Helpful hints and tips

I thought I'd start a thread to share some cool tricks that help in caring for pigeons.

I save these plastic containers from take out food. I fill them with a 1 day supply of seed. I store the feed in my house so I just grab one container and put it in my supply basket when I go out to my loft to feed and clean. I make about 2 weeks worth of containers at a time. It's handy when I'm mixing feed too.

One of my favorite tricks I've learned is to make food and water containers out of plastic containers. You can make them all sorts of sizes and shapes. I attach them to cages using garden wire. Sandpaper or a file can be used to smooth the edges after cutting.

Here's Muffin with his seed container. It helps cut down on mess.


This one I made from a plastic jug. It helps keep food/grit/etc. clean and dry and to contain spilled food. I use it in my aviary and attach it to the aviary wire with a bungee cord. That way I can easily take it out to clean it.

Thanks for sharing these cool ideas, Jen.
I really like this one.

That is very clever, Jen.

By the way, Muffin is quite handsome.

Thanks you two! Anyone who has some tips they'd like to share please feel free.

Great idea, Jen!

I'd actually seen a picture of one of your no-spill seed containers elsewhere, and it inspired me to try a couple of new designs. I'll post pics in a few days.

Teresa wrote:

Great idea, Jen!

I'd actually seen a picture of one of your no-spill seed containers elsewhere, and it inspired me to try a couple of new designs. I'll post pics in a few days.

We look forward to seeing them Teresa.

Thank you for sharing your tips & pics--they're very helpful! I like the no-spill container ideas. I'm still searching for a good container to cut up for one of my pigeons who loves to spill his food & stand on his feeders (thus knocking them over).
At the moment my mind is completely blank, but bf I can think of any helpful hints, I'll be sure to share in the future.

joyful_pigeon wrote:

Thank you for sharing your tips & pics--they're very helpful! I like the no-spill container ideas. I'm still searching for a good container to cut up for one of my pigeons who loves to spill his food & stand on his feeders (thus knocking them over).
At the moment my mind is completely blank, but bf I can think of any helpful hints, I'll be sure to share in the future.

Hi Joyful Pigeon,
I kind of have the same problem. The seed dishes I use hook on the side of the cages. One of my birds (who is a very large fantail) goes after his food with such force he will literally pull his dish off the side of his cage.
And then he just looks at the seeds that he spilled. Gotta love 'em.
So at least for Beautiful I really like Jen's no spill container idea.

Jen, those are great ideas. I kinda like the one with the hole in the side with the seed in it. That's really cool.

Thanks Jen for sharing these tips. Sounds cool. I too loved the container where you have made a hole..pretty innovative

I currently use plastic bowls that i save after take aways, make a small hole and pass a string through it and tie it to the window grill. My feral flock come on the window ledge and then eat from the bowl. Since my ledge is too small in width, i am wondering if making one of these no spill containers would work for me as i guess only one or two can get in at a time.

Most of my ferals keep slapping each other with their wings for a piece of the pie

But great idea...will think if i can come up with anything and must say Muffin is a handsome pijjie

That's a great idea, priya.

About how many ferals do you have coming to the window to eat?

I often see wing slapping going on while the flocks dines.
Just like kids elbowing each other tyring to get the last cookie on the plate.

I guess around 10 to 15 of them come. There is one that is brown in colour and is not a resident pigeon here. It comes from some other area but it is sharp here at around 12 pm everyday. I feel so happy to see it come and eat everyday....look forward to its arrival daily

I have a feral flock of between 2-3 dozen that come to my backyard to eat, bathe and 'kick back'.
As much as we'd love to, we can't feed them all. But it's sure a great feeling to be able to provide a good meal to some.

And it warms the heart knowing there are many folks, worldwide, that care so deeply .

Fancyfeathers wrote:

I have a feral flock of between 2-3 dozen that come to my backyard to eat, bathe and 'kick back'.

Wow that's great. Happy so many are able to come and eat

Fancyfeathers wrote:

And it warms the heart knowing there are many folks, worldwide, that care so deeply .

Feel the same

Clothes pins make great cage clips!

Jen...I love that idea.

Clothes pins!! Who would have thought?
Jen, that's who.
Great idea. Great 'show and tell' picture too.

I've been thinking of buying some of these for Scooter. I think I will just do that. The clothes pins are a great idea.

Jenaka wrote:

Clothes pins make great cage clips!

Is that the spray millet?

It sure is, Tech.

Here is what I use for food and grit dishes... It's the Twistable plastic Glad containers... I flip them upside down and cut out the bottom circle... I take sandpaper and smooth the edges... Works great~ No more messes.

Now if Only I could potty train them with that same concept ... LOL :That\\\'s so f

We use 5 gal. screw top buckets for our feeders & waterers. My hubby, Jeff, cuts the access hloes with a Roto Zip and then I cut a piece of ply wood that gets screwwd to the top, didn't get one cut for
this feeder yet :Rolling eyes:.

The top screws off to fill feeder & being a plastic makes it easy to scrub clean & disinfect.

Those are pretty nifty, Robin.