How long do Homer Pigeons live?
Racing Homers commonly live 10-15 years with good care and safe housing.
What do Homer Pigeons eat?
Feed a balanced pigeon grain mix plus pigeon pellet, with grit and calcium always available; avoid avocado and chocolate. Fresh water and a bath daily. Athletes in training need added protein, vitamins, and electrolytes; restrict treats.
Homer Pigeon housing and daily life
Keep in a loft with perches, nest boxes, and a secure flypen allowing free flight; allow several cubic feet per bird and strong predator protection (cats, hawks, rats). Good ventilation and dry, regularly cleaned bedding prevent respiratory and parasitic disease. They need daily exercise flights.
Common mistakes with Homer Pigeons
Common errors are no grit/calcium (egg-binding, weak bones), damp or poorly ventilated lofts (respiratory disease), and no flight exercise (obesity, muscle loss). Nonstick-fume exposure and toxic foods are acute risks.
Beginner mistakes to avoid
- No grit and calcium, causing egg-binding and weak bones.
- Damp, poorly ventilated loft, leading to respiratory disease.
- No daily flight exercise, causing obesity and muscle loss.
- Exposing birds to nonstick (Teflon/PTFE) fumes or toxic foods like avocado and chocolate.