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Billy - that cocktail of steroids is going to knock you for six. The most important thing (as you say), is to try to keep positive. Makes a huge difference. All the best.

Damn - as you say, sod's law. I wish I'd shown her the pics earlier - she couldn't believe it when I told her. I hope you manage to find them all good homes. If still around in June, I'll definitely let my friend know. Thanks for your efforts contacting your daughter.

Excellent quality. I also really like the white one to the left of it in the distance.

I've forwarded the pics on to a friend who's fallen in love with No3. She's in Bristol though but suggested she could travel!! Where are you?

These are excellent DOVEScot. Very nice. Looking forward to seeing a pic of the mahogany and slate one if you can manage it.

Phil - that's a really good idea - best of both worlds! I'll send you a PM. David

Crikey, Phil, that's big! Probably as big as my garden. haha Look really sold though and excellent for the warm weather (I had to stick an electrinc fan through the window as it was so hot yesterday. Pidge was sat in his bath :-) Am still undecided about the caging - still can't feel right about it, but I might see about building an aviary for the side though. More work on the shed over the weekend - with the vents, it's starting to look a bit less like a potting shed. The neighbours are bound to cotton on soon ;-) (goofy)(goofy) Stuart - many thanks for the supplier details. Having done loads of Google searches I never found those! Will pop along to Roger's Pets after work and see if I can get some stuff. Will contact AE James and hopefully go see some sputniks just to see what's there. As for your bird offer, I'm speechless and will PM you.

Well, fair play to the people at the garage and definitely fair play to you for collecting. Fingers crossed that the bird pulls through. Hope he just needs care and feeding.

Very nice sentiment with the Westie suggestion. Many thanks. But they're not for me I'm afraid. Just been drilling big holes in the side of the shed to make ventilation (putting covers over the top). Pidge didn't mind too much about all the noise of the drilling. However, when he thought I was taking some peanuts away from him (I was actually putting a few more on his perch) - he nearly had my hand off. lol ;D

I don't pretend to know about ETS an all that. I'll probably never be into serious racing (my garden isn't big enough), and, what can I possibly know with one bird (and hopefully a second on the way). Maybe after 55 years of experience I can give my opinion. For the time being, it's a case of listening to you guys.

Maybe pigeons prefer traditionalists? Maybe I do. I've had help from all quarters here, but I believe it's a traditional sport.

Vic - I'm sorry we had a difference earlier, and I totally realise it was my fault. Seriously (after seeing other posts you've made about the sport). I've had help from other secret ingredients! Could I sell them at a good price too? My cure is more long lasting and the results speak for themselves ;-)

I have absolutely no doubt that he had a great loft originally. Even surer after speaking to his originator today. But I'm convinced he'll stay here. However, he's definitely going to have hen. He needs the company, and I'll ensure that happens :-)

I didn't ask him, but I know from net research, they use strains of Busschaert and Van Loons. He's always been a slim and lithe bird, so I guess he's whatever comes closest. I have to say again what a gentleman the man was. A pleasure to talk with. Leave me? After two years of him coming to my garden every day, and a month's intensive care in my house? After time in his newly built shed, and with me spending time every day in there with him? I'd like to say 'surely not', but I totally respect what you say, as I'm still totally green in all of this. I'll PM you ASAP, as I have too many questions to ask here. Cheers :-)

Goncas001, your work is excellent ;-) Well done.

Many thanks. Have just spoken to the man who bred him in Ireland. Very helpful, and a real gentleman.

Quick update: Last night was his first night in his new shed. An improvement on the hutch :-) Additional fixtures and fittings imminent:

I'm happy to write something - but probably safest to wait until he's outside and I know he's not going to fly off and not come home (otherwise it makes it a bit of an anti climax). I'll be trying to source a young hen for him very soon. Thanks for your kind comments. Thanks Phil. I PMd Stuart yesterday, so once he visits the site again, hopefully he'll be able to point me in the right direction.

A young hen?

Morning Jase, welcome - I'm a newcomer myself. You should get plenty of help and advice here. I'm a big Kath & Kim fan, if that's any help! Ploise!! Good luck - best wishes.

I literally had to put a tea towel over him this morning to put him back in the hutch! The noise was something!

Oh my goodness! The pressure is really on. Shed arrived on Friday, and although it's up, I need to do a bit more banging before pidge can go in there. There's the small issue of getting perches, a feeder and a sputnik. I was trying to find out if I could get these from a local supplier in or around the Bristol area, but haven't been able to, so will order from the web tomorrow. All this is happening whilst the pigeon is still indoors, and I know he's fully recovered and ready to go out because he was hooting, kicking and almost pecking me when I tried to get him down off the top shelf in my kitchen this morning. He might even have to go into the shed before it's totally finished. Can't believe how strong he is. Bit of a change from when he was as light as a feather and could hardly walk!

So - perches! Presumably at roughly window height so that they can just flip over on to them once they get in? I'm assuming that they shouldn't be too low down? Should food and water be around sputnik height too?

Many thanks for the reply Jimmy - and everyone else. Some internet shopping coming my way tomorrow, so by the time the shed is up, I can fit everything else - inside and out!!! Once pidge is out in the shed, it'll be a turning point for him - and me

Sorrry, Phil - took me a while as the phone went! Sent now