I would like to keep a pair of frillbacks in my dovecote and need to know if they are able to fly to the roof of my house or not.
I recently got a couple of Jacobins. One was absolutly fine and flew to the roof but the other one cant make it all the way up which has caused me problems. I dont want to get myself into the same situation again.
Thanks
Jon

Welcome to the forum Pig.

I personally am not sure of the answer to your question but I'm sure there will be someone along soon who can help you.

Welcome Jon.

I hate to admit it but I don't know the answer to this one and even though I googled it, could not find a definite answer. You can find pictures, show standards, etc., but it is never mentioned whether they can fly.

As Lindi said, I'm sure one of our members who knows the answer will be along to help you with this question.

Linda

Thanks for the quick responses and the welcome.
If i do end up having to find out the hard way then I will be looking for a bird with very few feathers around the feet as i assume that may help?

Im not to sure about frillbacks either.
I do believe that they are not that good at flying.

Finally found something!

Gladys, thank you for going the extra mile and getting us a definite answer!

Linda

Wow, what a fantastic forum.
Thank you for giving me such a definative answer. I dont really have a problem with predators at them min so they should be ok.

Next challenge! Find 2 white frillbacks that suit my needs. (in the UK)

Yes...thank you very much Gladys for emailing Gary to get to the bottom of things. I wasn't sure myself if frillbacks could fly, but my instincts said "no". Ed, that is a great site for UK members for birds for sale, I think I'll add it to the others in the pinned topic under Pigeons for Sale That link you provided though, points to fantail pigeons however, not frillbacks.

Gladys Chardon wrote:Hi Pig, I'm glad you found the information useful. God luck with finding the birds you want. It would be nice to know a little more about you and your pets. Hopefully you will remain with us and continue posting and updating us on your feathered activities..

Forgive my curiosity, I'm intrigued by your handle. Why "pig"?

Best wishes, Gladys

Hi Gladys,

I'm sure "pig" will be along to answer, but I have a feeling that unless Jon is really into the "oink oinks," Pig is short for pigeon....many people abbreviate this way.

Personally, I prefer "Pij" (plural: "pijies") which gives a different "pronounciation" and will not be confused with our 4-legged bigger friends...

Love and Hugs
Shi

A quick break down of me then. Pig is a nic name I have had for years. My real name is Jon and I am 24 years old.
I started collecting pigeons/doves a couple of years ago. The 1st 4 exhibition fantails would have been fine but as one couldnt fly the birds decided to think they were chicken and 3 of the 4 got killed and the last one left thankfully.
I then started again with normal white doves and they have been extremelly sucessfull. I have now filled my first dovecote and have a 12 home one ready to go up. I recently purchased 2 garden fantails who were young and they have had 2 empty eggs and are now on there second pair. Im very excited about these 2.
Then i bought a pair of Jacobins from bird trader, the birds were not in the condition described or expected but they are loved anyway I have had big problems with the Jacs as i didnt realise they would be such bad flyers and quite so innappropriate for a dovecote. I have one flying all the way to the roof and the other is half way there and spends the majority of her time on the food table. I have trimmed her head, tail and flight feathers to try to help.
Next step is the frillbacks...cant wait
Here are some pics of my birds.
http://s98.photobucket.com/albums/l275/pig_supra/Doves/

What happened to the poor dove?

The ring collared dove (Ringo) has been with me for a month now as the dog found him very young in the garden with with a broken wing and tail feathers ripped out. (I assume some kind of animal attacted him) He is due for release soon, keep your fingers crossed for him.
Real name is Jonathan and therefore Jon. So many people put the h in that it doesnt bother me anymore.
As for Pig........its Pig as in the animal. Was named after Piglet from whinnie the poo.
The jacs are settling very well now, no supprise that they stayed with the food. Fingers crossed they will learn to get themselves to bed in the dovecote rather than me having to do it every night.

Brad wrote:Yes...thank you very much Gladys for emailing Gary to get to the bottom of things. I wasn't sure myself if frillbacks could fly, but my instincts said "no". Ed, that is a great site for UK members for birds for sale, I think I'll add it to the others in the pinned topic under Pigeons for Sale That link you provided though, points to fantail pigeons however, not frillbacks.

DOH!!!!
Thats what happens when you rush LOL
Sorry about that.

wow dovecote of my dreams! Did you build it or purchase it?

I purchased it.
The small one was from cherry tree dove cotes which was great but very expensive.

I recently purchased this one
http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Large-Octagonal-Dovecote-Dove-cote-Bird-House_W0QQitemZ150402356105QQcmdZViewItemQQptZUK_Home_Garden_Garden_Plants_Bird_Bath_Feeder_CV?hash=item2304add389
and can highly recommend it. The one in the picture is actually the one in my garden.

Not a lot of money for what you get.

Please dont try fancy pigeons in a dovecote, it doesnt work. Stick to garden fantails.
Jon