theramseyloft

[theramseyloft]

Our Gofund.me has been updated with all the research off of which the Assistance Pigeon Project is based and a more detailed over view of construction plans.

[theramseyloft]

May 6/16/25 9 Weeks Old Feral Blue check Approximate hatch day: 4/14/25

Found 5/19/25 under the Deans Bridge overpass, crashed out hungry straight from the nest.

Quarantine ends today!

Their DNA sample arrived at IQ Bird Testing Facility just this morning.

Ferals are vital to the Assistance Pigeon Project for their supremely sound structure, strong immune system, and high intelligence, so, after discussing the matter with my husband, we have decided to keep them, regardless of their sex.

If May is a cock, then we'll adopt Pants out once the loft is ready for the flock to move into.

Our current aim is to have it ready by January, when the next batch of vaccines for PMV and Paratyphoid will be available for us to purchase.

In the meantime, May will have a harness made and receive training and exercise on it, with the rest of the flock.

[theramseyloft]

I’m new to bird keeping and I was just wondering what type of pigeon you would recommend for a beginner. I’m still in school currently so I’ll be gone about 7 hours a day. Through my research I’ve been recommended a Chinese owl. All the sites I’ve seen say that they’re good for beginners because they’re so docile.

I have not had much luck with docile Chinese Owls, honestly.

Given enough space to evade, once they realize they can, they will try to like their life depends on it!

Though, truthfully, that may simply have been my sources. The sales pens at a bird show aren't exactly a calm, safe feeling environment.

Lucerne are hard to come by and can be expensive, but their temperaments are wonderful.

Mellifex loft specializes in them and theirs are socialized as potential companions from pretty early on.

They also work with American Show Racers, which are much larger, but have a fabulous mellow temperament.

They also rescue, so chances are good they'll be able to help you match what breed will fit your household and circumstances.

Though, if you are going to be away from home most of the time, it might be better to adopt a pair.

They won't be as clingy with you, but you absolutely can make friends and enjoy the company of a married couple with the right temperament.

Good luck!

[theramseyloft]

Hi, I was hoping you could give some reassurance about my ringneck dove.

I have a 21 year old male, Snowbell, that just isn't himself the past year, and I don't know if it's due to age or a sign that something is wrong. Unfortunately, I haven't been able to find any answers with a vet or by looking through pigeon forums.

I've taken him to a couple of different avian vets, he doesnt have any obvious (or slightly less obvious) diseases and no strong signs of arthritis. They all think he's healthy and that the changes in his behavior are due to old age. But they all have limited experience with doves and pigeons and have admitted that I probably know about as much or more than they do when it comes to pigeon care due to how much reading I've done.

I'm hoping you can tell me if what I've noticed is typical for old age or if it points to an underlying health issue. My biggest concerns are that Snowbell has completely stopped coobowing and that he has become much more shy and cautious.

He does seem to still be capable of both the coobow movements and sounds without any signs of pain. He will stick his head down and coo back at me if I coo at him, but he will not do the whole bowing up and down motion, and only coos once or twice.

He does not "laugh" anymore at all and is silent 99% of the day, unless I'm talking to him. He no longer takes an interest in his reflection in the mirror, whereas for most of his life, he would spend what felt like half the day cooing and bowing in front of it.

He used to fearlessly explore every inch of space he could fit himself into, and take any opportunity to fly around the room or land on someone's head, but now he won't even explore the floor of his enclosure and might not come out into the room at all even if I leave the door open for him all day.

A hand reaching in to change his food or water used to be playfully hopped over too and pecked at, now he takes a step back and watches that same hand cautiously.

His eyes seem to be fine. He still targets and correctly lands on perches 3+ ft apart and can maneuver the different levels of his enclosure (His encloser is 3ft wide, 6ft long, and 7ft high. He has a tall shelving unit on one side and large flight cage on the other with 2.5ft of open air between them. He uses the waist height and head height shelves, and hangs out both inside and ontop of the flight cage) .

He looks back at me with bright eyes and does still give the edge of a paper towel or my fingernails a curious nibble. He will come over to nibble at my chin or the corner of my eyes if I put my face next to a perch. He even flies over if he's far away. He still eats fine and hops into his big bowl to take a bath and grooms the normal amount.

But the top of his beak needs trimming every 3months, his legs and feet always look a little dry, and he recently started to always have some visible new feathers that haven't shed their sheath yet. On my last clean, I even found two shed feathers that still had half of their keratin sheath. And the sheath was not as dry and did not come away from the feather as easily as it should for how old it must have been.

He makes sneezing noises if the temperature in the room drops below 70F and after taking a drink of water, and he spends most of the day lounging in one or two spots (not puffed up like he's sick. More loafing like he's relaxed/napping)

The vet had me switch him from a pigeon seed mix to Harrison's pellets 3 years ago (still not sure if that's best, but he never ate all of the seeds in it anyways so I don't know what would be better). His droppings look normal, a very slight green tint, but the vet thinks they look healthy.

He has always lived alone, and there are no other pets in the house or any changes that could be stressing him out.

Im spending the same amount of time with him that I always have, and the only potentially traumatic thing he experienced was falling off a high perch in the middle of the night a few months ago. I no longer let him sleep on that perch, and he hasn't fallen any night since I started making sure he wasn't sleeping there.

Sorry for the long ask. That's everything I can think of that might be relevant. I'm hoping that since you've had multiple old doves and pigeons, you can tell me if I need to travel to an out of state vet with more pigeon experience or if this sounds like typical old age to you?

I am so sorry for having missed this! Tumbr is a little glitchy for me, and I did not get an alert for this ask. I got one for the ask I will answer next.

This level of detail is exactly what I need to be as helpful as possible.

21 is on the very far end of a ringneck cock's lifespan.

I have heard of a few individual birds making it to their 30's, but all but one have been hens.

Most of his symptoms are consistent with old age, but he is showing symptoms of failing eyesight, and his diet needs to change.

Birds that are going blind slowly, but have not lost all of their vision yet, usually can navigate a familiar space on the wing with little apparent trouble.

You can test this by moving one of the perches. Preferably one of the ones outside the enclosure, so there is room to course correct.

The perches in the enclosure should not be used because the place he lives and sleeps needs to be as stable and familiar as possible, especially as they age.

Most of the ingredients in Harrison's pellets are fine. A good wide blend of seeds including legumes for protein, and some great sources of vitamins and minerals.

But they are missing something absolutely vital to the digestive system of a bird in the family Columbidae: The shells.

Most seed eating birds hull the seeds. Finches, parrots, and everything in between.

Doves and pigeons, uniquely, do not. They swallow the seed whole, and the hull is absolutely vital to their gut function.

They depend on it as a cleaning and maintenance mechanism for the inside surface of the intestine, much like chickens need rocks for their gizzards to grind their food effectively.

3 years with out that has very likely effected his ability to absorb nutrients from his food.

Since the pellets have good nutritional value otherwise, you can just add a second dish of a cheap wild finch or parakeet seed blend, or mix a little in with the pellets to give them the hulls.

The first thing you will notice is a change in the consistency of the droppings.

This is what healthy dove poop should look like: a tightly wound ball of mostly plant fiber with a little white urate cap.

Ringneck Doves, descendents of the african collared dove, are desert birds.

They absorb as much liquid from their poop as possible before releasing it, and they do not use wet poop as a defensive projectile they way scared or upset pigeons do.

So the ring of moisture wicked away by a paper towel or puppy pad should not be very wide.

Poop is only green tinged when the biliverdin has not had time to process and turn brown. So there is something irritating the bowels of your bird.

Given that he's otherwise spry for his age and healthy, I don't think it's nearly as likely to be a pathogen as just some inflammation from insufficient fiber.

You'll see the change in his poop first, but he may be a little more interactive and curious again once that irritation is taken care of.

If you need to get my attention more quickly, Gmail is a lot better about alerting me than Tumblr tends to be: theramseyloft@gmail.com

Or you can text 706-993-7452.

Text is easier than verbal for me because of some auditory processing issues. I can be more certain I haven't missed something if I have a detailed text.

Good luck.

[theramseyloft]

May 6/9/25 8 Weeks Old Feral Blue check Aproximate hatch day: 4/14/25

Found 5/19/25, clinging to the concrete partition in the middle of Deans Bridge Rd., under the Bobby Jones overpass. Unable to fly. Too dehydrated and weak to stand. Infested with Long Bodied Feather Lice.

Currently bug and worm free. Developing nicely.

[theramseyloft]

May 6/2/25 7 Weeks Old Feral Blue check Aproximate hatch day: 4/14/25

Found 5/19/25, clinging to the concrete partition in the middle of Deans Bridge Rd., under the Bobby Jones overpass. Unable to fly. Too dehydrated and weak to stand. Infested with Long Bodied Feather Lice.

Currently bug and worm free. Developing nicely.

Since I missed updating last week, I included their 6 week photo too.

We update near daily on TikTok.

So, if you want more frequent updates on May, go follow us there.

Quick update on the building: Dad in Law is in the process of weatherproofing and sealing the new loft.

Backer Rod has been installed. Caulk next.

Then we'll reach out about whether to insulate or run wiring first.

The Gofund.me is still up and running.

You can check that out here:

Thank you!

[theramseyloft]

May 5/19/25 5 Weeks Old Feral Blue check Aproximate hatch day: 4/14/25

Found 5/19/25, clinging to the concrete partition in the middle of Deans Bridge Rd., under the Bobby Jones overpass. Unable to fly. Too dehydrated and weak to stand. Infested with Long Bodied Feather Lice.

Self feeding.

As stated in the post about finding them, I was not looking for new intake.

I just happened to be lucky enough to have a spare cage and space in the bathroom attached to, and separated from the rest of the house by the guest bedroom.

For more frequent updates on May, check out our tiktok: https://www.tiktok.com/@theramseyloft

[theramseyloft]

Repair Updates!

Dad in Law is back from his visit to family. ^v^

So I met him at Lowes today to pick up Backer Rod and caulk to seal up the 10x12 in preparation for spray foam insulation to be installed.

They did not have a large enough size of Backer Rod, so, after purchasing all the caulk we were going to need, Dad and I parted ways.

Ace Hardware did have it in the thickness we needed!

I got 40 feet!

Next time Dad has time, we will get the caulking gun and seal up those seams where the light comes through.

On the way home, though, I saw something in the middle of a busy road, under an over pass, sticking out of the concrete barrier between the lanes going in different directions.

It was dark, and looked alive, so I turned around to double check.

Sure enough, clinging to the concrete, circled by a terrified parent, with no means to get itself away from the traffic...

Was this peep.

About 5 weeks old.

Empty crop, sharp keel, skin that tents if you pinch it.

Though healthy over all, with no broken bones or feather damage, the peep was just too hungry and dehydrated to get themself off the ground and out of harms way.

And the roar of traffic on either side and over head had us both shaken.

You can see they way they are standing: leaning on the wall and supporting part of their weight with their tail feathers.

They were not able to stand up unsupported, presenting very similarly to a homer that's crashed out hungry.

Nothing broken.

Just lacking the strength to stand.

I was not planning to take any one in, but I couldn't leave the peep where it was.

And, thank God, I have one empty hospital cage, and one room where no other birds can reach, where it will fit in one spot on the floor: The guest room's bathroom.

Not ideal...

But if I can't find some one who can foster them safely, it's better than dying in traffic.

The Gofund.me has already earned enough to at least *start* getting the loft ready.

I'm hopeful that the following steps will be easier to get through.

Thank you again, everyone who has supported us through

Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/c/TheRamseyLoft,

Cash App: $PigeonMother , and

Gofund.me: https://www.gofundme.com/f/support-ankhous-legacy-the-assistance-pigeon-project-loft

I am deeply grateful.

[theramseyloft]

It's been a long, dry month for loft repair updates.

And it looks like it's going to continue to be for a while.

Contractors in the area are *still* backed up with the truthfully more important work of home repairs and clean up from Helene, and I'm having a hell of a time finding anyone free to to any of the work I need done.

I don't want to half ass any of it through ignorance and inexperience, but yesterday was the one year anniversary of our family's move, and the sooner I can get this done, the better for the flock's well being and my own.

I have finally started a go fund me to continue the Assistance Pigeon Project.

Things are tight for everyone, I know.

Don't worry if you can't help financially. Sharing this around to get eyes on it very much is still helping.

Thank you so much for your support.

[theramseyloft]

Cheeto 3/18/25 4 Years Old Feral Blue dark check cock Aprox. DOB: 3/18/21 Self Rescue Adopted from Little Indiana Loft Arrived 8/18/21 Failed therapy prospect. Permanent house pet

[theramseyloft]

Construction Update

We finally got the buildings moved here in mid January, but we are still paying off the credit card we had to use to move them, so we have not been able to take any further steps towards setting them up to move the flock into.

For the moment, we are prioritizing the larger building which will be the new breeding loft, and I am in talks with a contractor to work out the list of steps and estimate the cost of each as we come to them.

Here is the 10 x 12 ft Crescent building.

Swept out and ready to begin construction.

The outside will need to be carefully sealed. There are several places at the floor and ceiling where daylight can be clearly seen.

The contractor said we may qualify for spray foam insulation.

More 2x4 framing is needed after that.

Then the wiring for extra outlets we'll need for the vent fan and climate control will go in.

Once wiring is done, FRP will go up on the walls and ceiling.

Then LVP flooring.

Other than furniture, the inside will then be ready to house the flock, and all I will need before they move in is enough concrete pavers and a sturdy enough frame for hardware cloth that I can safely open the door to the building without risking an escape.

Eventually, I would like to have a full covered front and side patio, enclosed in a combination of chain link, hardware cloth, and mosquito netting.

But the house we live in still doesn't have central climate control or even ground wiring, so we have to focus on bare essentials right now.

Last year, my dear Husband took an unexpected paycut, just after we moved into the house.

And just after we relocated the buildings and were able to stop paying rent at the house where we used to live, our mortgage payments went up by almost $200 a month.

Saving isn't nearly as easy as it was when we lived in the trailer park, so things are moving agonizingly slowly.

I know things are hard for everyone.

So I'm so grateful for what my wonderful supporters already do via Patreon.

$74.50 of the monthly donations averaging $93.00-$99.00 go to our monthly 0rder of 100lbs of Verselle-Laga classic blend.

What ever is left over is presently being saved towards vaccines and other meds we keep on hand that can be administered in house.

Dear Hubby suggested I set up a Go Fund Me to get the loft and quarantine building ready for use sooner, and I am leaning strongly towards doing that.

I just don't know how that works, and would like to look into it carefully before I do.

Eventually, along with setting up the quarantine building, I would like to set up an aviary for rescue birds, to minimize exposure risks and social issues for my breeding flock.

But I will have to take some time to seriously consider how intake is managed, so I can avoid biting off more than I can chew.

Lots to think about.

Thank you all for your support.

As there are updates, I will pass them on.

[theramseyloft]

Titan 2/28/25 3 Years Old CO-RH-ODC-STRH x Lucerne/ASR Pied Blue Bar Sired by Bruce out of Ibis 2/28/22 Bred by The Ramsey Loft PMV Vaccine administered 6/20/24 Paratyphoid Vaccine administered 6/20/24 Brood Hen Mated to Serket

Assets: Very upright, comfortable structure. Parents have an excellent brooding history. Friendliest hen in the loft.

Flaws: Way heavier than I would like the end result to be.

[theramseyloft]

Hey when do hens stop laying eggs or start to slowy lay a few? because the information i look up says different things, like pigeons who are 6 stop laying eggs while i heard other say from their own experience a lil later or their hens just stop laying eggs frequently.😭😭😭 i'm a lil confused cause my hen will be turning 6 in a few months.

That depends largely on the breed and blood line, but most fit, structurally sound hens, if comfortably housed, fed the proper diet, and feel over all safe and secure, continue to lay well into their late teens.

Six to ten or so is just when they tend to stop chain laying one clutch immediately after the next, and maybe wait between an extra week or two to a month between clutches.

Happy early birthday to her!

[theramseyloft]

you are the best blog i have ever seen i love you

This is so sweet, I honestly don't know how to respond.

thank you so much.

[theramseyloft]

Hello! My name is Heather and I am interested in perhaps adopting a pair of ringneck doves. I seem to remember from several years ago that you used to breed and rescue doves - is this still the case, or are you now just focusing on pigeons? Either way, would you be open to emailing with me to talk about the specifics of owning doves? I am currently in the research process and want to make sure I can give them a good home. Thanks! 🕊️

I do exclusively work with pigeons now, and have not been able to accept new rescue intake since 2022. That said, ringneck doves are super simple to care for, and I'd be happy to walk you through set up and basic care, and see if we can find a rescue to link you with when you are ready.

[theramseyloft]

Hey hey, I saw a reblog on my own blog 3 years ago and I have 2 questions, one more important than the other;

First, I was curious if the pigeon that was rescued and had to be driven to be handed over to you who was malnourished with a bad eye and bad wing ever made it.

And second and more importantly; I have naturally wild pigeons where I live (not feral. Specifically African Speckled pigeons). A while ago one of them had some string caught around its leg. I don't know if they ever got rid of it or if I just never saw them again. But I had no idea how I could begin to try and catch him to remove it. All the online advice were like "Cup the pigeon with your hands so it can't fly away" but this seemed almost impossible? I don't nearly have reflexes fast enough to try and grab a bird, even if I did these guys are way bigger than my hands trying to grab it, ESPECIALLY one handed like the advice suggested.

I also had a dove a while ago with a clearly injured wing I could never get close enough to since they wouldn't even be on my balcony if I came out.

I would love to try and help these animals to some degree but I just don't know what I could do if I were to see one of the pigeons needing help with string again. A vet a block away from us said they will help pigeons but for me to actually get my hands on one seems impossible :( and we don't have services that catch pigeons here.

I'm so sorry this took so long for me to get to.

February has alternately been busy and intensely depressing, so I haven't really been online beyond hanging out with a few close friends over discord.

Were you asking about Passenger?

Sadly, she is currently on her way to GLPR. Her adopter's living situation changed and she could not bring her. I had hoped I would be able to welcome her back by now, but that sadly has not worked out, and I trust GLPR to have her best interests at heart and find her and her adopted sibling a good forever home.

Genuinely wild pigeons like the African Spectacled would have to be trapped, if they're flighted and able to evade.

Feral domestic pigeons lose their fear of humans easily if food is involved, because they are both domesticated and desperate.

Wild species have not lost that natural fear and can't be caught the same way.

To set one up, I would suggest making a simple wooden frame work that a bob trap can be attached to.

A bob trap like this could even be attached to a box or crate, and set over seed, if you know where this wild bird forages.

That's honestly the best advice I can suggest, unfortunately.

Good luck!

[theramseyloft]

Patreon.com/pigeonsformiles

Times are hard for everyone, but the pigeon rescue community is really having a time of it.

Pigeons for Miles is a rescue and special needs sanctuary in Upstate NY, which was just awarded Non Profit status!

They hope to build aviaries for people who want to rescue pigeons, and roof top dove cotes for the ferals.

Please consider joining their patreon and supporting them!