Pigeons at a wedding - traditions, signs and launching of birds

Wedding doves.
The history of this magical custom. A very beautiful and memorable sight - snow-white doves soaring into the air. This amazing tradition dates back to the distant past. Dear my readers!

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List of tips for launching pigeons

They began flying pigeons at weddings several hundred years ago in Italy.
This meant that the girl left her parental home and entered into a relationship with a man where love, tenderness and fidelity reigned. The launching of doves symbolizes the daughter's freedom from the guardianship of her mother and father, and her readiness to create a new family. In some countries, butterflies or balloons are released instead of doves. Not only the newlyweds, but also the invited guests are waiting for this moment, as it is an impressive sight.

The ritual is associated with several signs.

1. It is believed that if the dove flew out first and went far from her partner, then she will be the head of the family.
2. If the pigeons fly away from each other, it means that there will be misunderstandings and quarrels in the family.
3. Birds that fly high and fast are a good sign. This speaks of the fulfillment of the cherished desires of the young.
4. If a female and a male flutter in the sky inseparably, this means that the bride and groom will have a long and happy life.
5. When a bird stains a girl's outfit, it symbolizes wealth and prosperity in the new family.
6. If the female flew first, then perhaps the first of the children will be a girl. If the partner is ahead of the dove, then the first-born will be a boy.

But how can you tell which pigeon is male or female? A red or pink ribbon is placed on the foot of the bird that belongs to the girl. A blue or dark blue ribbon is attached to the male pigeon's foot. But, unfortunately, not all newlyweds adhere to this rule, considering this process dangerous for birds.

Preparation

This process was troublesome and time-consuming, so not only relatives, but also friends of the engaged couple took part in it. In short, there was a lot to take care of and organize:

• festive outfits for young people;
• wedding;
• feast;
• competitions and entertainment.

Wedding suits

Traditional clothing for this event was in white and red colors. Symbolizing prosperity, courage and purity (innocence). And it was decorated with ornaments of Slavic symbols.

Bride's outfit

The main element of the girl's wedding dress was a sleeveless sundress, long to the ground and widening towards the floors, white or red. A shirt was worn underneath, replacing underwear in those days. On top of the sundress, the bride’s calling card is an apron decorated with embroidery.

And the world famous kokoshnik was put on his head. Which she will only take off in front of her husband at the wedding. The newlywed was supposed to look brighter and more beautiful than the others, which is also true in modern times.

Groom's outfit

But the young man, unlike our days, on the contrary, according to ancient customs, dressed brightly, to match his betrothed. It was a red shirt or caftan with embroidery on the cuffs, forearms and collar. A fur hat was always worn on the head, regardless of the weather. This is such a strange tradition.

Bachelorette and bachelor parties

At first glance, these are the customs of a modern wedding, but they existed before. And if the essence of the bachelor party more or less remained the same - a feast with friends and relatives of the groom, then the bachelorette party has changed a lot. It was filled with ceremonial rituals.

On this day, the young woman could get together with her friends for the last time, so they sang sad songs and performed an ancient (pagan) ritual - unbraiding the braid. In those days, she was considered a symbol of girlhood and this ritual personified the transition to adulthood, then they went to the bathhouse, where another custom was performed.

The bridesmaids hovered the bride for a long time with a broom, and then one of the girls used it to steam herself. It was believed that this would help people get married faster. Doesn't remind you of anything? Yes Yes! This is where the custom of catching a newlywed’s bouquet comes from.

Pros and cons of tradition

Flying doves is one of the rituals that has many benefits.

1. A young couple can receive additional positive emotions.
2. The release of doves into the sky impresses not only the bride and groom, but also guests and passers-by.
3. Beautiful photographs will remain as a keepsake.

But there are also disadvantages to such a tradition. Not all people will be able to hold pigeons in their hands. For some, this causes fear and fear that the bird will peck on the hand. Some people are allergic to the birds themselves. Therefore, all this must be taken into account when planning a wedding.

Advice from pigeon breeders

Practical advice from pigeon breeders:

• Take measures to eliminate rats and mice. Prevent cats and ferrets from entering. To protect nurseries from rodents, they use a special poison - Deitran. Read the instructions and follow all the instructions - mice and rats will go away for six months.
• If you have some free time, wash the grain feed - you will see how much dirt there is in it. This will reduce the risk of bird infection. Do not seal containers in which dried grain is stored.
• Grain and mineral feeds disinfect microwave ovens well - one minute is enough for disinfection.
• You should not heat the dovecote - the birds will lose resistance to disease. But in cold weather below minus 10 degrees, you need to raise the temperature.
• Do not put lick salt in dovecotes - it is dangerous. The salt will absorb moisture, soften, and birds will begin to peck large pieces - this will cause poisoning and quick death.
• The biggest enemy of pigeons is the dust that comes from dried droppings. It harms breathing and contributes to infection with all sorts of diseases. Therefore, after cleaning the dovecote, be sure to vacuum it, and only then do a wet cleaning.

Breeding pigeons is a specific, troublesome and expensive process. If you decide to engage in this business for profit, first carefully calculate all the costs, assess the risks and your capabilities.

How to properly hold birds in your hands

Pigeons are medium-sized birds and quite gentle, so before you handle them, learn how to do it correctly.

There are some nuances that you need to know in order not to harm the bird:

• pigeons must be held tightly and carefully;
• The birds' legs should be placed between your fingers, the wings should be slightly pressed to the sides, then, as it were, thrown up to the sky;
• do not throw the birds before the due date so that the photographer successfully captures the moment in history.

How to fly wedding doves correctly

A dove is a delicate and fragile bird, so it’s a good idea to learn the rules on how to hold and release them so as not to harm them.

Someone mistakenly believes that such a fragile creature needs to be held in a tender embrace. In fact, the doves should be clasped with your hands gently, but at the same time firmly, so that they do not fly away ahead of time.

To prevent the pigeon from breaking out of the hands at the wrong moment, its paws should be placed between the fingers of the person holding it, and the wings should be carefully pressed against its body.

In order for the doves to simultaneously fly out of the hands of the newlyweds, you just need to unclench your fingers at once. You can also push the birds up a little. Before doing this, you need to give the photographer some time so that he can capture one of the most beautiful moments of the wedding.

You can release a pigeon no earlier than 3 weeks after purchase

For the first couple of days, you should not leave tied pigeons that have been released onto the roof unattended. They may try to fly up and fall down. Pigeons that do not enter the dovecote at the end of the day must be driven with a pole or twig. The pigeon's wings unravel after a week of being on the roof, but not before.

At least three weeks must pass from the moment the pigeon was purchased until the first release to fly around the new habitat. The bird must be kept in quarantine for the first week, in the dovecote for the second week, and released onto the roof for the third week. Such a period is enough for a young pigeon, which quickly settles into a new place. Old pigeons take longer to get used to it, so the period needs to be increased and released for their first flight in the rain. It is not recommended to chase recently released pigeons - they themselves must fly around the area.

How do they fly pigeons?

The ritual can be performed at any time and anywhere, although this service is usually offered in parks. Most often, pigeons are released after official registration. This tradition symbolizes the birth of a new family. After this, the young people must always remain faithful to each other.

You can release pigeons during a walk around the city, a photo shoot, or a banquet. In some cases, birds are released in front of the registry office, during a bachelorette or bachelor party. This may symbolize saying goodbye to single life.

The flight of pigeons looks spectacular in open areas where there are no trees, poles or houses nearby. Most often, the ceremony is held outside the city or in a park area.

It is not recommended to delay the ritual. It is better to release pigeons during the daytime. In the evening it will be dark and you will not be able to appreciate the beauty of the process.

Birds are considered gentle and fragile creatures. In order not to damage their wings, you need to know how to properly hold the birds. To do this, you need to carefully press the wings to the body and place the paws between the toes. Then the birds will not be able to fly out ahead of time.

At the moment of launching the birds into the sky, it is recommended to slightly push the birds upward. You cannot make sudden movements. Birds should not be frightened. They need to be released at the same time. Therefore, there must be an agreement between the bride and groom. For example, count to three.

To get beautiful photographs, the invited photographer needs to take several shots at once. It is not recommended to make sudden movements. Also, the bride and groom can pose a little in front of the camera with birds in their hands and against the background of soaring doves in the sky.

What is considered the best housing depending on the breed?

There is no ideal dovecote plan suitable for every breed of pigeon. In addition, the poultry farmer has to proceed not only from the needs of the birds, but also from his ability to equip the premises. However, there are some general rules that should be followed when starting to breed pigeons:

1. For meat and ornamental breeds, you can limit yourself to an enclosure with a closed room where pigeons can nest or wait out bad weather. In this case, the poultry farmer should be guided by the approved regulations. In particular, a fence is required that the birds cannot overcome, a slope is needed to drain and drain rain and melt water, regular disinfection of the enclosure premises is required, and the ability to isolate injured or sick birds is required.
2. For racing and sporting breeds, a room with an entrance will be required, from which the birds can fly. Any object will do, where the ceiling height is at least 2 m, the temperature in winter does not fall below +10 degrees, and there are individual places inside for each pigeon in the form of a box measuring at least 20 x 20 x 40 cm.
3. A very good option is a dovecote equipped in the attic. There the pigeons are isolated from noise (they are very shy birds and under stress they begin to go bald, stop reproducing, lose weight and muscle mass, and decorative breeds lose all attractiveness), and can leave the premises through the entrance.
4. The ideal option is a small room assembled from chain-link mesh, lining, poles and metal fasteners in a vacant lot or in the center of a quiet city or private yard. However, the use of such premises requires approval from the local administration and the SES.

The most unprofitable option is keeping them in cages. Racing and sports breeds lose their shape in such a room, and meat breeds gain fat instead of muscle mass, which is why their meat begins to be valued low.

Photos of pigeons for a wedding

Specificity of tradition

A few years ago, only a girl participated in the ritual.
In modern times, the bride and groom release doves into the sky at the same time. There are two types of ritual. The first of them involves the participation of two birds, which are held by the young in their hands. The second option refers to the launching of a flock of birds that fly out at a certain stage of the ceremony. It's like a live fireworks display. The birds are released before or after the ceremony. Sometimes the ceremony is performed several times, it all depends on the preferences of the young couple.

The pigeons are brought in a beautiful cage at the appointed time. There may be two or more. The birds are given to the bride and groom. Sometimes witnesses or parents of the newlyweds take part in the ceremony.

Launch: where and when?

The ceremony does not require a mandatory time and place. Usually the pigeons are released into the sky after the painting. After leaving the registry office, the ceremony symbolizes the birth of a new family and loyalty to each other.

It is not so important whether this happens immediately after leaving the registry office, during the traditional walk of the newlyweds or in the middle of the banquet. Sometimes, as a sign of farewell to single life, a ceremony with birds is organized before the painting - at a bachelor or bachelorette party.

The flight of birds looks most impressive in open areas, where trees and buildings do not interfere with enjoying the beautiful spectacle and observing the behavior of pigeons. Often the ceremony is held outside the city or in a park.

It is also important not to delay the ceremony, since no one will be able to observe and evaluate the flight of birds in the dark. Birds should be released during daylight hours.

How to hold and let go

Pigeons are delicate and fragile birds. You need to be able to hold them correctly so as not to injure them. To do this, the wings of the birds are carefully pressed to the body, and the paws are fixed between the fingers. This way the birds will not break free ahead of time.

When the moment comes to release the pigeons into the sky, it is advised to slightly push the birds upward. You should not make sudden movements. It is important that the birds are released at the same time, so the bride and groom should agree in advance. You can, for example, launch birds on the count of three.

In order for the photographer to take several successful shots, you should not suddenly let go of the pigeons. At the same time, the bride and groom must have time to pose for the camera both with birds in their hands and against the backdrop of birds soaring in the sky.

What is your service?

Having accepted the application for the service, you will bring the birds to the specified place for the newlyweds to walk or directly to the registry office.

Newlyweds are very willing to take a series of photographs as a keepsake of the wedding celebration.

Opponents of this beautiful custom can be reassured: the pigeons released at the celebration return to the owner, or to their native dovecote, where they are properly cared for. Wildlife defenders say that birds that are not adapted to wild life get lost, go astray and die. Such cases, of course, do occur, but for the most part, conscientious owners properly train their pets and value each bird.

Inexperienced or unscrupulous breeders most often offer unpedigreed pigeons that are not particularly valuable in their eyes - such people essentially don’t care whether the birds return to them or not. Here we consider breeding pigeons for weddings as a business that requires a certain approach. Unscrupulous “businessmen” are revealed by their behavior: their birds are shy, reluctant to be handled or even hid in the corner of their cages; most often, such people feed and water the pigeons too much before the celebration, and the flying birds can easily stain your festive outfits and hands.

Typically, experienced breeders do not feed birds on the morning of the day when they are to participate in filming the celebration. This is not cruel - it is absolutely correct.

• Firstly, the birds will thus quickly find their way to the house, where abundant food awaits them.
• Secondly, all guests of the event do not have to worry about the safety of their suits and dresses.

Most often, newlyweds are offered a breed of sporting (homing) pigeons. This breed is characterized by high accuracy of orientation in space, speed and the ability to overcome long distances. The owners are absolutely calm - they clearly know that their pets will find their way to the house. There have been cases where pigeons of this breed found their home after flying more than 300 km.

The tradition of the “pigeon salute” looks especially beautiful on a warm sunny day. Of course, in the cold season it is somewhat more difficult for birds to fly, but during snowfalls and frosts their speed decreases. Of course, in severe frosts it is recommended to take care of the birds and not let them out of the dovecote. Although, usually in such weather newlyweds do not practice long photo sessions and walks.

Where can I find pigeons and how much do they cost?

Pigeons are common birds. Finding them is not that difficult. They are in every yard and park. But such individuals are not suitable for a wedding celebration. Pure white birds are released into the sky. They are bred in special dovecotes. In some cases, they are tinted so that the color of the feathers is perfectly white.

You can rent pigeons at a special nursery or from a breeder. If the wedding is distinguished by sophistication, then birds with a good pedigree are selected.

There is one important rule. Before renting pigeons, you need to make sure there is no infection. Many people know that birds are carriers of various diseases. So be careful.

There are also cases when breeders meet young people near the door with birds in their hands. This type of service is convenient because the bride and groom do not need to book pigeons in advance. But you need to have some money with you. There is also no certainty that the young will be ready to launch pigeons, because the ceremony includes several features.

Carrier pigeons are most often used at weddings. They differ from ordinary birds in their resilience. They can travel long distances and will always find their way home.

Doves at a wedding are an affordable service. The average rental cost is 1200-1800 rubles. If the newlyweds want purebred and healthy birds at the wedding, then they will have to pay from 2000 to 2500 rubles.

Pigeons are very trainable, so they are sometimes used as actors. Example in the video.

A beautiful ritual, amulet or...?

It's no secret that for many, a wedding is just a beautiful ceremony or a tribute to tradition. Crowns, wine, rings, candles, choir singing - all this is truly very beautiful. At the same time, those getting married often do not have any prayerful attitude and are not aware of what will happen now, that the Holy Spirit will invisibly descend on them and sanctify the future family. People enter the temple and have fun and take pictures. But this is not just a rite or ritual, but a sacrament, that is, a very serious thing. In the prayers of the Sacrament of Wedding, the priest will ask for God's blessing for this family. In this case, the prayer of the spouses themselves is very important.

Many resort to getting married, hoping that in the future they will not get sick, swear, and they will not have any temptations in life. The Lord gives His blessing, but how people will live and behave in marriage depends entirely on them. Our life is not only covered with roses. There will always be some sorrows and problems in her, and she will need not only love, but also sacrifice, patience, humility of her pride. This is what is said in the sacrament of Marriage. If it were so that they got married - and lived in a strong marriage all their lives - then people would not be people.

Everyone goes through mistakes, everyone has passions, but if a person lives with God, it will be easier for him to overcome this. Those who spend their lives without God will not avoid serious temptations, and a wedding will not protect such a marriage from them. But treating the sacrament not as a blessing from God, but as a talisman is a sin.

Photo session with white doves

A photo shoot is one of the most important elements of a wedding celebration. An experienced photographer will take photographs that will remind you of an important event many years later. He will not forget about several shots with pigeons.

Spectacular wedding shots are obtained with pigeons in a cage. But the birdhouse must be beautiful and match the event. The groom is asked to lift the cage and the bride to look at the birds.

Photos in which newlyweds carefully hold doves and look at each other or at the birds look especially tender. Surely guests will also want to take photos with the birds. It is important to capture the moment of flight. To do this, you will need professional equipment, which is in the specialist’s arsenal. It is extremely difficult to film all stages of the ceremony with a regular camera or smartphone camera.

The photo session must be held in an open area. The better the overview, the better the shots you will get.

Advantages and disadvantages of custom

The custom of launching wedding doves into the sky from the hands of the newlyweds has many advantages, but there are also some disadvantages. So that even one minute of an important day is not spoiled, you need to take into account all the nuances.

Pros of the tradition of releasing doves at a wedding:

• the bride and groom will receive additional exciting but pleasant sensations;
• the ritual attracts the attention of all guests and becomes one of the memorable events of the wedding, causing delight and a feeling of joy;
• Spectacular photographs will remain.

The disadvantages include the fact that not all people can cope with hostility and not everyone can hold a dove in their hands. In case of allergies to birds, the tradition should also be abandoned.

The tradition has become very popular and is carried out at almost every wedding ceremony - this can also be considered a disadvantage. Therefore, if you want to make your holiday special and different from all other weddings, then the release of doves can be replaced, for example, with butterflies.

Nature must be treated conscientiously

Archpriest Alexander Saltykov, Dean of the Faculty of Church Arts of the Orthodox St. Tikhon's Humanitarian University (PSTGU):

“The bird of God knows neither care nor labor, It does not laboriously build a long-lasting nest,” -

Everyone is familiar with these lines from Pushkin from an early age.

Archpriest Alexander Saltykov

There is a beautiful old custom - to release birds into the wild on Annunciation. Forgotten in the 20th century, this custom began to be revived at the end of the last century along with the revival of the Church.

Children, and often adults as well, experience a feeling of genuine delight when birds languishing in a cage suddenly joyfully and swiftly soar to the sky: everyone looks, without taking their eyes off, as they describe, higher and higher, beautiful circles, and then, in some way - with an inspiration incomprehensible to us, they suddenly confidently direct the flight in the direction that has opened up to them - home, to their native dovecote...

The soul yearns for the birds, up there in the sky, and people retain a bright memory for the rest of their lives.

Birds are creatures of God, special in their own way, living in the air element. They need to be loved and protected, which children especially feel. And adults often show them the opposite example - they now often begin to treat this creature of God as a means of generating income: owners of birds rent them out on the day of the holiday in order to make a profit, which is then often simply thrown down the drain, but not in bird element. But sometimes the birds themselves are not taken care of.

It’s a good custom, but another thing is what sometimes gets layered on top of it in modern conditions. And here you need to be careful. Still, beautiful customs should not become a continuous subject of commercialization. Because it kills the spirituality of church society.

It is very necessary to maintain sobriety of feelings and gratitude to God and remind children of this: the Lord gave us everything, and these birds too. We need to constantly thank Him for everything, keep a feeling of gratitude in our hearts, and then our life will be bright.

Among other things, we will understand in what cases it is or is not worth releasing birds and what kind of birds. After all, releasing birds, when they jubilantly fly towards the sky, towards the light, is a symbolic action. And this is the state of the human heart, the human soul, which at the Annunciation for the first time began to free itself from earthly fetters.

The news brought to the Most Holy Theotokos Mary by an angel from Heaven was joyful and liberating for all humanity. And birds symbolize angels, they bring the joy of freedom and happiness.

And there are pigeons that live in good conditions and always return to the one who cares for them. But what is the point if, for example, crippled birds are released into the wild, doomed to death? The poor dove barely flies up to the first branch and sits there, indifferent to its own fate. What a symbol this is! And it becomes sad.

People, be vigilant towards every creature of God, and go against all unpiety and unlove. We all need to keep an eye on ourselves and our children all the time. The Church teaches us that there is a “conscience for people,” there is a “conscience for things,” and there is also a “conscience for nature.”

Let the younger generation have more conscience towards everything that surrounds us, let children love the forest, field, flowers, streams, birds more... and take care of all this God-given wealth.

Recommendations

Organizing a wedding ceremony with doves is very simple if you keep in mind some recommendations:

• Before implementing the idea, it is important to find out whether the heroes of the occasion have an allergic reaction to feathers. Otherwise, the wedding banquet will be ruined;
• To prevent pigeons from soiling their outfits with feces, which the bride and groom are often afraid of, the birds are not fed a day before the event;
• If one of the newlyweds has a dislike for birds or is afraid of them, then it is better to refuse such a ceremony. Pigeons can be replaced with butterflies or glowing lanterns;
• To be sure that birds will not become a source of infection, it is better to rent them from special nurseries;
• White doves will look great at a wedding celebration. It is better to avoid variegated breeds;
• Photo sessions with birds are trusted only to experienced photographers with professional equipment;
• Don't take the signs associated with the ceremony too seriously. Even if the birds fly away, the main thing in family life is to rely on yourself. Perhaps the birds simply did not like each other.

Idea! You can complement the launch of pigeons into the sky with balloons or the smoke of colored bombs. This action looks colorful and solemn.

Some tips for making your own wedding garlands

Wedding garlands can be made from absolutely any available materials: balloons, paper, ribbons, fabrics, fresh flowers and many others. The main thing is that the components are harmoniously combined with each other in color and texture; When choosing a material, you should be guided by the purpose of the garland. For example, it is better to make outdoor decorations from moisture-resistant elements (film, wrapping paper, colored plastic cups)

Such decor will not deteriorate if the weather suddenly worsens; It is important that the shade of the garland correlates with the overall color scheme of the wedding; The size of the decoration elements must correspond to the size of the room. If the banquet hall is spacious, then the details of the garland can be large

If the celebration is held in a small cafe, then the decor components should be modest and laconic.

Peculiarities

Today, not only the bride, but also her betrothed takes part in the ceremony. The newlyweds release the doves into the sky together. There are two versions of the ritual. The first case involves two birds, which the bride and groom hold in their hands. The second option involves the participation of a flock of birds, which at a certain stage of the ceremony soar into the sky. It turns out to be a kind of “live fireworks”.

Birds, as mentioned earlier, are released before or after painting. In some cases the ceremony is performed twice. It all depends on the preferences of the couple.

At the appointed time, the birds are brought to the young in a beautiful wedding cage. It can be only two doves for the bride and groom or several birds at once. If desired, they are also presented to witnesses and guests of the holiday.

Before releasing the birds into the wild, it is important to arrange a short photo session. The ceremony footage looks spectacular and romantic in the photographs.

When the birds are in the sky, the guests and heroes of the occasion watch the flight and remember the signs associated with the ceremony.

Bird health

Pigeons, like all scavenger birds, are active carriers of infectious diseases, including avian influenza. Many diseases are dangerous not only for pigeons, but also for humans. The most dangerous diseases:

• Psittacosis. This is an acute infectious disease. Young animals are especially often affected, and often die if infected.
• Trichomonosis. The causative agent is Trichomonas. Spreads through water. Leads to death.
• Campylobacteriosis. Bacteria that asymptomatically parasitize in the body are called. Treated with antibiotics.
• Listeriosis. Another bacterial disease. Characterized by a long course. There is no effective treatment.
• Tularemia. A bacterial disease with no specific treatment. Use regular antibiotics.
• Pseudotuberculosis. A chronic disease that causes a wide range of symptoms. There is no specific treatment.

And this is only a small part of the diseases that pigeons can suffer from (read what diseases pigeons have here). Due to the fact that people are affected by avian diseases when breeding pigeons, it is necessary to settle the issue with the sanitary and epidemiological station.

To legally keep pigeons in your backyard, you must obtain the following documents:

• Permit – 20,000 rubles.
• Quality certificate – 5,000 rubles.
• Veterinary conclusion – 200 rubles per bird.

The greatest danger to domestic pigeons is wild birds, which is why it is important to prevent their access to the flock. Pigeon health and influencing factors:

Pigeon health and influencing factors:

Requirements for a dovecote

Most pigeon breeders build such a room themselves, trying to adhere to the minimum sanitary requirements for housing birds:

1. For safety reasons and to prevent small rodents and predators from entering the dovecote from the outside, the dovecote is sheathed with sheet iron or an outer box made of sheet iron 1.5-2 mm thick is welded. Such a box allows you to avoid the formation of cracks and drafts.
2. The dovecote can be made of a frame made of wooden beams with a cross-section of 50x100 or 50x150 mm, covered with sheets of flat slate. In this case, it may be necessary to foam the joints of the sheets and externally seal the joints with water-repellent compounds.
3. Any dovecote must have supply and exhaust ventilation. An increased concentration of ammonia released from the droppings will lead to the bird becoming sick with dropsy.
4. Keeping pigeons requires a temperature in the dovecote ranging from +10 °C to +25 °C, so the walls of the room must be insulated from the inside. It would be undesirable to insulate with mineral wool slabs, which will release phenol and tiny fibers into the air that enter the bird’s lungs. It is best to insulate a dovecote with ecowool, blowing it between the outer wall and the inner wall made of clapboard on a wooden sheathing.
5. Floors must be insulated and have a hard surface. This will allow for sanitation in case the bird becomes sick. For insulation, polystyrene concrete with a cement-sand screed on top is suitable.
6. Lighting. Pigeons develop normally when exposed to light for at least 12 hours, so lighting will be necessary in winter. It can be arranged using low-power LED lamps.
7. Heating. Insulated walls will help you avoid sudden changes in temperature, but will not save you from getting cold during the cold season. The dovecote requires heating that does not burn the oxygen in the room. These can be electric infrared lamps or panels.
8. Sections for hatching chicks. They are arranged in the form of racks, separated by partitions, along long side walls.
9. Keeping young animals. An adult bird can drive the young out of the most convenient places in the dovecote, so it is necessary to place one individual perch for each pigeon on the internal walls or racks.

Inventory

The following equipment is used in the dovecote:

1. Individual perches. Every young pigeon or adult pigeon needs a perch. It is made from two wooden planks 10 cm wide, knocked together into a house and nailed to a wall or frame post with the top up. The design of the perch allows them to be placed on top of each other to save space.
2. Feeder. Do not scatter food for feeding pigeons on the floor. The room should have a feeder with windows, the number of which is equal to or greater than the number of birds. The top of the feeder should be closed to prevent droppings from entering. The volume of the feeder must correspond to the feeding norm - 50 g of grain per head.
3. Nests for hatching chicks. They are made in the form of shelves with partitions along the walls or in the form of an open adjustable bookcase standing against the wall. In each resulting compartment, a box made of wooden planks without a bottom is placed to organize a nest.
4. Drinking bowl. It is better to use special plastic drinkers made from a container turned upside down and a round plate with a recess for water. The drinking bowl should be in a place inaccessible to contamination by droppings.
5. Bathhouse. The easiest way is to put a small plastic basin with a small amount of water, which needs to be changed daily.
6. Dishes for minerals. A metal or plastic bowl will do. You can use an additional feeder, pouring chalk, small stones, and crushed shell rock into it.

Security requirements

Important:

1. It is prohibited to place dovecotes near power lines.
2. A high pole for determining wind direction and a perch for resting after flights must be grounded.
3. If the outer surface of the dovecote is metal, it must be grounded.
4. Indoors, you cannot use powerful lamps for lighting and powerful heat sources with a small cross-section of the electrical supply cable.
5. All wall or ceiling infrared heaters must have a protective shield made of tin at the rear.
6. The wiring in the dovecote must be placed in a metal sleeve.

Signs associated with wedding doves

The dove is a symbol of unity, prosperity and peace. Therefore, the custom of releasing these birds at a wedding is an important moment for the newlywed couple. There are several beliefs that are associated specifically with the launching of wedding white doves.

Signs by which the future life of newlyweds is determined:

• if the pigeons fly side by side, then the newlyweds will have a happy and friendly family life;
• the light flight of pigeons means harmony and calm in relationships;
• if the birds quickly rushed upward, then all the cherished desires of the husband and wife will certainly come true.

There are signs associated with dreams. Therefore, it is also worth paying attention to them. Why catch a dove at your wedding - it means that your wish will come true and your loved one will be nearby.

Also, during the release of wedding doves, you can find out who will be the first-born in the new family: a boy or a girl

To do this, a blue ribbon is tied to the paw or chest of one pigeon, and a pink ribbon to the second.

When releasing pigeons, you need to carefully monitor which of them will fly to the sky first. By this bird and its ribbon you can judge who to wait for first. It is not necessary to tie ribbons; you can wish that the groom's dove will mean a son, and the bride's dove will mean a daughter.

Wedding snow-white doves will give the newlyweds and their guests a lot of positive emotions on this special day, and beautiful photographs will allow you to remember this touching and very spectacular moment for the rest of your life. So you shouldn’t give up this custom, but rather allow yourself to feel love in all its fullness and send a bird into the sky, which symbolizes the most beautiful thing on earth.

Modern look

Today, few people delve into the essence of the main traditions, so many of them have noticeably changed. For example, it is believed that at least two birds should be released, instead of one. In addition to the bride, the groom also has a bird today. The organizers, who are constantly looking for new ideas, believe that birds are needed not only by friends, but also by guests.

Unfortunately, in this case, in addition to the birds soaring beautifully in the sky, the meaning of the tradition itself is lost. The mother's message about breaking the invisible thread connecting her with her daughter is practically erased. All that remains is a symbol of purity, which is often emphasized by the toastmaster when speaking about birds as a symbol of the tender relationship between future spouses.

Instead of a sad pause, everyone watches the birds fly, and along the way comes up with signs about their future family life.

In fact, the direction of flight does not matter at all - the happiness of two loving hearts does not depend on it, just like the birth of a son or daughter. The young people will have both happy moments and times of strife ahead. Whether they can go through life and remain faithful to each other, gentle and caring, will depend only on themselves. It is also useless to tie a pink or blue ribbon to pigeons to determine whether the young couple will have a son or a daughter.

In our country, the tradition of releasing white doves has also acquired some variations. For example, this is another reason to make a wish, which only newlyweds can do. In addition, pigeons are a favorite subject for photographers, so they are also used for photo shoots before being released into the sky.

Often doves are released into the sky twice on the first wedding day.

Conducting a photo shoot with pigeons

No event is complete without a photo shoot. It is better to invite an experienced and responsible photographer to your wedding. Only he can take beautiful and spectacular pictures. To begin with, newlyweds are recommended to take photographs with birds in a cage. At the same time, the birds’ house should be beautiful and correspond to the event. The groom is asked to lift the cage a little and the future wife to look at the birds.

If a young couple wants tender pictures as a souvenir, then it is recommended that the bride and groom take the doves in their hands and look at each other lovingly. Guests should not stay away either.

The photographer must capture the moment when the pigeons fly into the sky. To do this, a specialist must have special equipment in his arsenal. Capturing such moments will not be possible with a phone or a simple camera.

It is better to conduct a photo session in an open area. Then the shots will turn out better.

Where to order doves for a wedding

Renting wedding doves costs little money, so every couple can have a joyful ceremony of releasing these birds. The price varies depending on who the pigeon supplier is.

If you order birds from a professional dovecote, you will need to pick them up yourself, which will require additional costs. On average, the cost will cost from 1500 to 1800 rubles for a pigeon and dove.

You can also buy pigeons near the registry office; this option will cost the least - about 800-100 rubles per pair. Considering that the pigeons will be accepted from non-professionals, there is a risk that they will stain the outfits, because they can be fed directly on the wedding day.

For the same reason, some newlyweds refuse a beautiful tradition, fearing to spoil their wedding dresses. Therefore, it is better to order birds from specialized companies. To avoid embarrassment, the pigeons will not be fed before the specified date.

Wedding agencies often offer a service for renting wedding doves. This is very convenient, since a company employee will deliver the birds exactly at the time when they need to be released. This service will cost a little more – 1800-2000 rubles, but will allow you to do it without any extra hassle.

Also, before releasing the birds, a representative of the agency can instruct the newlyweds on how to behave properly with the birds so that everything goes smoothly

Many people worry whether pigeons return to their former place after a wedding. Professionals rent out only trained birds for the holiday, who know their dovecote and always return to it.

What will the unexpected neighborhood reveal?

If a bird has settled nearby on a balcony or attic, this means that your home is a favorable zone. These birds will never build nests where a large number of negative flows are concentrated.

So if you see that pigeons have become your neighbors, you can calm down. Now you know for sure that your home is protected and you can admire the beauty of these wonderful birds every day.

In addition, pigeons living under your roof indicate that you are not under magical influence, and you are not subject to witchcraft attacks, you are a good person who is waiting for positive changes in life.

Also, such a proximity suggests that in the near future you will experience strong changes in your financial situation. Your business will go up, so expect a bonus or promotion.

Pay attention to how your new neighbors behave. If the pigeons are wild, then they should not come into contact with you

Perhaps, if you manage to tame them gradually, they may trust you, but not right away. If a wild bird immediately takes food from your hands, this may portend illness. That’s why you should start taking better care of your health.

Selection of wedding birds

You should order wedding doves for your wedding from a specialized agency or nursery. Pigeons belong to a certain type of especially developed purebred birds that differ from other birds in their mental abilities.

These are mainly carrier pigeons. They can withstand long flights and always find their way back to their home. The cost of renting doves for a wedding varies within reasonable limits and is affordable to many.

On pigeon farms, pets are given the necessary care and their health is taken care of. To breed pigeons you need to have the necessary knowledge and skills.

In some cities there are entire clubs for breeding white doves for weddings, which even have a pedigree.

The tradition of releasing snow-white birds into the sky is an unforgettable decoration of any wedding and causes indescribable delight and joy in all those present.

And magnificent photographs with divine birds will remain for a long memory! Be happy!

Stork as an ancient symbol

Along with the eagle and lapwing, the stork destroys ominous reptiles and is therefore a solar bird. But as a being associated with water and fish, he is associated with the waters of creation.

“Brought by the stork,” children in the form of embryos are found in the womb of Mother Earth and in the waters of creation, where storks find them while fishing. The stork also symbolizes the arrival of spring and new life, and therefore is the Annunciation bird.

The ancient symbol of childbirth is “The stork brought a child.”

Slavic tradition is an ancient bird-totem, a symbol of the homeland, family well-being, love for the native land, home. Symbol of the pagan Slavic goddess Dawn (Morning and Evening).

The punishment for an offense inflicted on a stork is the destruction of the nest or the killing of the bird - a fire that incinerates the house or the killer himself.

In Christianity, it symbolizes chastity, purity, reverence, prudence and vigilance.

As a harbinger of spring, it is considered a symbol of new life.

The stork, as an ancient symbol, in a number of traditions symbolizes abundance, fertility, longevity, maternal feelings (and at the same time filial respect), foreshadows a good fate, the birth of children (just like the heron).

Where can I get it and how much do they cost?

Pigeons are unusual birds. They are used for wedding ceremonies not only because of their beauty and tenderness. Birds symbolize peace, love and fidelity.

Renting birds for a wedding ceremony is easy. You can contact bird breeders or special nurseries. Here, for a particularly elegant wedding, newlyweds can order pigeons with a pedigree.

Important! Renting birds from a nursery is a guarantee of safety, because birds are carriers of a number of diseases. You need to be sure that the pigeon infection will not be transmitted to the bride and groom.

Sometimes birds are offered for rent right outside the registry office. This service is convenient because you don’t even have to prepare for the ceremony in advance. However, when choosing pigeons from the registry office, you cannot be sure that they are properly prepared to participate in the celebration. The advantage of this service is its low cost.

Carrier pigeons are used for the ceremony. They are able to travel long distances and will always find their way home. By renting such birds, you don’t have to worry about their safety.

The cost of the service is affordable to everyone. A pair of birds will cost an average of 1000-1500 rubles. Thoroughbred individuals are somewhat more expensive - approximately 2000 rubles each.

Tree of Love

Planting a tree that symbolizes love, and then caring for it together, growing it year after year - this is the essence of this wedding tradition, which exists among many peoples of the world. It is best to plant a tree near your home or in your own garden, but if this is not possible, then a large tub or floor pot will do for the plant to grow in the house.

Such a symbolic ceremony will fit very organically into a country wedding in the fresh air; in style it is suitable for a rustic wedding, eco-style or boho. But a classic ceremony can also be completed by planting a tree of love. To make this gesture even more symbolic, you can collect potting soil from your parents' property or take a handful from potted plants living in their homes.

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Rules for releasing pigeons

There are two ways to launch magnificent birds into the sky:

• the newlyweds release a pair of doves in one impulse, as a sign of pure and mutual love;
• the young couple, together with witnesses, release several doves into the sky at once.

The flight of wedding doves is a breathtaking sight, so the newlyweds and guests watch them for a while.

Sometimes pink and blue ribbons are tied to the birds' feet, for girls and boys, respectively. But this can harm the bird if it becomes entangled in wires or tree branches.

The tradition of releasing birds also has some beliefs:

• if the birds soar high, the spouses’ dreams will come true;
• took off naturally and easily - married life will be peaceful and harmonious;
• if the birds began to circle around, the young spouses will always be nearby;
• a couple of snow-white doves soars in the sky - the family will be friendly;
• the dove disgraced the bride's wedding decoration - she will not need anything. But to prevent this from happening, pigeons should not be fed before flying.
• the dove flies for a long time in front of the dove - the husband will be the head of the family;
• the dove soared up faster than the dove - the first-born in the family will be a boy, if the dove is ahead - a girl;
• before launching doves at a wedding, make a wish; if the birds fly skyward, it will come true;
• the birds scattered in opposite directions - to a troubled life.

Whether you should believe the signs is up to you to decide, but you want to believe that your sincere feelings and love mean more.