Here are some basic how

Here are some basic how-to's when it comes to our Pigeons. We will go step by step with illustrations.

*How to band a baby Pigeon*

This is approximately the right age to band a baby Pigeon. If you band too soon, the band can fall off. If you wait too long, the band will not go on the bird.	Step 1 Slip the band over the front three toes. Make sure all three front toes are through the band.	Step 2 Continue sliding the band over the ball of the foot towards the back of the foot.	Step 3 Slide the band back over the back toe. Make sure you don't push the band over or past the birds' knee.

TIP: If you band a pigeon with the band upside down, it is much easier to read the band number when you are holding the bird.	Step 4 Gently pull the back toe through the band so the band is on the leg above the foot with all 4 toes free. NOTE: The above illustration was done on a clean-legged Pigeon. Muffed breeds will be banded similarly, but you must be extra careful so you don't damage or break the feathers on the legs and toes.
How to Vaccinate a Pigeon NOTE: The illustration below is demonstrated on a young Pigeon in the back of the neck. You can also vaccinate in the skin between the thigh and the body. We have not seen vaccination done this way so we cannot demonstrate that procedure at this time. Although the age at which you vaccinate may differ from ours, the procedure is the same on any age of Pigeon. We vaccinate ALL of our young birds as we wean them from the parents.

Step 1 Gently and securely hold the Pigeon so that it cannot hurt itself during a struggle. Make sure the wings are folded against the body. Gently pull back some of the feathers at the base of the neck so you can see the bare skin.	Step 2 Still holding the feathers revealing the bare skin, either with a spray bottle or cotton swab wet the exposed skin with rubbing alcohol. Just enough to get it wet is sufficient.	Step 3 Gently pull up the skin so you have a "pocket".	Step 4 Insert the needle and dispense the vaccine in the "pocket" you just made. After that, remove the needle and return the bird to the loft.
*How to give a Pigeon a pill*

	Step 1 Gently open the beak allowing enough room for the pill to be given.	Step 2 Drop the pill into the birds mouth. You may gently want to push the pill towards the back of the throat so the bird does not spit it back out.