Ok, I think I'm ready to purchase my first set of doves;BUT....i had a question..i have an 11 month old daughter who is not allergic to anything, but I know that pet dander is bad for babies and I couldn't get an iguana yet because of some bacteria issues with reptiles...anyway, are doves harmful to babies,,,yeah we could perform for children but we don't live with them...hope I'm making sense.

Posted: Sep 12, 2007 4:55pm
Correction: "we could perform for children"

Well,i don't think this would be a problem as long as you keep the doves' cages clean. Give them mist baths and keep em healthy with the right food. Babies are very sensitive as their immune systems are not as strong as ours but I really don't think it'll affect your lil angel. Keep the doves outside, in the basement and away from your tiny tot if it bothers you alot. Hope this helps.

Kyle is correct. One bird should not be a problem as long as you don't keep it in the same room with the baby. If you can keep it outside or in a garage, all the better.

If it helps your feelings, my wife is a physician and performs dove magic for and with children. Doves are relatively clean compared to humans. Baths help us all! LOL

The dust from the dove feed is easily avoided or controlled if you will pour the feed from the bag it comes in into a container outdoors and let the wind blow the dust away as it is poured.

In a lifetime of exposure, my kids (22 and 25) are surviving well. My son is playing baseball at age 25 and my daughter is dancing for a Colorado Ballet Company and a leading professional horse trainer. Both have very good lungs.

Your concern is impressive. As a lobbyist for children, I like parents who care.

Enjoy your kids and your dove magic.

Bob Sanders
Magic By Sander

Thanks for the feedback fellas,,,i appreciate it.

Posted: Sep 13, 2007 2:08pm
I now live in Idaho and I don't think the cold will be good for the dove. Am I right? And I also heard that if you put a dark blanket over the cage the dove will stop cooing.

As long as the water doesn't freeze so they can't drink, they should do OK.

Like chickens, doves go to sleep in the dark.

Bob Sanders
Magic By Sander

You'll want to make sure the dove is protected from any wind, too. Just like for humans, wind plus cold is much worse than just cold.

The temperature here in New Jersey drops below zero in the winter with snow and the doves are just fine. As Gordon pointed out though, you must keep them out of drafts and the wind. Darkness is usually quiet time for doves but it's not unusual for my birds to coo during the night. You can never be completely sure. Doves are the craziest people you know.

You right about new jersey, I lived for the 10 years,,miss it dearly. I'm glad to hear that the doves won't harm my daughter and that I can keep my doves in the garage...

If it gets extremely cold where you are and you have them in your garage, you could set up a lamp just outside the cage. It's amazing how much heat comes from a light bulb and it's just enough to keep the chill off. You will still have to check the water for freezing though.

Welcome to the world of Dove magic my friend. The members here are sure to make your experience meaningful. Still owe many thanks to Autumn Morning star and Dave. Thanks guys!

My pleasure, Kyle. Glad I can help