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Eldon Inner circle Virden, IL 1137 Posts |
I had two doves I used in my act for 25 years. One lived to be 27 years old and the other lived 25 years. Is this a record or is it normal?
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Dave Scribner Assistant Manager Lake Hopatcong, NJ 4849 Posts |
Everything I've read says a dove will live approximately 7-10 years but I'm not sure if there is a "normal" life expectancy. I've known magicians that have birds that consistently live for 20 years or more and others that live 7-10. It depends a lot on environment, breeding and care, in my opinion.
Where the magic begins
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Jim Davis Special user What is....? Utah 945 Posts |
With proper care, you can easily have a dove live 25 years. I have had doves live that long and others live less than 10 years. I do have a tendency to believe that there is a tie with the actual species of dove you choose.
Diamond Jim Davis "The Cardslinger" ~~~ Magic from the '80's....................the 1880's!
<BR><BR> <BR><BR>Don't just be a magician, be a human interest! <BR><BR> <BR><BR>[url]www.periodplayers.com[/ur |
Marshall Thornside Inner circle chicago 2016 Posts |
25 years is a long time for birds to live. Sounds like you took wonderful care of them despite their susceptibility to breathing diseases.
My dad had a chicken that lived for about 15 years. He was a wonderful chicken and died of old age.
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World's Youngest Illusionista 7th greatest pianist in the world Go Red For Women and Stroke Ambassador www.mai-ling.net |
Dave Scribner Assistant Manager Lake Hopatcong, NJ 4849 Posts |
I treat my birds like children. They have their own room in my basement with heat, ventilation, sun lamps and excercise area. I work with them everyday and make sure they get a check up once a year by a vet. My oldest bird right now is 12. Surprising since I didn't raise her from a baby but bought her as an adult. I know she didn't get the care I provide, from her previous owner.
Where the magic begins
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zaubern Veteran user Seattle, Wa 335 Posts |
Every pet store I hear about the same thing, 4-6 years. Well, I've had mine about 5 now and know many magicians who have had their birds going on 30 years. Bottom line is, if you take care of your birds as you should and show them plenty of love, they should have a long and enjoyable life.
Zaubern
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daffydoug Eternal Order Look mom! I've got 14077 Posts |
I agree. My male dove has been around forever, and every body just can't believe that he is still kicking. They always act like they expect him to keel over any time, but he's a Timex. One thing I've noticed, though. Length of life does not necesarrily grant the bird any more brains. In fact, this one seems to have invented the word dumb! It is a source of laughter for us though. I love to let him walk on the floor and rub his butt and wag it back and forth. Or It's fun to watch him "serenade" any thing white that he thinks is another bird. That can be a sock, a pair of tennis shoes. Even a snowball! If it's white, he wants to mate with it! It's hilarious! That must be where they got the saying "Birdbrain".
The difficult must become easy, the easy beautiful and the beautiful magical.
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Bob Sanders Grammar Supervisor Magic Valley Ranch, Clanton, Alabama 20504 Posts |
Aging! Boy is this my category!
The Conservation Department tells me that the average life span of a wild dove is two years but a lucky dove can live much longer. The experiment I followed at the Univerisity of Arkansas that was going to answer this question came to a quick end. Bobcats ate the lab subjects. From my own experience, I have come to the conclusion that if a dove makes it until his second year, he is good for at least a dozen years. I have a few doves that may be twenty. The other thing I have noticed is that when the mate dies for an older bird, both will likely be dead within the year. I really prefer working with birds that are over two years old. Their feathering seems more stable and their tolerance of the magician seems very forgiving. I need that. Bob Sanders Magic By Sander |
gician New user 74 Posts |
My dove is 20-25 years old. He stopped going on his perch and has stopped cooing. He's still eating and drinking, but spends most of his time just sitting in a corner of his cage. Is this how doves behave near the end of life?
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Dick Oslund Inner circle 8357 Posts |
The late Neil Foster, who, BTW, never used a dove in his act, had doves live to 25 +.
Of my first 3, the male made it to about 5 years, and died of a tumor on his lungs. Of the two females, one made it to about 17. I gave the other to a young magician, and stopped using livestock. Those last two doves 'gave' me 8 minutes. One was produced from a standard dove bag, and the other from a couple silks. With all the lines and bits of business, I got 8 funny minutes.
SNEAKY, UNDERHANDED, DEVIOUS,& SURREPTITIOUS ITINERANT MOUNTEBANK
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zoic New user UK 67 Posts |
This is insightful, I never gave it much thought before. I've always liked Doves in magic.
Do you have to clip their wings? |
latentimage Elite user No More Room In Hell.. 440 Posts |
No. There is no reason to clip their wings. If you do, you might end up with them dropping of your finger and flopping around on the ground like they've been shot. People do not like seeing that. Proper training is the answer.
"Come to the edge," he said, They Said "We Are Afraid," "Come to the edge," he said, They Came, He Pushed Them...And They Flew. -Apollinaire
"If there be a skeptical star, I was born under it. Yet I have lived all my days in complete astonishment." -W. MacNeile Dixon |
zoic New user UK 67 Posts |
No, that doesn't sound magical at all! Im glad through, the clipping thing would put me off!
Do you need to keep them in pairs? Do they live longer and happier with the company? |
zoic New user UK 67 Posts |
Don't worry, I've done a bit of research, doves look great, but... Im leaning towards a rabbit!
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Dave Scribner Assistant Manager Lake Hopatcong, NJ 4849 Posts |
Quote:
On Apr 16, 2015, zoic wrote: That would be a good move. Too many magicians jump right into dove magic and then are sorry they did. To answer your question though, the life expectancy does not depend on whether they are in pairs or not. I've had single birds live just as long as those with a mate. It's all about how well you care for them.
Where the magic begins
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latentimage Elite user No More Room In Hell.. 440 Posts |
Dave is correct on all counts, as usual The only thing I can add is that in my experience, doves, like other animals, do seem to be happier with at least one other of their kind. I suppose it can get kind of lonely all alone. Doesn't have to be a male and female though. Putting two females together would work. It's definitely best to avoid putting two males together in a small enclosure. This might be ok for a while, but eventually at least one bird will start to get picked on.
"Come to the edge," he said, They Said "We Are Afraid," "Come to the edge," he said, They Came, He Pushed Them...And They Flew. -Apollinaire
"If there be a skeptical star, I was born under it. Yet I have lived all my days in complete astonishment." -W. MacNeile Dixon |
Gordon Special user Chicago 692 Posts |
My oldest bird lived to 18 years. Others were over a dozen years old, all living in their outdoor dove cote.
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Maro Anglero Loyal user FLORIDA 248 Posts |
I also owned the same doves in my act for 25 years. 10 years ago I moved to Florida and left those dove with another magician. The doves I picked up here in Florida are going on 10 of dove life.
it take about two weeks to train doves into my act. Maro
For the Magician: The hard must become habit, The habit must become easy, The easy must become Beautiful
Doug Henning |
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