Pigeons were originally kept to provide fresh meat - though their eggs and manure were also valued - but their importance had declined by the 18th century with the increase in numbers of other livestock. As pigeons tended to help themselves to crops and could eat their own weight in corn every day, during the medieval period the keeping of pigeons was usually restricted as a manorial right - and the construction of a dovecote indicated the high status of its owner.
Dovecotes can be free standing or in lofts or built into the outside of a building , built into the gable end.
Note the landing platforms.