Pigeon nest boxes have emerged as a replica of how our pigeons would live in nature. Domestic pigeons are descendants of the Blue Rock Pigeon; these pigeons normally lived in flocks and nested together in caves and holes in cliff faces. Our pigeons today still retain that cave instinct and therefore we provide modern equivalents for them, in the form of pigeon nest boxes.

Nest boxes for pigeons should be spacious and well ventilated, with plenty of light. Unlike most birds, the pigeon does not need total isolation when nesting and in fact prefers to settle when other pairs breed nearby. The size of the pigeon nest boxes should be proportional to the breed.

As a beginner’s guide, a box of the following dimensions is ideal for pigeon nest boxes:

The total length of each box should be about 24 inches, the height about 18 inches, and the depth about 17 inches. This size of pigeon nest boxes gives enough space for parent pigeons and their future offspring. If the boxes are built in sections, then they can become a permanent fixture in the loft.

However, if you want each of the pigeon nest boxes to be a separate unit, you have the added advantage that they can be easily removed for cleaning and fumigation. Also, if you are short on space, you can remove them and give your birds more space when they are not breeding.

Each of the pigeon nest boxes must be equipped with a suitable front that allows the birds some privacy, as well as preventing other birds from entering and interfering with the pair or the young.

It is recommended that you provide a small shelf, about seven to eight inches from the floor of the box, on which to place the nest bowl. This provides additional protection for the chicks when they first leave the nest.

The number of nests in the loft depends on the number of pigeons you have. At a minimum, you should have one nest for each pair of mated birds, although ideally two boxes for each mated pair, as this avoids disputes between territorial roosters.

Boxes should be kept closed when not in use as some old roosters will try to create a box empire on their own! Given the opportunity, these dominant males will claim all the boxes and try to prevent newcomers from using them.

Newly mated pairs must be kept and fed in their boxes for several days before they are allowed to enter the loft. It is best to return them to their nest box by hand every night for a week to ten days afterward, to make sure they are well established. Allowing pigeons to select their own boxes generally results in many fights, broken eggs, and injured youngsters.

Above all, pigeon nest boxes should be comfortable for your pigeons, as the happier they are in them, the happier they will be putting them.