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Phil - as ever. Thanks. I've PMd

I feel really embarassd to ask this question on here as it's so basic (if you'll excuse the pun). The shed arrived today, and I'm waiting for a good dry day to put it up. I took two days off work to be there for the shed delivery and to fix my fence, and make sure the base is fine. It's a long story!! I'd really appreciate any advice you can give me. I'll have the new and empty shed 6x4 shed for pidge in the next day or so. The front of the shed has space for three windows (I certainly won't put windows in). I know I need to make it airy with vents, etc. But, could I ask a few questions? 1. What should I put in the spaces where the windows go? 2. Should I get a sputnik for the middle space? I've never even seen a sputnik in operation, but I'll work that out in time 3. Inside: What should I have in there? What should I put on the floor? Do I need heating? What sort of perches, and should I get nesting boxes? Any ideas on the best place to buy all this from? I told you they were stupid questions! Sorry to be boring when you've probably known this for years. For me, it's all new! As always, grateful for any advice or tips. PS: Have definitely decided to get pidge a girlfriend. I'll be asking where to but a bird from later. I'm so embarassed I don't know any of this.

I think you're right, Billy - the sort of scum that would do something like this need harsh punishment. It's the only way these no brains learn.

Quick update. 6x4 shed ordered (delivery 5-10 working days) :-) Taking a couple of days off this week to make way for it! I'm going to scour the forum for tips on adaptions 8)

At the end of the day, this golfer killed a bird because it was interrupting his lucrative TV broadcast. Quite different from trying to protect his birds though IMO. The guy's got absolutely no defence. If he'd done the same to a pigeon constantly getting into shot, I'm sure the animal rights people would have reacted the same way.

Working very nice on Firefox and on Safari using a Mac ..and that's my 100th post 8)

Many thanks, Merlin - and Peckedhen too. Phil, that one looks excellent, but it's beyond my price range unfortunately. I've been looking around the garden centres and saw a nice 6x4 that I think I can make a loft with. Shame it hasn't got a sllding door like the one in the link, but it does have three windows which I can remove and get a trap sorted. I'm going to have a final internet search, and order something this weekend. Hopefully it'll all then come together :)

Well, he's taken over my kitchen - he might as well take over my garden as well Thanks to great people on this forum - if it has to be a hen to make him feel good - a hen he must have Right - order of play has to be shed, pidge, then a mate. Sounds nice. Hope I can ask for advice on the shed and then where to get another bird!! Daunting for me, but not that bad with experts around

Phil - that's made me feel better. Now..... I need to do some serious research on internal fittings for the shed. Thought I'd post the latest before and after photos - to record his progress (for me as much as anything) The 'after' shot is about three day ago, but before anyone says he's still looking thin - he's getting better by the day (as he's eating and eating).. Here goes: Before: After:

But, Phil - don't they wonder where the babies are? Does it distress them when you remove the dummy eggs, or what? Am I thinking too much about this? Crikey!

Thanks very much for the latest comments. I am now decided that I really need a shed. If I'm going to be totally honest, I really can't afford anything too big or sophisticated, but I really want to get something that pidge can spread his wings in - and more importantly, something he can get in and out of easily (by having a safe trap, etc). I'm having to go slowly, because I'm a total novice, and at the moment I don't really want to go down the road of getting a hen, and ending up with dozens of pigeons. I can't cull any, and want to be responsible. If I get a shed and work on it to make it nice, and if I'm able to get a young cock bird or two, would that be ok? Can you have cocks birds together without a hen? I don't want pidge to spend the rest of his life on his own and want him to be content after all of what's happened. Does this make sense?

Phil - as ever, thanks for the advice

What an absolutely disgusting act by a spineless and sick excuse for a human being. Not only to destroy your property, but to inflict that suffering on your birds, and the possibility of what could have happened with the loft being so close to your house. I'm so sorry about what's happened to you, and hope they manage to catch the *expletive removed*. Keep your chin up ??)

Hi!! No, not yet, as he only just finished all his medication, and I've been trying to get something suitable for him to go outside in (ie something high enough to place the hutch on, as I have no wall space - it's either that or a shed, which is going to take me a couple of weeks to sort/pay for). But I'm aware that every day he's not in his outside space is a day less getting used to being out there, etc. Don't know what you suggest, but was planning on an outside flight on the weekend, when I'm there all day to monitor him and his return. IF he returns Am really wanting to get a shed sorted though. Wish I could just get one up in an hour :D

Well, I don't know about that, but I appreciate your comments. I'm chuffed that he's well. I was late for work this morning, as he was flying around the kitchen, and I couldn't catch him : :D It's made focus on getting a proper space for him outside Cheers.

Cool. I give him about 5-6 a day, but they go into quarters, as whole ones are a bit much for him to handle. He loves 'em He's all over the hutch when it's his feed time. He bobs around all over the place - neck stretched high. It's great to see

Just great, thanks! He's eating, drinking and looking really well. Feeding him up as he needs to add weight, but he's totally alert now, and really keen to fly (in fact he flies around the room and can be a bit of a handful). I'm currently looking around for an affordable shed I can convert into a loft for him. The hutch will have to do for the time being. I think we can mark this down as a success story

Quickie update: He's getting skittish, and I'm going to put him and his house in the garden either over the weekend, or early next week. I gave him his tablet and put him on the kitchen floor and left the room for a few minutes. When I returned, he'd flown onto the kitchen table, and was about to take off again when I got hold of him. He's stretching wings and preening himself. His feathers are a lot tighter The strict routine so that he knows what's what starts in earnest - so it's now the next phase - and a learning curve for me.

Vic - just saw your post. Now, this sort of language with a word of warning would have been very nice in the first place - particularly to a complete novice like me. Despite mainly positive encouragement from people here - when someone who has a wealth of experience like yourself says something fairly blunt, you tend to go with that, and almost convince yourself that you're onto a loser. Almost... but I never really doubted he'd recover. Call it blind optimism, of you like. I'm not a youngster, so I know the world isn't a totally rosy place, but I do give 100% for something I believe in. It means a lot that someone with your experience can see that he's getting better, and that he's not 'a gonna' Many thanks

Thanks for all your comments. He's been sleeping most of the day previously, but he's still awake, and looking around! Blanket over his house, and one for me, I think. Cheers for now

Shame you can't train the peregrine to enter an empty loft so that you could give him a talking to :X

Cheers Stuart. He's on two a day, but I promise I'm reducing the portions The pro-bio yoghurt helped to reduce the mess, and he likes the taste of strawberry (joke!!). Many thanks

Indeed I guess he did look pretty bad at the beginning: But, it's great what a bit of care and attention (and great advice from many people here) can do:

..and a big thank you to Susan (REDCHEQHEN) whose behind the scenes help, advice and medication has been totally invaluable. Loads of others who have PMd me also get my gratitude

You saw pics of the pigeon a week ago (and he looked a lot worse than this in other pics I've got). He hardly had a neck before: Here are the latest ones, taken this evening: For me, this is a brilliant transformation. He's eating and drinking really well, moving fast - and flew into his house today ;D He continues to make vast improvements by the day. Thanks again to all those who have offered support and advice so far