Using homing pigeons, good idea or bad?

[Special T]

Yellow beak and hawk like yellow tallons I think.  They are a little bigger but the yellow makes them pop.

[Stilly bay]

Yellow beak and hawk like yellow tallons I think.  They are a little bigger but the yellow makes them pop.

but good luck getting a long look at them unless your in a blind. I have them come to my bird feeders occasionally and they are extremely skittish.

in flight they look to be about a third bigger than a regular pigeon- but this is coming from a guy who spends a lot of time looking at pigeons in the sky. IMO the best way to spot them in flight is they will usually be flying higher than feral pigeons, in ones or twos, traveling quickly in a direct route. they normally perch on tree tops along cliff edge or steep drops. the most distinguishing characteristic for me is they have a really odd wing beat sometimes when they glide, almost like they are wiggling or shimmying their wings while coasting.

[C. Cassano]

what wild weeds said.

also, build them a proper loft that gets lots of flashlight and minimal draft. there are lots of pigeon loft plans on the internet. for birds to be happy healthy and breeding like rats they need to have plenty of space, so try not overcrowd. two square feet of floor space per bird is the general rule of thumb. you can get by with more in less space if you pay attention to ventilation and general health.

my pigeon lofts are pretty simple. 4x8x6 with wire windows I can open and close for better ventilation. I can squeeze 10 pairs in there, but really five is ideal.

don't build one of those rabbit hutch lofts you see advertised. IMO you really need something you can walk into, the birds are much healthier for the extra space.
I have seen some people retro fit those furniture moving crates into serviceable lofts, either way you should be able to come up with a decent loft for a couple hundred bucks.
or visit a neighbor with grown kids and talk him out of the school bus stop at the end of his driveway.

I have seen some as well. but i have a simple one which is not good compare to anyone of you.