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JoshRyan Regular user Kitchener, ON, Canda 123 Posts |
I currently have a pair of bonded male and female ringneck doves. I recently purchased a second pair of bonded male and female ringneck doves. I've read that it's difficult to introduce new doves and that the males can be territorial and fight for dominance. I built a small aviary in my basement and was hoping to house them altogether. I am unable to find any resources online providing instructions about introducing new doves to each other. I currently have each pair in separate cages and the cages are side-by-side. I figure they need some time just to adjust to the new surroundings, so I will leave them like that for 4 to 6 weeks. Any suggestions very much appreciated.
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Bill Hegbli Eternal Order Fort Wayne, Indiana 22797 Posts |
You will just have to use trial and error, to see if they can get along. If they start fighting, you will have to separate them, as they will peck each other and get infected.
If you have them in a basement, I hope you have widows, birds need sunlight, or they will get sick. I hope you have checked your basement for radon as well. A bird or a couple need at lest 2 foot by 2 foot cage to live in so they will not get in the way of each other. So if you put them together, you will need a cage at least 4 foot by 4 foot to put them in the same cage. This is minimum sizes, you can build bigger. Also have a dehumidifier in the basement for dampness, and monitor the humidity. I just wanted to mention all this for other considering putting a cage in their basement. |
Dave Scribner Assistant Manager Lake Hopatcong, NJ 4849 Posts |
At one time, I had 31 birds in my basement. I used one corner of the room. Two solid walls and one with a window. I built a frame with 1x3 lumber and put a door in the center. Cover the frame work with chicken wire. The "room" was 6' deep, 12' across and 7' tall. The birds were a mix of male and female and by placing perches at several locations and heights, they all got along just fine most of the time. The biggest problem was the dander. It was a full time job keeping the dust cleaned up, even with an exhaust fan built into the window.
Male doves can live together as long as they each have their own space.
Where the magic begins
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JoshRyan Regular user Kitchener, ON, Canda 123 Posts |
Bill: Yes, it'll have to be trial and error. My cages do meet those minimum specs and there are large windows in the basement.
Dave: It makes sense that the doves would have an easier time getting along given more space. The cage you had sounds great, I've had thoughts of building something that size. The hardest part will be convincing my wife. |
Dick Oslund Inner circle 8357 Posts |
Easy to solve THAT, Five! Just get a nicer cage for your wife! (hee hee)
SNEAKY, UNDERHANDED, DEVIOUS,& SURREPTITIOUS ITINERANT MOUNTEBANK
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Dave Scribner Assistant Manager Lake Hopatcong, NJ 4849 Posts |
Quote:
On Aug 18, 2015, Dick Oslund wrote: Good one Dick. Five, regardless of whether you build an aviary or just use a few cages, remember that doves send off dander, a dust that is next to impossible to clean up. If you use damp or wet cloths, you will generate white mud. Dry dusters just spread the dander. You must keep on top of it everyday. That is why I had to dismantle my aviary in the basement and go with cages in my garage. My wife just couldn't breathe because of her asthma.
Where the magic begins
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Dick Oslund Inner circle 8357 Posts |
Thanks Dave!
For an old geezer, I do (occasionally!) come up with a zinger! I never had more than three doves, so, while the dander was a problem, living in a motor home, it, obviously was much more with your "family".
SNEAKY, UNDERHANDED, DEVIOUS,& SURREPTITIOUS ITINERANT MOUNTEBANK
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