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magiciandex New user White Pine, Tennessee 80 Posts |
Can you purchase doves at a normal pet shop, or do you have to go through a dove dealer?
IBM Ring 58
Winter Carnival Of Magic |
Father Photius Grammar Host El Paso, TX (Formerly Amarillo) 17161 Posts |
Some pet shops carry white doves, your best bet is to look around for a local pidgeon /dove breeder, people who keep them for hobbies. When I worked with doves, I found that younger ones worked best for me, and was able to work out a deal with a local hobbiest who let me trade in my doves for younger ones from time to time. The never ending dove supply, same can be done for rabbits with a lot of hobbiest rabbit raisers. Had one rabbit supplier who was into show rabbits, and literally gave me his "culls", nice rabbits that just didn't have perfect show markings, and gladly took them back to sell as hydes and meat and exhcanged them for younger ones as they grew into monster rabbits that would not work in my act. Ask around if there is a local "show" club for such things. They often have shows at county fairs, and the local club will set you up with any number of dove raisers who will let you have their "culls" for little or nothing. Just be prepared to work with them every day, what it takes to get a bird used to the act and be gentle enough for it.
"Now here's the man with the 25 cent hands, that two bit magician..."
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Mr. Muggle Special user 999 Posts |
If you get a dove from a pet shop it will most likely be a white ring neck. I seen prices average about $25 for a single bird- which isn't bad (they can live for up to 20+ years). Ask a few questions at the pet store if you do buy and shop around looking at different breeds.
I think that the only major drawback to pet store purchases is the risk of getting a baby pigeon instead of a dove. If you deal with someone who sells nothing but doves I don't see this being a problem, but the price might come into factor. MM
"Now you're looking for the secret... but you won't find it because you're not really looking. You don't really want to know the secret... You want to be fooled." - The Prestige (2006)
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Dave Scribner Assistant Manager Lake Hopatcong, NJ 4849 Posts |
Magiciandex, buying a dove from a pet shop is risky, only because you know nothing about the bird or it's family tree. The pet shop is in business to sell pets and they really don't care about history. Also, you don't really know how old the bird is. You can guess by the color of the feet but it's a guess.
I'm sure Bob Sanders will chime in here soon and since he's in Alabama, he may have some sources for you. A breeder or magician is always the best source. Now to contradict whay I just said, my first bird came from a pet shop and turned out to be one of my best doves and the mother of most of my other doves. She's close to 10 years old I believe and is still going strong. You just never know.
Where the magic begins
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Norrabmagic Regular user 141 Posts |
Chances are if you call up a pet shop they will have no idea what you are talking about. Depending on which state you are in doves can be seemingly impossible to get.
I am in Florida and I needed 8 for my new show, after calling every bird breeder in Florida to no avail I ended up having them shipped in from Kentucky. If you can't find a place to start you may want to try calling up local dove release services (the type that do weddings etc) most of these people only have white pigeons, but they will usually know if and where you can get white ringnecks locally. If not find a good breeder out of state and have them mailed it is about 35 bucks and it only takes one day. If you are lucky enough to get youngsters they are easier to train, but most any dove can be trained to do a toss out in about 6 weeks. |
Bob Sanders Grammar Supervisor Magic Valley Ranch, Clanton, Alabama 20504 Posts |
Quote:
On 2005-04-29 16:48, Dave Scribner wrote: Magiciandex, No one's luck last forever. Dave was right, at the sound of the chime... There are plenty of magicians around you with doves. (Some even came from my doves.) Just put up a "wanted poster" at a few farm supply / feed stores and I think you'll find something within twenty-five miles of downtown White Pine. This is breeding season. Cages fill up quickly! Otherwise, I think Lucy and I will be in the Gatlinburg area in August. We will be in Huntsville in June. That's not far from you either. May is unsettled. Charlotte in May is likely too. But I'm sure you will find good doves closer to home. Start with the feed stores. They know who buys food for doves. Good Luck! Bob Sanders Magic By Sander |
michaelrice Loyal user Ireland 257 Posts |
I am sure this has been asked before so I didn't want to start a new topic!
Is there a particular type of dove to get for magic? Such as productions, etc.? I have heard something about Java doves, but I am not sure. Does anyone know? Mike~ |
magic_man204 Veteran user north idaho 350 Posts |
Java doves are good. but I prefer white ringnecks they look good and are great for performing
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magic mike New user Michael M. 88 Posts |
Magic_man204,
I always thought that java doves were the same as white ringnecks. On white ringnecks, the ring is not black but white. Or, is there something that I am confusing?
Channing Pollack is my idea of the perfect magician. For those of you that have not seen him perform, I recommend trying to get hold of a video of an old movie called "European Nights" made about 1959.
I was able to buy this video from Stevens Magic |
Daniel Faith Inner circle Neenah, Wisconsin 1526 Posts |
Just do a google search for your state for dove breeders.
That's how I found doves in Wisconsin. It should be a simple matter to find doves in this way.
Daniel Faith
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magic_man204 Veteran user north idaho 350 Posts |
White ringnecks and java doves are a little different but not much. and the ring on ringnecks is kind of grayish.
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