utility Pigeons/Doves

[Nellie]

I used to trap a regular supply of feral pigeons at a grain processors for dog training. I did keep them confined as if they are kept short of food for a day or so, they will disappear to find their own. But there's no reason why you couldn't cross them with a more desirable variety. Home bred birds would probably stick around like homing pigeons unless given a reason to move.

Incidentally, doo cots were once common around the country and probably where the original doos came from. (a) to supply fresh meat (as you want), but also (b) to provide dung which I think is an essential ingredient of gunpowder (?). Also for shooting (precourser to 'clay pigeons') and food for hawks kept for killing wild game.
The going rate is about £2 per live bird.

Thank you for the advice & information. I think that is the way i will go. In the best case scenario i would end up with an occasional squab & a bunch of healthy happy birds doing their own thing as instinct has thought them whilst providing some nitrogen rich guano for my veggie plot & in the worst case there would be a few pigeons who would be either going native or maybe heading back to keep the catchers in work. Worth the punt for twenty quid or so & i will no doubt learn many things in the process.

 

[Exfarmer]

Thank you for the advice & information. I think that is the way i will go. In the best case scenario i would end up with an occasional squab & a bunch of healthy happy birds doing their own thing as instinct has thought them whilst providing some nitrogen rich guano for my veggie plot & in the worst case there would be a few pigeons who would be either going native or maybe heading back to keep the catchers in work. Worth the punt for twenty quid or so & i will no doubt learn many things in the process.

You do realise that their first and favourite port of call , will be your veggie plot!