pigeon trap

[NEPISIGUIT]

I origionaly made a pigeon trap that has worked quite good in the past. that trap is now set and i caught 22 pigeons in it. now they are reluctant to enter Why? the lumber i used in this trap is quite weathered. I mentioned this because of my next question. I have been asked to set another trap at a new location. I made this second trap with new wood. It has been set up for at least three weeks. The birds refuse to enter. Is it possible that this new wood is scareing them and should be painted? I am running out of options ie. moving trap around, different baits. open doors, etc. There are about 25 birds here feeding close to a bird feeder. #1 TRAP IS ON A ROOF. #2 TRAP IS ON A LAWN. Any suggestions would be appreciated.

[northof50]

On the roof they have a security fealing and walk around , court etc.
On the lawn they are eating and going, back to ledges etc.
food for pigeons can be a 10 mile flight, so it has to be good for them to come to.
new wood vs old wood no different, size of trap sould be 8 ft by 8 feet.
Find a dog club close by; cause live pigeons usually go for 3 $, dead for retrivers $ 1.
If it snow 6 inchs and the trap is set you will catch every last one, but I hear you are gettting + 31c tommorrow.

[NEPISIGUIT]

Yes north 50 I am aware of what you are saying. But. ? pigeons are all around the cage feeding, even standing on top of them. But will not go in. Feeding a mixture of oyster shells crushed and whole corn, The fact is I have had no trouble getting them to enter my cages in the past. My cage is not as big as the one you mention as it would be very difficult to get up on a roof. Mine is about 5 feetx 3 feet x 12 inches. Thanks for your comments anyway.

[northof50]

You need the height of the cages so some hop up on cross bars, the 12 inches is not enough head space. Bolt them into sections, then they fit in truck to move. Prop up the door flippers so some come and go, then the whole crowd moves in at once.

[NEPISIGUIT]

doors are proped open now.food is being eaten just inside the door, 1/2 body inside cage then backing out. good point about bolting in sections, Your comments make good sense. Thanks for your help nep.

[NEPISIGUIT]

Forgot to ask but how much headspace is recommended?

[northof50]

Chicken wire comes in 3 or 4 foot lengths, stapled on 2 by 2 s. Make your own door flippers, use 1/8 steel rod, bent and currled several times with two down rods one inch appart, with washers spacing, 12 inches wide doors.sorry no pics.
Are the pigeons sitting on telephone wires ? If they are then racoons are raiding their nesting sites and they will be just as nervous as scottish sheep on payday. Move to day old bread for bait.

[NEPISIGUIT]

Yes they are sitting on telephone wires or on the peak of a nearby roof and comming in to feed near a bird feeder and picking up seed on the ground.Am i right in raising my trap height to three or four feet. I found a picture of a commercial trap and it looks about that height. Got you on the steel doors but mine are 3/8 hardwood dowels. Most of these birds roost on a large dome roof where sand and salt is stored by the Dept. of Transport. But cannot trap there. Not far from there is where my problem is. A day care center for young children. and its roof is where many pigeons are, Lots of droppings on the ground and a very unsanitary place for small tots to play. Birds move from place to place of the areas mentioned above. I am working at it. Thanks

[trapperjoemo]

I`ve only trapped pigeons on a flat roof. I have a small trap too. Only about 10" tall by 30X36". I put bird seed mix in and a little outside the trap. I also keep a small water bowl inside. I only catch a few at a time, but did greatly diminish that local flock two years ago.
My instructions said to keep the trap up on a roof for best results.

Joe

[NEPISIGUIT]

BELIEVE YOU jOE. tHAT IS WHERE MY BEST RESULTS HAVE BEEN ALSO Thanks. Nep.