March 9, 2025
by Heather Hohlowski
Comments Off on Listening With All His Senses

Listening With All His Senses

Rev. Robert Ryugen Doshin Yamada

Animal Liberation Temple (Dōbutsu Kaihōji)

Rev. Robert Yamada in his pigeon aviary

A cow named Penelope was the inspiration behind Reverend Robert Yamada’s founding of the Animal Liberation Temple, a refuge for a variety of animals, including four Peking ducks, one Pit Bull, three Sulcata tortoises, two turkeys, one guineafowl, two former lab rats, one Ringneck dove, 31 chickens, and 38 pigeons and doves from Palomacy. Inspired to be a Buddhist at a young age, Rev. Yamada was ordained in 2012. Afterward, he and his fellow monks were told to go out into the world and be of service.

That’s when Robert met Penelope, a cow who was being sent to slaughter. From that moment, Robert knew he wanted to dedicate his life to non-human animals. When Tara and Padme, two chickens who were rescued from a factory farm in Colorado, were brought to him by animal activists, he was determined to give them a home where they wouldn’t be exploited or killed — a place, said Robert, “where autonomy, both spiritually and physically, could be respected.” That place became Animal Liberation Temple, which was founded in Arizona in 2018 and is now located in Martinez, California.

Reverend Yamada gives a tour of the aviary at Animal Liberation Temple — featuring FP!

Robert did not always have such an affinity for animals. The change came in 2005, when his ex-girlfriend asked him to take her dog, which she no longer wanted, to the shelter. He knew this meant the dog might be euthanized: “When I picked her up from my ex-girlfriend’s house, Missy jumped right into my car and on my way to the shelter, I fell in love with her and before I got to the shelter I had decided to care for her for the rest of her life.” Robert eventually worked with a dog trainer to help Missy and his two other dogs get along: “I told the dog trainer I hired that positive reinforcement training was very important to me because I was Buddhist and believed strongly in nonviolence. They said if I still eat animals then I was a hypocrite. I did research that night and saw what happened to non-human animals at the expense of humans. I went vegan overnight.”

Robert lives full-time at Animal Liberation Temple and cares for all the animals himself, which takes about 10 hours each day. The sanctuary offers “teachings, trainings and practices meant to fulfill the religious and spiritual commitments of the human animal parishioners of the ‘Animal Liberation Temple’.” When I asked Robert to elaborate on this, he explained that, “The parishioners are the nonhuman residents here. Human residents can request to become parishioners with the residents.” Robert offers Buddhist teachings upon request, and those who wish to may become ordained through Animal Liberation Temple. He hosts weekly “Sunday Services for Our Dear Animal Friends” every Sunday at 9am PT. People can attend on Facebook Live or YouTube Live.

I asked Robert if he has any favorites among the animal he cares for: “This happens a lot and I have become attached to many of our residents who are now deceased. Right now I feel very close to our first pigeon, FP (Flame Princess). I’m not sure he loves me as much as I love him, but that is OK.”

Given the incredible impact my rescued birds have had on my life, I imagined how many lessons Robert has learned over the years from his parishioners. I asked him to share some of them, and I think his answer holds great insight, offering tangible ways for an individual to change the world around them:

“I started the Animal Liberation Temple with the idea that I would be teaching animals love, compassion, and spirituality through giving them a safe place for them to nurture these innate characteristics that I believe all beings have. I quickly learned that these residents are my teachers. I have learned patience and mutual respect. I learned to listen with all my senses. I learned to love even when I am not loved back. Love is not transactional. Love can be given freely without expectations. I learned that many are hurt and suffering and that we can respond with patience and compassion. I learned that many animals have a much higher spiritual understanding than us silly humans.”

The newest resident/parishioner – Bernard

“The Four Noble Truths (a Buddhist teaching) teach that suffering exists and that there is an answer to end that suffering. I believe that the problem of animal suffering is big, but compassion and love is bigger. The only difference that can be made is made through the individual first. It’s only when we take individual responsibility that we have the ability to inspire others and hence change the world. The single moment you give to others could mean a whole life to another. Daily we can put the needs of others before the desires of self. Open your heart daily and become aware of how we might cause harm to others and avoid those things, and become aware how we can be of service to others and embrace those things.”

To learn more about Animal Liberation Temple and how you can support Robert’s mission, please visit their website or follow them on Instagram.

March 9, 2025
by Heather Hohlowski
Comments Off on Live Market Scrutiny in SF

Live Market Scrutiny in SF

Last month, the San Francisco Commission of Animal Control & Welfare shared its recommendations on ways to address animal cruelty in the city’s live markets. In addition to receiving numerous complaints from residents about the markets’ treatment of animals, the Commission also asked Animal Outlook to present the findings of its investigations into live markets. Animal Outlook is a non-profit animal advocacy organization based in Washington DC and Los Angeles that challenges animal agribusiness.

Their report documented examples of extreme cruelty in live markets nationwide and compelled the Commission to recommend ways to improve the treatment of animals in San Francisco’s live markets. These recommendations include conducting frequent, unannounced inspections of the markets, as well as pursuing animal cruelty charges when warranted. Importantly, the Commission recommends allowing eyewitness testimony, photographs, and videos to be used in issuing citations.

You can read the entire press release here.

March 9, 2025
by Heather Hohlowski
Comments Off on Lessons in Sharing

Lessons in Sharing

Rule #1: Abby’s in Charge.
Rule #2: Abby’s not in charge.

Meet Abby:

Abby is a survivor of the cruel “sport” of pigeon racing. Hungry, tired, and lost, he knew he needed help and wandered into a backyard and walked fearlessly up to a big dog – he knew he needed a human’s kind hand, and the homeowner provided it. He’s been with Palomacy ever since.

I currently foster Abby and his wife, Sprocket (a lucky-to-be-alive Roller pigeon), and I can attest that he is no longer hungry or lost, and he almost never seems tired. He spends a great deal of his time vigilantly guarding the window shelf (as demonstrated above). As soon as these two joined my aviary, that entire window area became off-limits to all but Abby and his wife. Cantaloupe and Paige, and Pidgy and Beanie can only look on with envy at what was once communal ground. As time went on, Abby began expanding his territory, which grew to include the top of every nest box and half of the ramp leading to the window platform.

Needless to say, I was not happy at all with this brazen land grab. But the final straw was when he tried extending his domain to include the very floor of the aviary — where the large food dish is! This I just could not abide, so I set about devising a solution. After seeking guidance from some of my Palomacy peeps, I decided to try building a time-out area for Abby — yes, a sort of pigeon jail… I hated to do it, but I also believed it was unfair for four other pigeons to be stressed during breakfast!

Since Abby and Sprocket maintain two residences — one up in the rafters and one in the lower level of what I call “the Apartments” — I decided the apartment made the most sense for this modification. Using a piece of hardware cloth cut to the size of the nestbox opening, I put pieces of insulation foam along each edge (to prevent any birds getting nicked on the sharp edges) and then held those in place with some yarn wrapped all the way around. The trickiest part was figuring out how to attach it to the box. I didn’t want to put hooks or nails on the front of the box for fear someone would get snagged on them. So I decided to put the hooks in the back wall of the Apartments. Then I attached a small bungie cord to each hook. The hardware square can then be held in place by attaching the other ends of the bungie cords to it.

The Initial Test

Once everything was in place, I went through my normal morning routine of cleaning, filling up water bowls, adding pine needles, looking for eggs, etc. Then it was time to put the food down. I have a small dish on the window walk for Abby and Sprocket, a small dish on a corner platform for Paige and Cantaloupe, and a grass platform for Beanie and Pidgy. That allows everyone to get some food before Abby starts his harassment campaign. One by one, he visits each food dish and chases off the diners. Everyone then heads to the floor to the big dish that, theoretically, is meant for all. As soon as Abby landed and began interfering in everyone’s breakfast, I scooped him up, placed him in his nest box, added a little food, and closed the new door. He was not pleased.

Honestly, everyone was confused at first. Abby most of all, but also Sprocket, who immediately flew to the porch and stared through the bars at her mate. Though also confused, Cantaloupe, Paige, Pidgy and Beanie all quickly made their way to the window walk to enjoy the first leisurely breakfast they’d had in a very long time.

I let everyone enjoy some Abby-free time and the atmosphere had most definitely changed. I hadn’t seen the rest of the gang so relaxed in a quite a while. They looked like they were on vacation. Sprocket remained on the visiting porch throughout Abby’s entire confinement, which lasted approximately 30 minutes.

Once released, Abby flew immediately to his rafter nest and Sprocket rushed to his side for a joyful reunion.

Results

The next day, my morning routine complete, I put the food bowls down and stepped aside to observe. To my great surprise, Abby kept his bossiness in check (although I suspect some of the behavior change was me forcefully staring at him and pointing a finger if he looked like he wanted to start something). The day after that, same story. On day 3, I tried stepping out of the aviary after placing the food down. Abby waited all of five seconds before chasing everyone (except Sprocket) away. I quickly went inside and put Abby back in jail to think about his behavior.

It appears that a half hour every few days is not enough to truly change Abby’s behavior. My plan is to gradually increase the length of his time-outs. Given his quick response to a half hour, I feel fairly confident that eventually we will find the sweet spot where he will really cement the understanding in his brain that he needs to change…

Don’t get the wrong idea — Abby and Sprocket are a lot of fun to have in the aviary. Their devotion to each other is inspiring, as is the way they equally share household duties like nest building and fegg sitting. They also take turns sitting on each other. I think Abby prefers being the chair, but he’ll perch on top of Sprocket if circumstances allow.

Sprocket and Abby are available for adoption, by the way. To fill out an adoption application, click here.

March 9, 2025
by Heather Hohlowski
Comments Off on Palomacy Awarded $10,000 Grant from Summerlee Foundation

Palomacy Awarded $10,000 Grant from Summerlee Foundation

Palomacy is excited to announce that we are the recipient of a $10,000 grant from the Summerlee Foundation, to be used for veterinary expenses for our rescued domestic pigeons and doves. The Foundation, headquartered in Dallas, Texas, provides grants for animal protection and for the preservation of Texas history. The Foundation’s mission includes making grants for two purposes: “To alleviate fear, pain and suffering of animals and to promote animal protection and the prevention of cruelty to animals, and to research, promote and document all facets of Texas History.”

We are so grateful to the Summerlee Foundation for this generous grant and will showcase some of the birds helped with this money over the coming months. To learn more about the Foundation, please visit their website.

February 14, 2025
by Heather Hohlowski
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@TheCooBox

Guest Post by Heather Hohlowski
This Wood pigeon was the inspiration behind @theCooBox, a pigeon-centric Instagram account run by Zoltán, a native of Budapest, Hungary, and a lifelong friend to pigeons. One day, his boyfriend lent him a Canon 400D camera (“with a crappy lens” according to Zoltán) to see if he was into photography or not. Turns out he was. With thousands of feral pigeons in the city squares, and with a natural eye for composition, Zoltán has been posting stunning pigeon portraits on Instagram since 2015. Here are some of my favorites:

According to Zoltán, pigeons do have some fans in Budapest, mostly elderly, who feed the birds in the city squares: “They trust the ones they know but keep a distance from the ones they don’t. Some of the city squares have their local caretakers, who put out water and food regularly. When they arrive, the birds immediately flock to them and follow them around.” He describes one older woman who dresses as a witch and draws runes on the ground before putting the seeds down: “Even the hooded crows follow and trust her.”

Zoltán also found many pigeon fans at MondoCon, a huge annual event celebrating manga, anime, video games, role-playing games, and more. Zoltán photographed many attendees happily posing for him with two pigeon stuffed animals he brought along.

MondoCon attendees strike a pose with Zoltán’s pigeons

Unfortunately, the majority of the people in Budapest (as in so many cities around the world) do not like pigeons. As in many of our own Bay Area cities, pigeon spikes are a frequent sight in downtown areas and around high-traffic commuter hubs: “The majority of the people here do not like them — for reasons we can change if we put in the effort to make the city more pigeon friendly.”

Zoltán has found no local pigeon rescues in Budapest but he hopes to change peoples’ perceptions of pigeons through his photography. If his work can inspire more general interest in their wellbeing, then perhaps some day a rescue organization will develop — maybe Zoltán will start one himself. “I think people should know about the history — why these birds are with us — and take some responsibility and find ways to live together with them.”

See more of Zoltán’s work on Instagram @theCooBox.

February 14, 2025
by Heather Hohlowski
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Dr. Lang’s Flying Nurses

Guest Post by Elizabeth G. Macalaster

Editor’s Note: Palomacy Pigeon & Dove Adoptions appreciates this unique story as part of pigeon history but opposes using pigeons and doves for business, sport, or hobby.

Dr. Charles Lang, a country doctor in upstate New York at the end of the 19th century, had an idea—commission his flock of homing pigeons as nurses!

Practicing rural medicine in the late 1800s and early 1900s was a challenge. Telephones were rare, so house calls were almost daily occurrences. Doctors traveled to a patient by foot, horseback, horse and buggy—and sleigh in the winter. They struggled down poorly maintained roads, sometimes through blinding snow, storms, and floods. Patients lived dozens of miles from a town, and from each other, so if two patients were critically ill, the distance between them made daily visits and staying updated with their progress nearly impossible. That is, until homing pigeons flew in to help.

The use of homing pigeons as a wide-spread method of communication didn’t exist in the United States until the mid-1800s. It didn’t take long for rural physicians throughout the United States to see the value of using homing pigeons to carry critical updates about their patients. Dr. Charles Lang was particularly enthusiastic about his flying nurses. He housed about 20 pigeons in a loft outside his home in Meridian, NY, and always took a few birds with him when he set out on house calls. After a visit, he’d leave a couple of pigeons with the family of each patient about whose condition he wished to be posted. On a tiny piece of paper, a family member wrote records of time, pulse, temperature, and respiration—whatever Dr. Lang needed to know about that particular patient. The note was rolled up tightly and tucked inside the bird’s leg band. Once released, the pigeon sped home to Dr. Lang’s loft.

In this way, Dr. Lang was kept abreast of a patient’s condition. He could return to the house if needed, or stay at his town office if not. He was able to visit patients while feeling sure that when he returned reports on others would be waiting.

Dr. Lang published many articles in medical journals extolling the value of homing pigeons to medical practices and often included stories about his birds’ service. One story described the sudden collapse of a man with severe diphtheria-like symptoms. Dr. Lang had only just left the man’s house where he’d been feeling fine. Fortunately, a couple of pigeons stayed behind. Soon after Dr. Lang reached home, a pigeon landed at his loft with a desperate note from the family. The good doctor hurried back, and eventually, his treatment was successful. But had it not been for the pigeon’s unerring flight, the man might have died.

Another story included a note about young Bessie, who had been suffering from dysentery for weeks. Dr. Lang must have felt not only relief, but gratitude for the work of his couriers.

April 2, 1895, 5 pm
Meridian, New York
Dr. Lang: Bessie has enjoyed the same favorable conditions since your visit. The bowels have not moved since morning (8:30). She has had portions of four cooked eggs, and about the same allowance of beef as usual beside two raw eggs. She was very glad to have grandpa bring his paper and sit in her room after dinner. I wish you could have enjoyed a glimpse of them with me a short time after – grandpa sound asleep, resting after his morning’s work, and the little one cuddled in her bed enjoying her needed rest. She has been quiet since waking, and I feel she is improving every hour. M.C.F.¹

On his next visit to Bessie, Dr. Lang likely brought along one of his pigeons, as the soft, gentle birds always brought smiles to his young patients. Dr. Lang had discovered the magic of pigeons. Much more than high speed communication, they provided comfort and cheer to his patients, and sometimes that was all he could offer.

In his articles, Dr. Lang also described how to care for pigeons and train them, and he emphasized the importance of forming a bond with the birds, believing pigeons were as beneficial to himself as to his patients. He claimed they made him feel fresher and stronger, and thus better able to serve his community. And sometimes they made the difference between life and death.

¹ Maryland Medical Journal, Medicine and Surgery, Vol. 39, June 25, 1898. p. 670

Elizabeth G. Macalaster is the author of “War Pigeons: Winged Couriers in the U.S. Military, 1878-1957”, the first complete accounting of the remarkable service of homing pigeons with American armed forces, from its fledgling beginnings after the Civil War, to the birds’ invaluable role in communications through both world wars and beyond. “War Pigeons” chronicles a poignant and enduring legacy.

February 14, 2025
by Heather Hohlowski
Comments Off on To Love Pigeons in Love

To Love Pigeons in Love

Guest Post by Kyla Iudicello

Sprocket & Abby

Sprocket, a Roller pigeon, stood out easily from the average feral pigeon thanks to her tiny size and all black feathers with white-edged bell bottoms. She was rescued and adopted in 2018. She found love with another black Roller who unfortunately passed away, and in 2021, she returned to Palomacy’s foster care where she met her current husband Abby.

There is rarely a moment in the aviary when these two are not nestled next to each other. In the mornings, Abby will land at their favorite food bowl to scout out the competition. After a few moments, Sprocket will follow tentatively, trusting Abby as an indicator of safety. During the day, you may find them sitting on a high perch, stretching their wings to catch warm sunlight. Every so often, you may hear Abby’s deep coos and discover Sprocket preening him gently in their nest box. In the evening, you may spot their rounded fluffy silhouettes tucked next to each other for the night.

The couple’s unique cuddling methods

The idea that all pigeons are bad nest builders gets tossed around the internet often through photos of eggs laid on doormats accompanied by a few flimsy sticks. Sometimes I laugh with people about this at outreach events since, of course, I have seen my fair share of silly pigeon nests. Abby and Sprocket, however, remind me that pigeons, like us, act uniquely according to their individual personalities. This reminder comes in the form of their absurdly tall nests consisting of layers of hundreds of carefully placed pine needles. At times, their towering creations have even risen to seven inches of pine needle-gathered feather-entanglement. Sprocket may not be able to lay eggs to fill these nests, but Abby’s dedicated construction ensures she rests comfortably atop one or two fake eggs.

A view of the nest fortress

Aside from nest building, there are many ways that pigeons get a bad – and often unfounded – reputation. At outreach events, many people are shocked to learn that, with trust and time, pigeons can be cuddly and affectionate – and that yes, that does mean you can pet them. It is incredibly rewarding to bond with these loving, intelligent birds; feeling a rescued bird embrace the safety and comfort of your arms is unforgettable every single time.

But beyond that, there is nothing as fulfilling as watching two rescued birds, both with their own share of past hardship, find safety and care in each other. I like to imagine that the peace and support they provide each other in every aspect of their daily routine is as healing for them as it is for me.

February 12, 2025
by Heather Hohlowski
Comments Off on Global Giving’s Little x Little 2025 Matching Campaign

Global Giving’s Little x Little 2025 Matching Campaign

Together, we are helping each other to help domestic pigeons and doves who too often are turned away or overlooked. Little by little, we are making a big difference! This year’s Global Giving Little x Little match opportunity begins earlier than usual – March 25th, at 6AM.

All eligible donations up to $50 per unique donor per organization will be matched at 50% during the campaign until funds run out. The $125,000 in matching funds will go fast, so please save the date!

February 11, 2025
by Heather Hohlowski
Comments Off on Project for Awesome 2025

Project for Awesome 2025

Project for Awesome (P4A) is an annual event whose aim is to raise awareness of charities that make the world a better place. It’s sponsored by The Foundation to Decrease World Suck, which, since 2012, has made grants of more than $10 million to dozens of charities. Palomacy hopes to be one of the recipients in 2025!

Each charity’s short video describing its mission is available on www.projectforawesome.com; 30 grants are awarded based votes submitted by the P4A community. Voting begins Tuesday, February 11 at 9am PST and ends at 8:59am PST on Wednesday, February 19.

Please check out our video and consider casting your vote for Palomacy in Project for Awesome 2025! After you click on a video, look for a big red “VOTE” button either next to or below the video. You’ll have to check an “I’m not a robot” box, too. P4A counts one vote per charitable organization per device.

Mobile Users: The VOTE button is ALL THE WAY AT THE BOTTOM OF THE LINK. Please scroll to the “Captcha” box and you will see the VOTE button just below it.

January 21, 2025
by Elizabeth
Comments Off on Eggs & Feggs: Hatch Prevention

Eggs & Feggs: Hatch Prevention

Guest post by Sammy Mikus
(with extra stuff from Elizabeth)

Pigeons lay eggs and then build their nest around them (or not) Photo credit Sammy Mikus

Egg-laying & Fake Eggs

When bonded, a female pigeon will usually lay two eggs approximately every four weeks. Year round. If fertile but not removed and replaced with fakes (feggs), the eggs will hatch in 18 days, and the babies will leave the nest (fledge) at around four weeks which is when the parents stop caring for them and want the youngsters out of their area. Pigeons reach sexual maturity around four to six months which means that, unless every real egg is removed, you’re going to have a lot of pigeons very quickly! Keep in mind that all the offspring will breed, too; yes, a brother-sister (or even a parent-youngster) pair will breed and produce offspring! (All of this applies to doves as well except on a faster time schedule. Dove eggs hatch in 14 days, doves lay two eggs every three weeks and doves mature at about three months old.)

Porcelain fegg, real egg, wooden fegg

Pigeons aren’t spayed or neutered and will bond and lay eggs despite the most challenging conditions. The solution? You must remove and destroy (by freezing or breaking) every real egg at three to five days after they are laid (while cells are still organizing and before the chick is formed). And, to keep your pigeons content, replace them with feggs. You can buy (or make) fake eggs. Feggs don’t fool pigeons and they don’t prevent egg-laying. The feggs just allow pigeons to have the pleasure of nest-building and egg-sitting (both of which they really enjoy) without hatching more pigeons, upsetting the pair’s relationship and/or harming the health of the laying female who will lay more too quickly if her real eggs are just removed without replacements. Leave the feggs until the sitting pigeons lose interest and quit the nest to have a honeymoon week. Always monitor what your pigeons are sitting on! Check what they are sitting on frequently. Pigeons will sometimes lay an extra egg or even two more without ever quitting their feggs. Check nests thoroughly. Pigeons will occasionally bury the real or fake eggs in their nest, so be thorough to make sure you haven’t missed any. Only freezing or boiling or breaking will interrupt the eggs’ development. Eggs that have been refrigerated, shaken (addled), cracked, etc. can still hatch, so best to use feggs.

A real egg has been laid in the nest right beside the fakes. Always know what your pigeons are sitting on and remove every real egg! Photo credit Sammy Mikus

I also strongly recommend replacing suspected infertile eggs, too, since they can sometimes surprise you. If you have a male pigeon (or a pigeon whose gender you aren’t 100% sure of), even if the laying female is bonded to another female or bonded to a person. I’ve seen and heard of many cases of a female pigeon mating with a male she isn’t bonded with. Also, a female pigeon may have a past; she could’ve mated with a male in a previous home over a month ago and still lay fertilized eggs.

Won’t My Pigeons Hate Me?

Pigeons are understandably territorial about their nests and protective of their eggs (or feggs). Most will puff up big, glare, posture, wing whack and even bite your tresspassing hand. (Their courage is impressive. They stand their ground to protect their eggs.) That is all normal and while it will probably hurt your feelings, it won’t hurt you physically. (Pigeons’ beaks and jaws are so weak they are literally called soft bills, unlike parrots who are called hook bills.) Pigeons don’t like it when we check under them to see what they are sitting on and trade their real eggs for fakes but they tolerate it as just another of many strange things that their human friends do. Pigeons are very forgiving and all about the present. While mad in the moment, they’ll resume loving (or learning to love) you when its done.

Will My Pigeons Get Depressed?

No, sitting on fake eggs will not make your pigeons depressed. And it is unsustainable to let them hatch their eggs! They will continue to lay eggs after hatching and raising a clutch, often laying new eggs while the young are still in the nest. Pigeons don’t have to have babies to be happy and fulfilled. They find joy in nesting and being with their mate, but usually don’t have much affection for their offspring after they’re four weeks old.

Pigeon pairs all have their own style of nest-sitting. (Wink & Yuzu by Shae Irving)

What Can Go Wrong?

If pet pigeons are allowed to hatch their eggs, there’s a lot that can go wrong. While many pigeons are great parents, not all of them are. First-time parents in particular often make mistakes. If one or both of the babies end up being abandoned by the parents, the human caretaker will have to step in and raise them. Keep in mind that pigeon hatchlings are very frail and hard to successfully raise, especially for someone who isn’t knowledgeable.

Allowing pet pigeons to breed can also result in the offspring hatching with genetic issues (such as splay leg) that could result in permanent disability and/or an expensive trip to the vet. (See Sugar’s story.) Anyone allowing their pet pigeons to breed should be fully prepared to take the fragile babies to the vet if something goes wrong. And be committed to providing them a safe and happy home for approximately 10+ years. (There isn’t any room for your unwanted pigeons. Every rescuer is beyond full.)

Splay-legged baby homing pigeon Sugar unable to stand

Speaking of the vet, it’s important to know that raising babies is hard on pigeon parents, especially more fragile domestic breeds or birds with disabilities. Feeding, sitting on, and protecting the babies stresses the parents and lowers their immune system, which means it’s easier for them to get sick or have issues with an overload of parasites.

Remember— those cute baby pigeons will grow up and behave like adults in less than 2 months! And they will take up the same amount of space as any other adult pigeon. I’ve heard countless stories of babies growing up to bully their parents. (If you can’t handle another two male pigeons, you definitely shouldn’t be thinking about letting your pigeons hatch their eggs!) Most pigeons lose their attachment to their offspring pretty quick; they will not be able to share a cage with them.

See Sammy’s original post on Instagram

More info:

Video showing how to swap out real eggs for feggs

Download our hatch prevention handout

How to Welcome Pigeons into Your Life

Fake egg sizes

Palomacy Position On Egg-Laying & Reproductive Health:

–Laying eggs IS very high risk for birds

-While parrots are seasonal breeders & usually able to be kept quiescent (non-reproductive) with proper care (shortened hours of daylight, no nesty places, no sexually stimulating touch, etc.), pigeons & doves are very different.

-Hundreds of us have tried many ways & approaches to reduce egg–laying in our pigeons & doves & have found it nearly impossible. (I know of two people who achieved “friend zone” status with their pet pigeons. It is extremely challenging to keep a female pigeon both happy & non-reproductive.)

-Hormone implants that work very effectively in chickens & parrots are far less effective with pigeons & doves.

-Having found it so difficult to prevent pigeons & doves from egg–laying, Palomacy advises proper nutrition & safe exposure to sunlight and/or UV Light for birds for the healthiest possible eggs (reduces layingcomplications) & that adopters replace removed (fertile) real eggs with fake eggs to prolong the nest-sitting phase & reduce egg–laying frequency (while also making pigeons very happy. We even give single male or M/M or non-laying couples fake eggs to enjoy.)

-Proper nutrition requires minerals, especially calcium, not grit. Grit CAN provide minerals & calcium but it is not the only source. (While calcium deficiency is a real problem, we have never seen a “grit deficiency”, rather we have seen many more problems from too much grit rather than not enough.) Palomacy does recommend/agree that if grit is used, it is sprinkled sparingly on their food, not provided all-you-can-eat style.

Olivia said, My egg! (Photo credit Elizabeth Young)