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Hey, thanks for the offer. Not much prospect of me being able to get a loft yet, so I'll pass on the birds. I'd like to rectify this at some point, but not really a runner at the moment :-/

You're amazing being able to look into the future, as you say you know what the outcome will be. Use these amazing powers to tell me the winning lottery numbers on Wednesday or Saturday, and I'll believe you.This bird hasn't been feral for 4 years. You may suspect he'll only walk around his run and never really fly again, but you are totally wrong there.

Thanks for that I will get the phone out for another update pic, ASAP. I had a go with a bath yesterday (even put garlic in), but he just walked through it, and wasn't too interested in the splash. Having said that, it was indoors. At least he's got clean feet I ended splashing him :D ;D That made me laugh. Yep, it IS a fairly big hutch (probably more chance of fitting the run in the hutch rather than the other way round. lol).

Hi He's eating really well, and drinking too - doesn't require any coaxing. He's on two feeds a day. His droppings this morning looked much better - hardly any green in there, and not slimy. Has the odd 'loose stool' but hardly anything. He went into the garden yesterday (in the guinea pigs' run - the GPs weren't in there at the time ), and he loved the sun. He was trying to get out at first, and I'm sure he'd have flown off if I'd let him go. I'm going to finish his medication before moving him outside, and training him to know that's his new place. With any luck he'll come back when I finally let him out I'm very positive

Please do not presume that my needs are any greater than this bird's. 4 years is not necessarily old age in the pigeon world - particularly if I'm more interested in the quality of its life rather than the quality of its racing potential. To kill a bird that has a chance of a good recovery is not, in my view, and honourable thing to do.

Many thanks for the tip there He's just eating his food with a teaspoon of bio yoghurt mixed in. I rattled some bottles together just before feeding him - I think the neighbours think I've been attacked Have just had a bit of a struggle with the little darling. He's been trying to fly out of the door (which was closed), and I got to him in time to make sure he didn't hit himself. Normally the wooden blinds are down, so although he looks through it, he doesn't attempt anything. He also tried to fly back into his hutch as I had the top off. I think this demonstrates he's got a lot more energy, but also means I have to keep on my toes I think he's desperate for a fly out

Wasn't Paddy the name of the pigeon that warned of the Normandy landings in the war? Got a medal for services to the country? Or am I dreaming that?

:D ;D ;D

That's a nice story His droppings are hard to describe really. They've firmed up (they were slimy and clear then greenish before) and now are a bit more sludgy to thick. There's a bit of watery stuff around them too. REDCHEQHEN (Susan) has kindly looked at a sample through a microscope and has had me matching poo samples to try to refine it down. She's made a supreme effort for me.

Surprising how a shed can quickly come to look like a loft Well done, and keep up the good work and improvements. Nice birds ;D

Many thanks, Phil. I've got some nice natural yogurt probiotic and thought I'd give him a go on that. I think there'll be some mess It's his last day on Dr Stuart's tablets today

Morning! I stopped giving him that after the first day, as he wasn't looking too keen on it! I did put a little cider vinegar in his water this morning though. Not sure whether I should have stuck with the tonic though?

Well, it's a week today that the pigeon came into my care, and I won't pretend that he's out of the woods. Sometimes he still looks quite poorly, but other times he's pretty active, alert and flaps around. He regurgitated some food last night - there were a few seeds by him - and a peanut, which has concerned me. He often appears quite docile in the 'hutch', but when he comes out, he's all over the place pecking around. So I don't want to raise any hopes too much (mine included!) Anyway, here's a pic of my lodger, taken lunchtime yesterday

To be honest, I've never heard that much. I knew hardly anything about the pigeon world, but even over the course of a week, I've learnt a lot. Different, of course to actually keeping a number of birds - and mine is in a totally artificial environment (eg -in my kitchen!). You don't need huge numbers of ambassadors in a sport - just a few really good ones. I think there are certainly more than a few in the pigeon fancying world.

I'm still amazed and grateful for all of the interest 'my' little bird has created! "Forum Mascot"? That's the coolest thing - a really nice thought Phil, I was totally ignorant (still am) in the 'care and maintenance' of pigeons, particularly when in a sorry state as this one was. My immediate thought was to get on the net and see if there were any forums around. I found this one first, and can't believe my luck. When you're this keen to help a bird that means a lot to you - you value any advice, tips and support you can get. You ignore or try to put other things to one side. But my overwhelming feeling about this whole forum is a positive one. I've had so many great pieces of advice on the forum, and loads of PMs. I've had personal help from a number of members (totally with no acceptance of any sort of payment, I should add) - because they're kind, helpful people who are happy to help. People who have shown an interest in this one stray pigeon - the help they've given me are excellent ambassadors for their sport/hobby. Not out of the woods yet, but getting there (and definitely another pigeon fan)

Hi mate, thanks for asking! He's doing well and is eating good (a bit slow to eat this morning, but had head in his bowl loads tonight). He's been stretching his wings today and was moving pretty fast around the kitchen! I'm sure he's putting on weight as he felt so light last Friday. Will post a pic tomorrow to celebrate week 1. By the way, droppings being looked at by forum expert :-) Cheers again for taking the time to ask, and to everyone else for the interest. Watch this space for pic :-)

:o :o lol

Good grief! :D The Carry On tradition is live and well in the world of the pigeon ;D I knew what he meant Quick progress report. Popped home lunchtime (not that I'm obsessed or anything). He's only now having one feed in the morning and one in the evening on Stuart's recommendation. But as it was his first day, I was a bit bad and gave him 5 minutes in front of the bowl - let's just say his head didn't come out much (are they all such messy eaters, though?) Took a quick pic before he flapped and nearly got out of my hand. He's certainly not right yet, but from the earlier pics, there's a big improvement. Thanks for everyone's good wishes and help so far

Cheers for that, and enjoy the new birds. I can see how people can get drawn in. If mine pulls through, I don't think it'll end there Perhaps a name change is called for

Cheers for that. He's on tabs that Stuart gave me (wish I'd asked what they are :). By the time I get the half a tab down his throat, it's more like a quarter - whoops! A kind member is also sending me some other meds too, but of course I'll take advice before administering anything. I'm not bothered about doom and gloom merchants - although it stopped me in my tracks a bit at first. But if I think that way, I'd give up.

A nice thought - thanks. A little progress report: He was a bit knackered after going over to Stuart's last night. I took his lid off fairly early this morning, and shoved some food in front of him, which he wasn't taking much notice of. I stuck a couple of peanuts down his throat (I think I'm getting a bit better at this now), I guess this must have woken him up, as he went into his food and had some of that. Perhaps he knows if he doesn't eat, I'll be forcing his beak open again Cheers

Many thanks, Stuart - I may take you up on that

Just a quick thank you to Stuart for the time and advice he gave me tonight. He's got some terrific birds there - brought home to me how far my little fella has to go Totally went out of his way, and gave me some great advice. Many thanks for your time, Stuart

Someone a bit tongue-in-cheek called me Dr Doolittle (in fact, three people did), so it'll be Dr Doolittle meets James Herriott when I come over later