Jim McArthur

So, a racer is a homer who's doing his job! ;D Jim

Ed, I'm really hoping that Homer can get well and fly off to his old life / wife / whatever! If he does find a permanent home with us, I will keep him separately from the racers that I acquire. Jim

Thanks, Hyacinth. I took the bread and suet out of his cage. I'll get him some unsalted peanuts tomorrow! Jim

We're moving in a couple of weeks to a house with a big back yard. And yes, there's going to be a pigeon loft there! ;D Jim

Hello Pigeon Mates, I'm back from Atlanta. "Homer" (the name he's acquired!) is doing well. I'm keeping him in a small animal airline transport box on top of a high cabinet. It's fairly dark but he can get light and plenty of air from the front of the cage, and I covered the floor with bird cage litter and gave him some shredded newspaper for "nest" material. I am feeding him a mixed concoction of cracked corn, wild bird seed mixture, bread crumbs (as in, torn-up bread slices), and suet. So, I guess time will tell. I'm going to keep him for several weeks, and then take him out to the park and see if he's willing and able to reconnect with his old life. If he flies away, I'll be both happy and sad. :'( If he never can make it: I have a pet pigeon. ;D In any case, we'll be moving over the next few months to a house with a much bigger backyard, and you can bet that there's going to be a couple racing pigeons there with us, whether Homer's still with us or not! Jim

Hyacinth, I sent Ms. Clifton an e-message, and she replied that she's going to mail me the material today. Thank you for the lead! Jim

Hyacinth, please send same (his e-mail addy, also, if he has one / you have it), to me at capnwilliam@yahoo.com I'm heading to Atlanta for a few days (business trip; I hate it!) > Jim

I don't fly (yet): I am totally new to the pigeon world. My only pigeon is an injured feral I picked up Friday night! But I remember my father talking enthusiastically about the racing pigeons he kept as a boy, and it got me really interested in the little critters... I would appreciate any contact info you can provide about New Orleans-area clubs, breeders, etc. Please contact me off-line, if you prefer: capnwilliam@yahoo.com And thanks! Jim

Thank you, Hyacinth, I will send her a message right now. :-) Jim

I'm going to bed, too. Have to get up at 5:00. I have till September 14, 2011 to put up with this s*** before I retire. (It's a Wednesday!) ;D ;D ;D Jim

;D ;D ;D I don't hate cats, John, but I hate the way they are so cruel toward other creatures. Sounds as though you taught this one a valuable lesson! Jim

Thanks, Mates! I love this list: just joined today, and am already learning a lot about these wonderful little critters! Jim

What types of pigeons are the easiest for a beginner to start with? Also, what books would you recommend to help a beginner learn about keeping pigeons? Jim

Your daughter is beautiful! And that loft is nicer than some apartments I'VE lived in! ;D Jim

Why, thank you, Alf! I never knew there was a prison there. My grandfather worked in the coal mines as a lad, I know. I don't think there was a lot of crime in the area in those days. I remember a tale he told me as a boy that a local constable was bored with the lack of action: seems he talked a local boy who wasn't any too bright into robbing a grocery store, just so he could make an arrest! The lad's lawyer got the charges dismissed because of police entrapment! ;D Jim

Where in Louisiana are you, Flyer? I'm in New Orleans. Jim

Fifer, I don't have any other birds. My Dad used to keep racing pigeons when he was a boy in upstate Pennsylvania, so I reckon it's always been at the back of my mind. I'm trying to see what I can do for the injured feral. I think this might be the start of a hobby to come! Jim

Great reply, mate! ;D And it DID answer my question! Jim

Lanarkshire: that's where my grandfather came from, in the 1920's. He always spoke of a place called "The Shotts" as being his birthplace. Familiar? I've never been to the Old Country. Jim McArthur

I'm caring for an injured feral bird whose coloration is very similar to the bird in the fourth photo from the top. Could you tell me something about the bird in this photo (and maybe mine, by extension) from his appearance? Gender, breed, etc? Thanks! I know nothing about pigeons: except what I've learned in the past 3 days since I found this bird! Jim McArthur

Thanks, John! (How nice the Internet is: within minutes here in New Orleans I'm replying to a reply from England! ) I hope I can help him recuperate. I won't tell my wife what you said about the growing bird collection! ;D (Though actually, she's worse than I am about such things!) I understand that the pigeon fancy is VERY big in England, is that true? Jim McArthur

What is the difference - or is there one - between a racing pigeon, and a homing pigeon? Or is a racing pigeon merely a homing pigeon used for racing purposes? Jim McArthur

Hello, pigeon friends! As of Thanksgiving night: I have a pigeon! My wife and I found an injured bird while we were walking the dog. It looks as though he was attacked by a cat: his right wing has a hunk of feathers torn out, but he can spread both his wings, just can't get airborne. I'm keeping him in the backyard in a portable pet carrier, and feeding him a commercial blend of wild bird seed. I put alcohol and peroxide on his wing the first couple of days to clean the wound. Any suggestions? My father was a fancier as a boy: a pigeon racer. I'm coming to really like this little guy, even if he's only a feral city pigeon! Jim McArthur