Suitable housing for pigeons is pretty simple and affordable compared to other bird species like parrots! There are a few key details to ensure the cage is suitable for a pigeon, and we’ll go over them all in this guide, as well as list a few optional ideas that can provide fun and enrichment. Take a look at #pigeon-housing-examples in the CPC Discord for more inspiration!
Minimum recommended cage size is 7200 square centimeters / 1116 square inches of floor space. This guideline implies that your pigeon gets at least a few hours of out-of-cage time a day. If your pigeon spends most of their time in the cage, you may need more space; if your pigeon has free rein over a room and only goes into the cage to sleep and eat, it’s okay to have less. Example cage dimensions: 120cm x 60cm (42in x 28in).
Favor floor space over vertical space. Pigeons like to spend a lot of their time on the ground and can’t climb cage bars like parrots can, so you won’t get the same usage out of a tall cage. Making sure you prioritize length and width rather than height when picking out a cage for a pigeon is crucial.
<aside> 🐦 You can make good use of extra vertical space by placing perches and platforms on different levels. Make sure your pigeon still has enough space to comfortably stretch and flap their wings!
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Depending on what is available in your area, there are several popular options for buying or building a cage, none of them specific to pigeons:
Large dog crates. Typically available in pet stores. The size you need would usually be labeled XL or XXL (42” length), check the dimensions and make sure the size matches the recommended size in the previous section.
C&C shelving grids. Sometimes also called grid cages or wire grid/cube storage. Great option as it’s essentially cage lego: the panels are reusable and expandable without having to buy a completely new cage every time. Those are sold in both pet stores and furniture stores because they double as storage shelf kits. Assuming 14” panels, 2x3x2 (or 2x3x3 if you want more vertical space) is enough for a comfortable cage.
Catios. Usually much larger than the recommended minimum, but a fantastic option if you have the space. Catios are usually very sturdy and come with shelves and ledges, which is a great bonus.
<aside> 🐦 Only use store-bought catios as indoor cages for pigeons! Most catios that can be used outdoors for cats cannot be used outdoors for pigeons: unlike cats, pigeons are small prey animals who cannot protect themselves.
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To make sure the cage is easy to clean, lining is commonly used on the floor and sometimes on other levels and surfaces as well. You should fully replace the lining when it gets too dirty or if it gets torn; if you get into a habit of picking up dried poop and miscellaneous dirt from the floor on a daily basis, lining will last much longer.
Newspaper is a cheap and easy lining choice but it doesn’t hold spilled liquid or runny poop especially well; butcher paper works too. Puppy pads (or human bed/hospital pads) are thicker, cleaner, and a lot more practical, although can be expensive if you replace them often. You can also use washable cloth as a more eco-conscious—and cheaper since it’s not disposable—option.
<aside> ❗ If you use puppy pads as lining, replace them immediately if they get torn! They pose a tangle hazard and can really hurt your bird. Make sure to check hard-to-reach spots like behind the bowls.
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You will need bowls for food, water, and grit, as well as a larger bowl or container for baths.
A dog or cat bowl—or any kind of bowl, really—would also make a decent pigeon bowl. Your pigeon will be knocking the bowl over frequently, so pick it accordingly: it should ideally have a heavy, wide base.
No-spill bowls (bowls with a large rim that curves towards the center) are the best choice for food bowls: pigeons don’t just peck at seeds, they also make very sharp sweeping motions that tend to throw seeds around, and no-spill bowls prevent the mess to some extent. Using spoon rests as food bowls is also popular for this very reason.
Unglazed terracotta bowls have an added benefit of keeping your pigeon’s beak in shape, and they are a popular choice for grit. Just don’t use them for water!
Favor platforms over round perches. Pigeons don’t have the same dexterity in their toes parrots do, so round perches and thin sticks will hurt their feet to grip long-term. The pigeon’s ancestor is naturally a cliff nester, living on rock ledges. When picking perches for a pigeon focus on platforms, ledges, and square perches as these will be most comfortable for the bird! Pet hammocks also work and can be quite fun.
Some round or natural branch perches can still be provided for enrichment and variety if desired, although branches can be very hard to clean. Thick rope perches meant for large parrots are a popular choice for pigeons, as long as you also provide other options.
Large platforms and shelves also provide extra floor space for placing other items, such as toys or nests, so having them in your cage is recommended!
<aside> 🧱 Pigeons love bricks for perching! Head to your local hardware store and pick up a couple for your bird. Bricks also help file their nails so they’re not as sharp.
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Nests are essential! Unlike with parrots, providing a nesting space will not lead to reproductive issues for your pigeon. In contrast, not providing a safe nest site will lead to reproductive problems. Being domesticated, female pigeons frequently lay eggs and require this need to be met. Corner rabbit pans, plush cat and dog beds, large dog bowls, and plush small animal huts all make great nests for pigeons.
Aside from providing nesting space, you should also provide materials to build a nest out of. Straw, hay, cake pop sticks, or even q-tips could all make good nesting materials; use your imagination! You can also cut up toilet paper, paper towel rolls or newspapers. Crinkle paper from packaging works as well.
