Hello, I am finally getting a few more doves and have heard that some people keep them in a garage or outside. I was woundering if it was ok to keep them in my garage, but I think it will be too cold in the winter. It gets down around zero every once in a wile and I don't want to have my beautiful trained birds freezing to death. also in the summer it gets up around a hundred. What do you guys thinks?

Thanks in advance,
-Aaron

Aaron, this has been discussed many times on the Café. I keep my birds in my garage all year long now. I live in New Jersey and it's not uncommon for the temperature to drop well below 0 in the winter and rise about 100 in the summer. If I know it's going to be exceptionally cold one night, I run a small electric heater near the cages to keep the chill off. Doves are very hardy creatures and as long as there isn't a draft on them, they'll be fine. You just have to check the water supply more often because it wil freeze.

Ok sorry about the repost I tried but couldent find the info I wanted, you hit the nail right on the head though thanks.

I've worried about that too Aaron. Dave has reassured me that doves can take some pretty cold temperatures. I think as long as they are inside a building and out of the draft they'll be fine.

Regan

You can even have them outside as long as there is no draft. There is a limit of course. If the temp is really going to dip, it might be better to bring them indoors unless you can supply a source of heat to the aviary.

Thanks a lot everyone.

Dave,

In reference to the "draft", I know you've mentioned this before, but what exactly do you mean - "a draft"?. Here in Miami, it rarely gets windy, but you mean a strong wind can harm the bird? as in the bird will catch a cold ?

thanks

Jaime

Jaime, basically yes but not a strong wind. A draft would be just a gentle breeze that the doves are directly in line with. An example would be if you had the birds in your garage or shed and there was a window slightly open or a crack where the wind or breeze could enter blowing constantly on the birds. That would be a draft. All they'd need if you had that situation would be a way to stand behind something or an area that would protect them from that breeze.

K thanks Dave.

Depending on the proximity of your neighbors, you'll want to check local zoning laws. Some communities, including homeowner associations, won't allow you to keep "livestock" on your property.