Pigeonbasics.com

Skip back two years, and we started having a regular visitor in our garden - a racing pigeon who let me get near him/her and eat out of my hand.  I learnt that the pigeon was from the Irish Homing Union and I mailed them to tell them the ring number and wanted them to let the owner know it was well.  I didn't receive a reply.

The pigeon comes to the garden nearly every day, but sometimes we won't see it for a few days or even a week or so.  I bought food for it, and put a regular supply for it and the other birds.

I've grown so fond of that pigeon, and I talk to it - nothing too deep, but the odd chat!

Today, it was windy and cold.  I looked out and the pigeon was puffed up, and really close to the house (by the patio).  Didn't look its usual chipper self.  I got my guinea pig run out, put a plastic sheet over it to shelter it from the wind, and put some food outside the run and inside it.  The pigeon went straight in just before it started raining heavily.  I left the run door open so that it was free to go where it wanted.  I opened my back door so that I could keep an eye on it (cats, etc).  20 minutes later, I came back and the pigeon was in the kitchen walking around.  It's still a pit puffed up, and doesn't look over well.  I've put a box in the kitchen with food and water, and it's now perched on the box.  Been there for a few hours.

Not sure what I should do, but my instinct tells me to keep it inside.  It may have to go in the garage later though.

Under the circumstances, am I doing the right thing?

Sorry if this is in the wrong place on the forum.

Hi by the way - as you can tell I'm new and not a fancier - apart from this adopted bird    

if you post the ring number on here it could belong to 1 of the members or 1 might recognise the numbers.....

EVER THOUGHT OF KEEPING PIGEONS?

what food have you got for it?

Quoted from gangster

if you post the ring number on here it could belong to 1 of the members or 1 might recognise the numbers.....

The ring number is: IHU 04 S028157.  Does this mean it's from Ireland and it's 4 years old?  If you or anyone else knows the owner, I'd love them to know he/she is safe.

Quoted from REDFOXKRAUTHS

EVER THOUGHT OF KEEPING PIGEONS?

This pigeon has been so loyal and has come to us for over 2 years - to be honest, I'd love to 'keep' this one.  It must be a free spirit, and so hardy.  It sits on my garden table in the summer, and watches me read the paper and lets me stroke it (most of the time), and in the winter, it perches on my garage and I talk to it.  I think it's a magnificent bird, but clearly lost its way, one day.  I'd like to by a coop so that it's got a proper environment.  If I thought it would use it rather than having to squat somewhere, I'd gladly buy one  

Quoted from pjc

what food have you got for it?

It likes peanuts - the sort you buy for birds, but likes them whole - won't touch them if I break them up.  But the main food it a mix of corn/maize type stuff.  The big bag is in the garage with the bird at the moment.  As it's so rough out there, I won't venture out to check what else is in there.  It says high energy on the back (and it's the stuff that doesn't seed, if you know what I mean).

I'll buy whatever food is best for it, but I'm really ignorant in the pigeon world, as you can tell.

looks like its getting well looked after too me...

Quoted from invalidusername

It likes peanuts - the sort you buy for birds, but likes them whole - won't touch them if I break them up.  But the main food it a mix of corn/maize type stuff.  The big bag is in the garage with the bird at the moment.  As it's so rough out there, I won't venture out to check what else is in there.  It says high energy on the back (and it's the stuff that doesn't seed, if you know what I mean).

I'll buy whatever food is best for me, but I'm really ignorant in the pigeon world, as you can tell.

it sounds to me like the bird knows whats good for it   [well looked after stacks of food] i think your doing alright and thanks for looking after it

all sounds good, they need a reasonable food which it sounds like you have and a supply of clean fresh water.
I  would keep the bird indoors tonight in its box in the warm and see how he is in the morning.
What are its droppings like? are they firm or are they watery?

Phil

Quoted from pjc

all sounds good, they need a reasonable food which it sounds like you have and a supply of clean fresh water.
I  would keep the bird indoors tonight in its box in the warm and see how he is in the morning.
What are its droppings like? are they firm or are they watery?

Phil

Hi Phil.  Hasn't really been doing much either way to be honest.  A sort of fairly firm middle and more watery around the outside.  I realise that this is a stupid description!  

Quoted from invalidusername

The ring number is: IHU 04 S028157.  Does this mean it's from Ireland and it's 4 years old?  If you or anyone else knows the owner, I'd love them to know he/she is safe.



This pigeon has been so loyal and has come to us for over 2 years - to be honest, I'd love to 'keep' this one.  It must be a free spirit, and so hardy.  It sits on my garden table in the summer, and watches me read the paper and lets me stroke it (most of the time), and in the winter, it perches on my garage and I talk to it.  I think it's a magnificent bird, but clearly lost its way, one day.  I'd like to by a coop so that it's got a proper environment.  If I thought it would use it rather than having to squat somewhere, I'd gladly buy one  

By the way, here's a pic of the lovely bird.  Was taken either last summer or the summer before (is currently looking a bit plumper):

if its eating well then give it some warm and a rest and it should be ok.
The droppings tell alot about the health of the bird and if they become green and slimmy then there is a problem and you may need some medication.

Has the bird still got  feathering like this?

Bird  o4 S 028157 is reg to Kildonagh R.P.C.   Dublin  Ireland Secs/ Ph No 01/8484849   or  Mob/086/1553906.

              

Quoted from REDCHEQHEN

Has the bird still got  feathering like this?

No - it's sometimes like this, but on other occasions, it's totally smooth all over - live velvet!

Quoted from REDCHEQHEN

Has the bird still got  feathering like this?

No - it's sometimes like this, but on other occasions, it's totally smooth all over - live velvet!

Quoted from Merlin

Bird  o4 S 028157 is reg to Kildonagh R.P.C.   Dublin  Ireland Secs/ Ph No 01/8484849   or  Mob/086/1553906.

              

Quoted from Merlin

Bird  o4 S 028157 is reg to Kildonagh R.P.C.   Dublin  Ireland Secs/ Ph No 01/8484849   or  Mob/086/1553906.

              

Thanks.  I'll report that the bird is ok and a survivor  

Quoted from pjc

if its eating well then give it some warm and a rest and it should be ok.
The droppings tell alot about the health of the bird and if they become green and slimmy then there is a problem and you may need some medication.

what could be the problem with green slimy droppings got a bird recently with those symptoms

mikkey, does it still have them?
It can be just caused by stress but can be a sign of underlying problems and would sugest getting them tested to know for sure.

Phil