Arty, I agree with Leigh - those pigeons you posted gave me a laugh - little old ladies!

Q: if you get a fancy Pigeon - as a pet - is it best to get them young [how young?] or does it matter? They have to stay caged? They'll just fly away?

The Royal Winter Fair happens around here in Oct/Nov & they'll have tons of show animals of all kinds on display. I know they have ducks & chickens & geese - bet they have Pigeons.

One can not free fly fancy pigeons, they can't home, not well enough to free fly, you can cage them and keep them indoors just as a parrot, best to buy a baby.
Arty

Does this mean the pigeon in my care will not be able to fly free?? I am so disappointed. I would love to see him fly free....

I have SO much to learn about Pigeons.

Once a pigeon has been raised in a loft and free flown, they can't be re-trained, many have tried including myself, the bird you have Deb will have to remain in the in-flight.
once they learn there surroundings they will always stay in that area, once lost...they will always search for there loft.
I have many pigeons here I can not free fly...they have been preprogrammed and will take off as soon as I let them out of the loft, but if they mate and breed, there babies can be trained...
Sorry Deb, your little one can not be free flown...
Arty

Arty-
I've been meaning to ask you...What else can I feed my little piggie ? When I cut up fresh fruits & veggies can the piggie have some ? And how about table food ? And IYO do your pigeons/doves get grit ? I have been giving it to the piggie but wasnt sure what you thought about it...

The Dove and Pigeon forum is a meca of information, I encourage you to do some searching and reading, all there is to know about the pigeon is here..
Pigeons eat the seed whole, so either Parakeet Grit and or oyster shell grit will need to be offered, I use Oyster shell grit, this helps with the calcium.
If your bird ever becomes ill and you need to treat with antibiotics, take the oyster shell grit away while treating the bird, any calcium will deter the medicine, as well as remove any bath tubs of water, most antibiotics are either injectable or oral, so you will want to remove all water sources but one.
My Pigeons enjoy peas, cracked corn, you can offer your bird fresh veggies and fruits, however if they don't eat it then remove it asap...
Viatamin B12 is reccomended, more so after treating with any medication, a bird on a 5 day, 7 day 12 day perscription should be offered B12 vitamins, this is a must to help build the birds resistance level back up.
Always change the water daily.
Kaytee Dove & Pigeon mix is the best seed, this is what I use here.
A tablespoon of Borax added to there bath water will keep all creepies at bay and brighten the feathers.
Pigeons like a 4 inch flat surface to perch on, This also helps in the winter time, the bird will lay down on there little feet to keep them warm.
Arty

*Starts reading*Thank you Arty

Oh I love that one that's white with the black head, beautiful!!!

Arty, if you get an adult pigeon do they tame down easily or does it take a long time to gain their trust? They are just such amazing beautiful birds that in the future I really would love to have one as a pet.

Hi Deb76,
Cassie & Deb have new friends, (found Pigeons), there relationship will grow.
However the bird will always take off if free flown, this I can say for sure.
I kept afew birds here that were either former Racers or Loft birds, a year later I opened the loft thinking they would stay put, away they went.
Then I spoke to others that kept Pigeons and heard the same thing, they will always fly away trying to find there original loft (home).
Folks that swamp and or sell Pigeons always clip the wings of birds they have bought, to assure they stay put, this is why some people report finding lost Pigeons that have there wings clipped..
So if ya want a loyal bird of peace, that can be free flown, you will need to find a baby that has never been free flown...
Arty

Thanks Arty that answered my question perfectly as I was curious if they would leave you or not if you didn't raise them up as babies and now I know I guess in the future I will just have to look for a baby to raise up and love and free fly Thanks again