Pigeons and doves are grain eaters. They need a mixed grain rations with a basic of 12-15% protein. Millet, flax seeds, safflower seeds, oats and groats can also be given. Pigeon grit is very important in pigeon's digestion. Another food option is pellets, then the grit is not necessary since it is included in the pellet diet.

Pigeons that are kept indoors should have a vitamin, mineral supplement with vitamin D3. A mix of oyster shells, salts and minerals and charcoal is essential. Garlic helps boost the immune system.

You can offer your pet vegetables once or twice a week. Cut up carrots, kale and spinach are pigeon and dove favorites.

Your Dove & Pigeon should have water readily available at all times.

Dove & Pigeon droppings should be removed daily and the bottom of the Cage disinfected at least weekly.

Use Gravel Paper already cut to size and made especially for bird cages. This is the cleanest and easiest low maintenance way to go. It will absorb spilled water and droppings.

Once a month you'll want to disinfect the walls of the cage to protect your Dove & Pigeon's health. The Water Dispenser and Feeder Bowl should be rinsed out daily and disinfected weekly. This helps protect against harmful bacteria. Cage Cleaners disinfect and dissolve hard dried-up droppings.

Trim your Dove & Pigeon's nails and beak. Wing clipping is also recommended if you want to limit or eliminate the bird's flying abilities. If you do not feel comfortable trimming or clipping, an avian veterinarian or breeder will do it for a small fee.

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Domesticated doves and pigeons like human contact. They are quiet and peaceful, and make wonderful pets. Most have a pleasant voice. It is generally a 'cooing' sound and most have about 4 or 5 types of calls. The strut of these adorable birds is accompanied with head nodding.

The size of the dove or pigeon determines the size of its home, they must be able to flap their wings without hitting the sides. Small birds like the Diamond dove can be housed in a cage. The medium and larger sized birds will do much better in an aviary. Birds that are allowed free flight will need a dovecote. Keep in mind, many of the small doves have very poor homing instincts and will not do well if released outside.

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Pigeons and doves constitute the family Columbidae within the order Columbiformes, which include some 300 species of near passerine birds. In general parlance the terms "dove" and "pigeon" are used somewhat interchangeably. In ornithological practice, there is a tendency for "dove" to be used for smaller species and "pigeon" for larger ones, but this is in no way consistently applied, and historically the common names for these birds involve a great deal of variation between the term "dove" and "pigeon." This family occurs worldwide, but the greatest variety is in the Indomalaya and Australasia ecozones. The young doves and pigeons are called "squabs."

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