Raina Posted August 12, 2009 Share Posted August 12, 2009 Hello, My mum would love to get a couple Doves one day (maybe 1 - 2 yrs time after reading up on them) We are hoping to get a Large WIR to keep the Chickens in but was wondering, could chickens & Doves live in the same WIR? (There would be plenty of high nest boxes & perches) What are the chances of them giving each other diseases? If not, That's OK as we don't mind buying a separate aviary Sorry if this is in the wrong section Raina. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lewis Posted August 13, 2009 Share Posted August 13, 2009 I'd have a look on the internet about diseases that can affect both, or ask your vet. The chickens could also be aggressive to the doves. If you can have a separate space for them, I would Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cordelia Posted August 13, 2009 Share Posted August 13, 2009 my chickens behave fiendishly to any visiting doves or wood pidgeons that come into our garden .... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Saronne Posted August 13, 2009 Share Posted August 13, 2009 I visited a smallholding in Italy this summer where chickens and doves (and rabbits!) were all kept together in a large walk-in run. The doves appeared to keep out of the chickens' way. It seemed to work. Saronne x Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sparkysmum Posted August 15, 2009 Share Posted August 15, 2009 Hello Raina, I'm sure omlet member Jillus in Fife keeps chickens and doves. It might be worth contacting her about this. Ax Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chook n Boo Mum Posted August 15, 2009 Share Posted August 15, 2009 Hello Raina, I'm sure omlet member Jillus in Fife keeps chickens and doves. It might be worth contacting her about this. Ax Snap, I was about to say this...great minds eh ? Sha x Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Raina Posted August 15, 2009 Author Share Posted August 15, 2009 Thanks everyone. Will try & send her a PM now Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jillus Posted August 15, 2009 Share Posted August 15, 2009 I hope that I can be of help. To my mind keeping doves in a walk in run would be totally impractical and not good for the optimum welfare of the doves. They need to be able to fly free and that is part of the pleasure of keeping them. To see them flying free, tumbling and wheeling through the sky is a wonderful sight. Chickens and doves have different needs and requirements in order to keep them healthy and safe. An ideal set up is a dovecote on a pole. This needs to be at least six feet off the ground to ensure the doves stay safe from cats and dogs and rats. When you first get your doves you should get 6 to 7 week squeakers ( young birds that have not yet flown) and you should 'home' them under a homing net draped over the dove cote. Keep them confined for at least 6 weeks before relasing them to fly free and they should stay with you especially as they are just youngsters. An alternative of course is a purpose built aviary where you can watch your birds but to my mind a bird that can not fly free is a very sad sight. There is quite a lot to dovekeeping and they have special needs and as I have found it is not to be entered into lightly! If you take a look at the earlier posts on my blog you will see some of the many problems that you might encounter. I wish your Mum luck with her idea but she should be aware of all that it entails before embarking on being a dove keeper. Doves breed quite prolifically, I have had 13 babies this year already and am now putting china eggs in the nests to call a halt to it for this year. Doves also have a lifespan of about 15 years as long as disease or the sparrowhawk do not get them first. They require food twice a day as well as scrupulous cote hygiene as they are vulnerable to some nasty illnesses like Ecoli. Good Luck! Jill http://www.moonziedoos.blogspot .com Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Raina Posted August 16, 2009 Author Share Posted August 16, 2009 Cheers Jill Will show my mum this post Thanks again, Raina Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cordelia Posted August 17, 2009 Share Posted August 17, 2009 great advice from Jill...and can i just say, she's explained whats been happening to a lovely high dovecote tht we see every evening on our journey home....we saw the beautiful dovecote..and then later the net appear...and now we know why.. !! thanks (sorry for going off the point..but I just had to say !!) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
