My chickens and pigeons are pets and I co0uld not eat them. However they eat a lot of grain which could be scarce if times got very tough becau8se it could feed people and they would grab it first. So my worry is failing my pets. If you live in a city, pigeons are more doable and a mated pair can lay a lot of eggs. They will lay 2 eggs and brood on them. If you steal the eggs promptly they lay two more. I could get 20 eggs a week or more from a 15 x 18' aviary. It gets stressful for them if they don't get a break from laying so fast so eventually you have to let them raise chick's or they wear out. Like chickens, they will eat a lot of other stuff, and like chickens there is a constant production of rich fertilizer that is a chore.
This flock started with rescued pigeons. I built an aviary so they would have room to fly. I definitely would do it differently! but pigeons are smarter than chickens and entertaining. They are dedicated homebodies and once they can find a nesting place and food they won't leave.
My chickens and pigeons are pets and I co0uld not eat them. However they eat a lot of grain which could be scarce if times got very tough becau8se it could feed people and they would grab it first. So my worry is failing my pets. If you live in a city, pigeons are more doable and a mated pair can lay a lot of eggs. They will lay 2 eggs and brood on them. If you steal the eggs promptly they lay two more. I could get 20 eggs a week or more from a 15 x 18' aviary. It gets stressful for them if they don't get a break from laying so fast so eventually you have to let them raise chick's or they wear out. Like chickens, they will eat a lot of other stuff, and like chickens there is a constant production of rich fertilizer that is a chore.
This flock started with rescued pigeons. I built an aviary so they would have room to fly. I definitely would do it differently! but pigeons are smarter than chickens and entertaining. They are dedicated homebodies and once they can find a nesting place and food they won't leave.