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Many thanks for your post. At the end of the day, my only concern is to do my best for this fella - after about 2 years of roughing it, at least he's not going to be ripped apart by a cat - and as of Friday, that could well have happened as he wasn't doing much at all. Over the latter part of the weekend, he was running around the kitchen and picking up a good speed. He was looking through the door into the garden, and looked like he wanted to get out. This involved him clambering over piles of trainers and under a make-shift curtain I'd put up to keep him in If the worst does happen - and I'll admit now that the seed of doubt has been planted - at least he won't be a cat's plaything Hi. He had his first night in the hutch I got for him last night. He was clawing to get out at first, but settled down fairly soon after. The hutch is in the kitchen, and as it's pretty big, it's like an obstacle course in there He had plenty of food this morning, and is drinking. I think he'd like to be out in the kitchen, but as I'm in work, that's clearly dangerous (and I want him to get used to the hutch). If he gets through this, I'm thinking of a shed with a proper trap, etc. Stuart (swilcox) has kindly offered to have a look at him - and he's off to see him tonight. Once I've treated him with whatever he needs, it's kind of down to him. Cheers for inquiring - and to all those who've PMd about his condition and sharing knowledge/advice.

Thanks for that >

Thanks Merlin - swilcox has indeed kindly offered to look him over for me, and I'm going to be making contact to do that. Thanks again for your help

2nd pic:

Am I allowed to swear? Probably not, so all I'll say is that I'm totally thrilled. This is the best news, and I promise to continue to look after him. I've triied to get some appertex and wormer (that's where I've been most of the afternoon), but the shop was closed. I'm going to try again tomorrow. However, I did manage to get some proper pigeon food and I've got a tonic in his water too. Having eaten hardly anything since at least Friday, he's now been eating for over 15 minutes, and he's been trying to get into my living room!! He's definitely looking much brighter and it's brilliant to see him eating so well. ;D Here's a couple of pics I've just taken. The kitchen floor looks like a war zone, and I'll be vacuuming for weeks ;D The help and advice I've received from everyone here has been amazing, and I want to thank you. I'll be sticking around here though. Here's greedy :

I totally understand that not everyone has or uses the internet. I have the utmost respect for people in the sport and their dedication. I'm keeping my fingers crossed that the owner allows me to keep this lovely bird with whom I've grown terribly fond. I've fed him for two years and have spend the past 4 days with him in my house trying to get him better and keeping him safe. If I'm allowed to keep him, I'll keep him safe for the rest of his life. But, I appreciate that it's the owner's decision.

Thanks. It's definitely going to be well off the ground, and quite close to the house, which should put off cats, etc. He's still in the kitchen at the moment though. Nice and warm in there He hasn't touched his food yet, but has had a drink. If the pigeon supply shop is open, I'm going to get some appertex and a wormer - also some proper food. Hoping that'll help him.

After two years out in the cold, he deserves to be spoilt!! ;-)

Another lovely post! He only spend one night in the garage, and the last two days in my kitchen! He's nice and warm in there!!! He'll stay in the kitchen as long as it takes to get him better ;-)

No. The last I heard, he was going to contact me (contacted through forum) but nothing yet. I didn't want to speak directly, as I didn't know what to say!

What a nice post! If he pulls through, he'll be with me for life!

Thanks for the posts - if people think it is cocci, I can get some appertex tomorrow - thanks to a supplier tip-off

I made a lame attempt at doing this - I think he knew I meant business. I popped him on some newspaper which had a lot of the tipped over seeds on it, and guess what? He started pecking at them. At first I thought he was putting them into his beak, and dropping them out, but I've watched carefully, and he's definitely had some of them. I put the bowl of water next to him then he gulped a big load down. This is a definite improvement! But I'm not getting my hopes up yet

Many thanks. Do I just force his mouth open and push them in? He won't choke will he?

Thanks. Yes I've tried him with seed, but he's not that interested. He did stick his head in the bowl and moved it around, but not sure he took any. There was a piece of bread on the floor, and he walked up to that and had a peck, but again, not sure if he ate it. I've put some sugar in the water

Many thanks for the PM, but I have news! Just been into the kitchen he's walking around, pecking at the kitchen floor. He got quite excited when the back door opened, and is now standing by the door looking into the garden. He actually flapped his wings! Now, I've got the hutch/home sorted, but am now at a loss what to do. Should I let him out of the house, or keep him in? Crikey!

Sorry to be a nuisance, but as he hasn't eaten (he does have a drink when I offer it to him), I'm worried that he's just going to starve. Is there anything I can force on him? Is there anything safe and nutritious? I've mailed an avian vet (thanks to clockman), and have PMd a local member to me. But I feel so helpless just watching him sat there. His droppings are wet, a bit slimy, greenish colour. Thanks for looking.

Hi. He's still with us, but I'm concerned that whist he's been taking a few glugs of water, I haven't seen him eating. He looked interested in some peanuts last night (I broke them up for him), but I don't think he actually ate them. Clockman kindly referred me to an avian vet in Cheshire, and I've mailed him for advice. I live in Bristol.

Cheers for the hutch comments, guys. He's still puffed out, and not doing much - he's been in the garage all day, of course. I've caused household strife and have brought him into the kitchen as it's really cold out there. He's sitting on a box in a tray under the table, with a blanket over the table so that he feels safe. He's really puffed out though, as you can see from the pic. He's on one leg (although has been using both). What to do?

Thanks, Phil. I also bought a thick plastic cover with a roll-up front for that very purpose! Sun you say? I don't remember what that looks like ;-)

Thanks, Phil. I also bought a thick plastic cover with a roll-up front for that very purpose! Sun you say? I don't remember what that looks like ;-)

I'll try to get a pic of the pigeon's condition including droppings later, but I've just come in from the cold wind after putting together the hutch I bought for him. It was the least like a hutch I could find (drove for miles to get it). There's quite a lot of room in there. Ignore the fact that it's on the ground - I'm going back out in a moment to put the stand together. It takes it quite high up. Hope pigeon starts feeling better and that he likes his shelter!

I'll try to get a pic of the pigeon's condition including droppings later, but I've just come in from the cold wind after putting together the hutch I bought for him. It was the least like a hutch I could find (drove for miles to get it). There's quite a lot of room in there. Ignore the fact that it's on the ground - I'm going back out in a moment to put the stand together. It takes it quite high up. Hope pigeon starts feeling better and that he likes his shelter!

Great advice. Thanks! That's got me worried I'm off to buy a home for him anyway, and if the worst happens, at least he'll be safe.

Great advice. Thanks! That's got me worried I'm off to buy a home for him anyway, and if the worst happens, at least he'll be safe.