If looking around to compare Dove Release suppliers it is not just the cost that you need to consider. How well are the Doves looked after? How will the Doves look on your photographs?
You will want pure white Doves in full feather. An easy check to ensure you are getting well looked after Doves is to enlarge the images on websites. If the Doves have any flights or tail feathers missing they are being used during the moult, which is not comfortable for them. Any ruffled or darker tail feathers or brown staining suggests the Doves are kept in cramped unhygeinic lofts. This will show up on your photographs and ruin the memories of something so special.
The image you see on the top header of every page, is in the Dove world absolute perfection, thats what you want to see. (the full image can be seen on our image gallery page)
DIY Dove Release
Please be aware that to purchase Doves from pet stores or garden centres to release on your occasion will not be the same as using a trained Rock Dove, and is cruel. Most of these Doves have little or no homing instinct and unless the birds are trained by a professional, once released they will perish in the wild! Another thing to avoid is to use a company that will offer to send or deliver your Doves for self release. This shows that the birds have not been trained and may not find their way home, and they usually arrive after travelling overnight in a small cardboard box with no food, water or after care. These Doves will look awful on your photographs.....that is assuming they have not flown away whilst you are transfering them from the box into your baskets ready for your event!
As well as this, the release will not be as effective if not done by someone who is used to handling Doves, crowds of excited people and busy photographers!
NB: Anyone using fantail/garden doves (or any untrained birds) could find themselves prosecuted by the RSPCA for cruelty.
Wedding venues & funeral directors are now becomng aware of this practice and the "dove release" may be reported as the Doves just hang around the grounds until they either starve or become cruely killed by hawks.
The RSPCA will be informed of anyone releasing such birds into the wild.
We have a few fantails amongst our flock; these have been rescued following irresponsible release at weddings/funerals. We have given them a good home, and they are happy to stay with us. We will under no circumstances use these for display purposes, as unlike our rock doves, will not stretch their wings during a fly home, so we consider this not to be in the best interest of the dove. Also as their tails are very large and bushy, it could cause discomfort when they try to move within the confines of a small space.
There was a case just recently where the father of the bride arranged a "dove release" at Castell Coch. The Doves were purchased from a local breeder and let out of a basket to fly straight onto the rooftop - the wedding guests were horrified, and the family was reported to the RSPCA by the groundsman of the castle.
We would advise you not to have doves at your wedding if your budget will not stretch to you using the services of a professional, legal company.
Environmentally Friendly too!
We use recycled wood to build many of our lofts and to insulate the interior of all our lofts. The manure is collected and used on allotments to help grow flowers and vegetables.