So, something got inside my dove cage the other night and killed my doves. I am now completely depressed, as I had been working with that pair for over a year. What really gets me, is that those two were my buddies. I know this topic is pointless, but it still is depressing.

No it's not pointless. It doesn't seem like it right now but getting your feelings out about the doves does really help. I've lost a few doves in my career and it's somthing you never get used to.

We had that problem too, but our dove lived. Try wrapping chicken wire around the cage. That'll keep the critters out.

JIM

Wow, I'm so sorry to hear about your doves... I too have lost doves to preditors. Many times it's a neighborhood cat or depending on where you live could be a weasel. I've lost a few doves to weasels in the past, they're small enough to "weasel" their way into small openings. If the dove was decapatated then it was probably a larger animal who couldn't get in the cage and just used its paw to kill it and then try to eat it through the cage. If it was totally mauled then what ever it was got inside the cage. I've lost doves to both kinds of preditors. Like Dave said, its never something you get used to. Please accept my condolences...

Peter Austin

Don't forget about snakes, in which case you'll need to figure out a way to snake-proof your cage, which could be a bit of work.

You guys are lucky you can keep your birds outdoors. Try living in Toronto.

Anyhow I'm sorry about your doves. They're in a better place now.

That is a real shame to hear, Hope you are felling better.

Sorry to hear this. You have my sympathy. I almost lost my rabbits to a black bear once. I don't really know how to "bear-proof" my rabbit hutches. I am just praying it doesn't happen again.

Regan

My feelings go out to you, I am very sorry

Regan- lol my rabbit hutches are bear proof it's funny you should say that. there also lion proof and Tiger proof. No joke!

Sorry to hear this. Been there, it's not fun at all.

Please tell us more about what happened, it just might help the rest of us. Raising awareness of this sort of thing, and how to prevent it, is a good thing.