigeons won't have to worry about predators.
- These cages help the racing pigeons develop strong muscles and keep them healthy, ready for upcoming races. The pigeons learn how to find their way home and become very good at racing from the cage to the place where the food is kept.
- As long as the pigeons are healthy and the lofts are well kept, they can be used for an extended period of time.
How To Choose pigeon cage
Choosing the right Pigeon cage depends on a number of factors, including the space available, the type of pigeons to be kept, and personal preferences. Outdoor pigeon cages are typically larger, while indoor pigeon cages for pets are compact. A few proximity-related considerations that should be kept in mind when choosing a pigeon cage include the following.
Size
- Consider how much space will be allocated for the cage. This will allow the pigeons to fly and exercise, which is good for their health. Pigeons need more room to fly around.
- For bigger breeds, go for bigger cages. These cages have a horizontal bar that the pigeons will use to exercise by flying from one end of the cage to the other. Space them apart no more than 0.5 inches.
- The cage should be at least three times the size of the pigeon at its full height and five times its length in width.
Material
- Pigeon cages can be made of different materials, each of which has its own advantages and disadvantages.
- A wooden pigeon cage provides warmth for the pigeons and is difficult for everyone to penetrate, making it ideal for indoor use. However, the cages require a lot of maintenance work, which is not ideal for everyone.
- Wire cages are the best option for outdoor space because they are tough, make little space, and provide good ventilation.
- While heavy metal cages are extremely tough and portable, light plastic cages are good for people on the go, but they are unlikely to outlast the former.
Type of Cage
- Based on the purposes of keeping pigeons, pigeon cages are ideal for every situation.
- Pigeon loft cages are designed specifically for racing pigeons, providing them with a secure environment for rest and training. Pigeon lofts are small breeding cages where they can breed and raise their young.
- Indoor pigeon cages are perfect as pets for those who live in apartments. The size of the cage can be proportionate to the available indoor space.
- Outdoor pigeon aviaries are the best housing solution if a large number of pigeons need to be kept for commercial or agricultural purposes.
Ease of Maintenance
- Maintenance of Pigeon cages is another factor to consider when choosing one.
- A pigeon loft is considered the easiest to clean of all the pigeon cages. Cleaning is done by wiping the surface with a damp cloth.
- Wire cages may be difficult to access sometimes, but cleaning them is fairly easy with a simple detergent.
- Wooden cages are usually more difficult to maintain and more expensive.
Q&A
Q1. Is it good to keep pigeons in cages?
Keeping pigeons in cages is very appropriate as long as the cage is big enough for the pigeons and there is good airflow in the cage. The caged pigeons are secure from harmful effects such as predators. While some people prefer pigeons to be free, caged pigeons can be healthier and safer, offering a controlled environment for better care.
Q2. What cages are best for pigeons?
The best cages for pigeons are the pigeon lofts that provide enough horizontal space for flying, made of sturdy materials like wire or wood, and ensuring good ventilation. For outdoor pigeons, an aviary is the best option because it is big enough for them to fly around. Indoors, indoor pigeon cages can be used as pets.
Q3. How do I protect my pigeon cage from predators?
To prevent predators from entering or attacking a pigeon cage, use wire mesh with small openings as a predator cage. Build a roof to cover the entire area and construct the cage using tough materials such as wood, metal, or even a plywood base. Inside the cage, provide hiding spots for the pigeons.
Q4. How long do pigeon cages last?
The longevity of a pigeon cage depends on the material used in the construction. Metal cages last the longest, galvanized steel and stainless steel taking at least several years before they start to wear off. Wooden cages also take a time period of several years but require more maintenance to avoid rot. Cages made of coated wire have a life span of 2 to 3 years.
Q5. Do pigeons need a heat source in the winter?
Pigeons do not need any heat sources in the winter as they are made to handle cold weather as long as they are provided shelter from the wind, rain, and snow. The best way to provide warmth is by using a pigeon loft and giving the pigeons some bedding materials to snuggle in.
