Fantail Pigeon info
(often called fantail doves / garden doves)
I only breed a few pet garden fantail pigeons and white garden pigeons, I do not show birds, but regularly get asked about them as I breed doves, so I have put this basic info page up to help you, I am always willing to learn and improve this page with more experienced breeders help.
I occasionally sell fantails and white garden pigeons on behalf of local breeders in the bird club, these are pet birds and I make no statement that they are of show quality
This most unusual breed of pigeon has been in existence for hundreds of years. Over the years the form has been changed and the tail has become larger.
These pigeons are kept as an ornamental feature (garden fantail) or for exhibiting; they become very tame and breed quite readily.
There are three types of fantail pigeon, the garden fantail commonly seen on dovecotes, the exhibition fantail and the Indian fantail.
You do of course often find a cross between all 3 types of fantails and garden pigeons (doves) , which is fine if you just want a nice pet bird for a dovecote or garden.
The exhibition fantail is a cobby little bird with a permanently spread fanlike tail. This is created by the presence of an extra twenty tail feathers. The birds are interesting to look at, they are bred for their looks and do not fly much. In my opinion not suitable for dove cotes.
Indian Fantail
The Indian Fantail
Indian Fantail pigeons are most commonly white with light tan spots, although breeders have introduced more new colours. They have a fan-shaped tail and their feet are covered in feathers. Their average weight is 13 ounces (369 g) and their average length is 11 inches (28 cm). It is interesting to note that the birds walk on their toes. The chest is carried upright so that it is higher than the bird’s head, which rests back on the cushion formed by the tail feathers. in my opinion not suitable for dove cotes
Garden Fantail pigeons suitable for dove cotes, as they fly well and can evade cats, fox’s and dogs , they need minimal care as they can roost and forage for themselves, although you must give food and water daily and clean the dovecote regularly.
white garden pigeons doves
White Garden pigeons (doves).They have been bred to be pleasing to the eye in the garden originally from white racing pigeons, often crossed with a white garden fantail to give some tail feature whilst retaining the homing instinct of the racing bird, Very placid , sociable , easy to maintain, pleasant cooing, bright and alert and nicely white, once trained to your dovecote ,they should stay with you for life. they are suitable for dovecotes
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ADVICE ON HOMING YOUR DOVES TO A DOVECOTE
please print off for your future reference
I regularly get ask for advice on homing doves so I have added this information to assist the new dove owner.Garden + Fantail pigeons are very easy to look after , you will need to home your doves in a suitable dovecote, and they will need your daily attention during the homing period. It is a useful time to get to know your birds and for them to get used to you and the environment around them.
When you get your new doves, they need to become accustomed to their new home and to their surroundings, and to establish themselves as a new colony in your dovecote. This usually takes around six weeks and is called the “homing period”. It involves confining the birds to the dovecote. There are two methods you can use, the homing net , a large net draped over your dovecote to form a tent approx 10m x 12m , hold the edges down with some planks or bricks , the doves can fly around into and out of the dovecote,
Homing net erected over pole cote , secured with bricks
But if you have cats and fox’s then I personally prefer the second method , the homing run. This is a wire cage that you attach to the dovecote approx 3ft x 2 ft x 2ft. It allows access to one nest hole of the dovecote and has a hinged door for feeding and watering the birds during homing. Grit is required by the birds for digestion and it is important that they have access to this while they are confined above the ground, I recommend Pickstone grit available from most good pigeon feed suppliers.
photos of dovecote with homing run attached , courtesy of Martin Longbottom
I recommend you keep your doves in their homing run or net for six weeks , or better still wait till they have a set of young to rear, with either method , it is essential to check your doves twice a day for food and water , this may be a chore if your dovecote is high up , but it must be done. it also lets your doves get accustomed to you.
after the six week homing period of confinement, let only one bird out , so it mate acts as a decoy to attract it back to the dovecote, after it has returned for about a week , swap the birds over and allow the second bird to home to its mate, when you are satisfied both birds are homing to the cote , then you can let both birds out together.
whilst this advice is a tried and tested method for many years by thousands of dove keepers all over the country, I can not guarantee it’s success 100% and you must be aware on very rare occasions some doves will not home, but I have rarely known doves not stay in their new home after the six week period. usually they are not settled because of interference by vermin, cats, fox’s or hawks.
order leg rings with your phone number on ready for your birds release. order the 8mm CLIP ON leg rings with the 8mm leg ring CLIP ON STICKERS with your phone number on. go to
Although I can offer you practical advice on homing your fantail doves/pigeons , I can not be held responsible if your birds do not settle to their new home or do not stay after six weeks confinement to adjust in to their new environs. Please refer to above information for help on homing / settling your birds.
books on fantail pigeons / doves
Keeping Fantail Pigeons (International Pigeon Library) Jacob Barrett
golden cockerel books Pigeons doves and dovecotes ,a good U.K. book on using dovecotes
I recommend all new pigeon / dove owners to visit this site and purchase a basic medicine kit for your birds, they will need medicating at least twice a year , just like a pet cat or dog. I suggest you order a small amount each of , pigeon wormers, pigeon flea powder and spray , picksteen grit pot and a bottle of Coxoid, also Boddy and Ridewood sell everything else you will ever need for your doves/ pigeons needs , by mail order , fast efficient service ,
order their clip on leg rings with your phone number on ready for your birds release. order the 8mm CLIP ON leg rings with the 8mm leg ring CLIP ON STICKERS with your phone number on. if your bird gets lost , it can be returned to you easily. click picture above to go to web site.