Garden fantail doves

Im trying to home a pair of doves to my dovecote. They escaped from the net enclosure, although stayed in the vicinity for several days they didn't revisit the dovecote

I managed to recapture and now hold them in a cage structure adjoined to my dovecote. how long do I need to keep them enclosed for and upon release will they use the dovecote as a home or revert to roosting on adjoining house roofs and only use dovecote for feeding?

Any help or advise would be gratefully appreciated

regards

John:confused:

hi john i kept mine in for 2 weeks but had some since and they been out in 4 dys and been fine too...not much help i no lol ,

I now have to keep my doves in the sock drawer since thieves stole the lead off the roof of the dovecote.

However, they seem to like it there and am now thinking of building an extension for them in the underpants drawer. Hope this helps

If any of you want any doves for your dovecote i have some for sale ,,,cheap

Hi I have just put up a dovecote which will house three pairs I after to put a net around dovecote but that's not a problem at all so now am on the look out for a breading pair one pair or two no problem at all if you have a pair am very much interested I them I live in doncsster my mobile number is 07880865336 look forward to your reply Ian

I dont live in your area. i live just outside of Norwich and i am having real probs with Sparrow Hawks. I found one of my doves dead yesterday and its really upsetting to see them. Last Friday i heard such a bang at my window a Sparrow hawk had flown in to it and dazed it self. Oh how i wish it had killed it self but no such luck it flew off. If i had my way they would all be dead! Ive only got two doves left now and i just could'nt bear them to get killed. Its just not fair to keep them being shut in all day. If anyone can help me i would be very grateful. I just don't understand why Sparrow hawks are protected.

I dont live in your area. i live just outside of Norwich and i am having real probs with Sparrow Hawks. I found one of my doves dead yesterday and its really upsetting to see them. Last Friday i heard such a bang at my window a Sparrow hawk had flown in to it and dazed it self. Oh how i wish it had killed it self but no such luck it flew off. If i had my way they would all be dead! Ive only got two doves left now and i just could'nt bear them to get killed. Its just not fair to keep them being shut in all day. If anyone can help me i would be very grateful. I just don't understand why Sparrow hawks are protected.

I suppose they are not as prolific as other birds so need protection...why not build your doves an aviary that would keep them nice and safe.

Thanks for the advise, but i am getting on in years and the expense is just too much for us. I would love to put them in an aviary. My husband made me a lovely dovecote some years ago but since his heart attack he can't do much now.

Thanks for the advise, but i am getting on in years and the expense is just too much for us. I would love to put them in an aviary. My husband made me a lovely dovecote some years ago but since his heart attack he can't do much now.

I'm sorry to hear that, nature is really lovely but I can understand how its not so nice when nature kills a persons pets

I am due to receive 2 breeding pairs of white doves. I have a dovecote and have constructed 2 homing boxes to attach. Question- do I need to place any materials inside the compartments ie straw or twigs etc? Bob