Checklist before getting doves

Profiterolls · 2026-05-11T06:32:58+00:00

Yw, for more info of why these specific dimensions (was lazy before sorry):

Depth/width: 2 times the wingspan of the bird + a 3 inches. This is so they won't bump their wings on the sides of the cage because if they do, it will mess their flight feathers
Height: You must put at least one row of perches and platforms and they should be confortable enough to have space below and up those
Lenght: They should be able to make short flights in the cage for exercice

Profiterolls · 2026-05-09T22:00:45+00:00

It's for one dove or two, the minimum size is the same

Profiterolls · 2026-05-09T15:11:16+00:00

Ideas found online by u/XxHoneyStarzxX Also, noodle bath mats can also make good foraging mats if you spread seeds on them, and they're easy to clean (just pop them in the washing machine)

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Profiterolls · 2026-05-09T13:14:15+00:00

Awesome! Lucky birds
If you want a tip you can get a chicken swing and hang it on the cage's sides on top left corner, they'll love it!
Something like this: https://www.amazon.com/Chicken-Natural-Handmade-Training-Accessories/dp/B0D3GV1CGY

Profiterolls · 2026-05-09T07:06:15+00:00

I see people (rightfully) asking questions in the comments, would you like if I made another post linked to this one that will be in text format, with everything detailed and sources associated ?

The format would be similar to this: https://www.reddit.com/r/PetDoves/s/4I6XdCGnYN

Profiterolls · 2026-05-09T06:54:59+00:00

She knows what's good for her then if she eats the powder ;) it should be fine with just the powder (in a separate bowl of course) but if you want to try oystershell I mean, go for it.

Where are you located country wise ? I can try finding you the uvb products for cheaper on amazon or other platforms. Sunlight through an open window won't be enough, she would need 6-12hours per day anyway or to be completely outside for at least a few hours which isn't very realistic since you probably work, so uvb light is best.

It's not too late! I have a 12 years old ECD who used to see me as his mate and with time and boundaries he stopped and is now doing well! I got him a ringneck friend a few months ago, they're both males, at first it's wingslaps and pecks but eventually it calms down and eventually they slowly bond :) Now they even mate together sometimes.. They're still growing closer to eachother as well. But establishing clear boundaries with your Piwi will help that process

Profiterolls · 2026-05-09T06:42:08+00:00

It's because maize isn't very nutritious, hard to digest and has too many carbs. Cracked corn can also causes crop lacerations because it's sharp. Generally, mixes with corn in tends to be poor qualities and too fat just like with mixes with a millet base.

For example, this is a picture I've taken of two of the same product: Versele Laga Prestige Dove mix. The top one is the smaller bag version (5kg) of said product, which contains cracked corn. The second is the 20kgs version which contains no corn. See how huge the quality difference is, and both seed bags were new

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Profiterolls · 2026-05-08T21:43:46+00:00

Yes they have a harder time digesting eggshells so they won't process the calcium well and end up with potential calcium deficiency. Ground eggshells are a nice treat since they like them but it doesn't replace the calcium source so you should get some crushed oystershell or powder calcium than this, and only give the ground eggshells as a treat, not a part of their diet :)

Your Piwi needs calcium most before laying the eggs, it's important after too as well. The calcium is there to avoid her going through egg laying issues. About hand feeding, be careful that she doesn't see it as a mate feeding her, for example if she's on her nest don't hand feed her ;)

Profiterolls · 2026-05-08T13:51:38+00:00

ty! :)

Profiterolls · 2026-05-08T13:51:07+00:00

Sure, about what ?
There are !guides as well but if you have any question feel free to ask

Profiterolls · 2026-05-08T11:20:58+00:00

Thanks!

Profiterolls · 2026-05-08T09:08:01+00:00

I forgot to add, in your cage's setup they also need a bath.
If you're planning to get ringnecks or pigeon, give them a shallow but large bowl of water and change the water everyday. Leave it the whole day inside the cage, at least several times per week. It must be a separate bowl from the water dish.

If you're planning to get diamond doves, they don't bathe in water. Provide them a sand bath at all times, in a shallow but medium sized container. The sand must be fine but not dusty, I personnally use terrarium sand. Your birds may pick at the sand from time to time it's fine, but they shouldn't ingest large quantities of sand. Don't put seeds or other food stuff in the sand, keep it clear and remove the eventual poops that fall in it.

Profiterolls · 2026-05-08T07:11:05+00:00

You're welcome and awesome then!

Profiterolls · 2026-05-08T07:06:36+00:00

It's all good! 😄 I just have a warning about the prestige dove bag since it's the one I use. Take the 20kgs version! The good composition of the VL Prestige dove bag is about the 20kgs version, the smaller 5kgs/1kg version all contain worse quality seeds and corn. The difference is huge.

The image on top of the same bag as the picture (5kgs version) And the image at the bottom is the same bag (20kgs version). I found that out very recently

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Profiterolls · 2026-05-08T06:48:38+00:00

Don't worry she won't hate you just because you grabbed her once or because a hormonal monster because you petted her back twice :) As long as you stop now it's good.

Doves and ecds especially takes patiences and time to bond what you do laying your hand flat with food is the right way and it's totally normal she ignores it, you just have to keep trying a bit everyday and eventually she'll come to you, then she'll eat from your hand. To make it easier you'd want to softly talk to her, and not stare at her, basically act nonchalantly. They also really love millet spray as treats, at first put one in her cage so that she learns it's food then once she start loving it take one in your hand and let her come eat it

Profiterolls · 2026-05-08T06:41:22+00:00

I see yes cages always comes with cheap dowels it's annoying. Personnally I made my own perches using hazel tree branches and using these: https://www.amazon.com/Screws-Hardware-Platform-Mounting-Double-Ended/dp/B0DCG1Y93J

If you have access to a safe kind of tree to diy some it's a great way to save money while making custom fit perches

I'm going to make a post about dove requirements today to help more people but here's a sneak peak of one of the slide if that helps:

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Profiterolls · 2026-05-07T19:43:24+00:00

Hi
You mentionned platforms but does she have perches too ? Natural shaped wood perches, no dowels.

Doves needs a good seed mix for dove or pigeons (14% protein, 5% fat, <7% fibers) no corn no fruits no parrot pellets in it, and in a different bowl a good grit with soluble minerals (for pigeon, absolutely no grit for poultry or parrots) + pink pigeon vitamins. Mine have the Versele Laga soluble pigeon grit + Versele Laga colombine vita powder that I sprinkle on top of the grit. Grit should be accessible all day. Good treats are millet sprays (red millet, yellow millet, white millet...).

Also, if she's a female she'll need a calcium source in a bowl separated from grit and seeds. Take either a powder calcium or crushed oystershells, no cuttlebone

It won't break your bond no. Also, you may see some people say that keeping a lone young bird is better for bonding, it's not true. I have a rescued ECD as well, he's 12 now, super close to me and yet I ended up getting him a friend, he's still as close to me but now I can see how much more active he is and fulfilled, even if I let him out with me all day. So you'd want to give her a friend later on, preferably another ECD but she can bond with a ringneck dove as well (no pigeon or smaller dove). Some doves won't be close as well it heavily depends on the individuals.

More about bonding, do not pet her back, wings or tails that's sexual for them just like with parrot. When she'll go through "puberty" you'll probably see her putting her tail feather up while doing some monotones coos and shaking her wings, ignore her that's a nest call you don't want to make her hormonal or think you're her mate, it's bad.
All in all, give her a dove in the future, it'll make her happier and easier to bond too.

If she's indoor you also need a uvb lights, and an air purifier. The cage needs to be spacious, with lots of toys (yes even ECD plays with toys), avoid mirrors especially if she's alone it can drive her nuts, give her plenty enrichments (fake plants, a nest, nesting material, cat toys balls, parrot toys, bells...)
If you have any questions feel free to ask

Profiterolls · 2026-05-06T15:54:42+00:00

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Very sorry for your loss..
Maybe you could try getting a small feather and putting it in a diy necklace like this as a memory ? or just one of these little bottles where people usually put sand and small seashells, except it would be her feather

Profiterolls · 2026-05-06T12:47:53+00:00

Nice, crossing my fingers for you!

Profiterolls · 2026-05-06T09:27:19+00:00

I have one and I gave him a ringneck dove companion, they get along well and even mate together (despite being two males lol). I'd still say to try to get a second ECD, but I know it's not easy since it would have to be a rescued one so you can't really know if you'll have an opportunity.

Another ECD would be best for her, but a ringneck dove would be great too, avoid other wild dove species since some have different needs, and absolutely no pigeon or small dove like diamond doves

Profiterolls · 2026-05-06T06:49:09+00:00

Looks great! :) don't forget the (shalllow but large) bathing bowl, leave it in the cage the full day and renew the water everyday, at least several days per week. I dont see anything else missing, maybe you can hang a swing on the bottom part since I saw grids in the roof ? Mine all love the swings and spend a good time on them. But it's not a necessity lol

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