Pigeon in chimney!

[Peckedhen]

I surely can't be the first this has happened to - I'm pretty sure that one of my young birds has fallen down the chimney!  I was one short last night after loft flying and this morning I've come down to soot everywhere!  

 

How on earth do I get it out?  I can't see up the chimney - it's not a wide one so don't know if the bird is near the top or lower down. If I got a chimney sweep would the brush push it back up? Would the fire brigade help?

 

HELP!!

[samantha]

oh bugga pecked !! hmm i dunno, the fire brigade may charge you, im not sure, id say the chimney sweep would know what to do, id ring him

[Guest Paulo]

Don't know if brushing the crimmey would help might just damage the bird. Can you hear the bird in the crimmey? The only way of getting it out might be to unbrick the crimmey either way if you are sure the birds in there I would consult a sweep or the fire brigade as they are the pros at this sort of thing

[Roland]

Gas board will dismantle and allow the bird out for Free.... But then of course won't reconnect unless paid.

Fire Brigade no longer do it, Well in this area any way.

[Tony C]

RSPCA ?

[Roland]

Gas board will dismantle and allow the bird out for Free.... But then of course won't reconnect unless paid.

Fire Brigade no longer do it, Well in this area any way.

Gas board do it as it is deemed a 'Health  / safty matter'

[samantha]

any joy yet pecked have you called the sweep yet?  are you sure its in there we had a thunderstorm last night, that could be responsible for the soot? and your bird could be just late home,

[ACE LOFTS]

in the winter months i dont let my birds out so come december i let them back out again any way last year my fed winner went missing after 1st time let out for loft flying, i thought it was strange so 1 week later a nabough "i no speling" came round and said theres a pigeon flying around in here front room so i went round and got it. then this year around june time 1 of my youngens fell down a chimney my next door neiabough's so i went round there and had to dismanter her fire place and took the bird out.

 

so yeh iv had it 2's

[Peckedhen]

Thanks everyone. Yep, the bird is definitely in the chimney - some droppings and feathers as evidence!!  I've tried two sweeps with no luck. It is an open fire so the gas board isn't applicable. Not sure what my next move is!!  If it doesn't come down it's going to have a slow death! :'(

[Guest Vic]

A local experienced builder should be able to determine where the bird is in the

chimney.It may necessitate the removal of a few interior bricks. Best of luck! Vic.

[Roland]

It will in that case probably come down the rest of the way.... known most that do / did

[Pompey Mick]

The pigeon is probably sitting on the throat of the chimney where it is angled to induce a draught, this is normally about 6 feet below the pot.

I have rescued two pigeons from mine and a neighbours chimney by climbing up th the chimney and lowering a piece of batten with a cross brace as a perch and hoisted them out. If you know any roofers they could help. Failing that if it's an open fireplace the bird will normally, after a couple of days, emerge from the grate, thirsty, hungry & dirty.

[Glassfeather]

I had this happen a couple of times at the place I used to live. First time it was a young hen. There were multiple fireplaces in the house with different pots leading to different fireplaces, fortunately this hen went down an upstairs chimney, I called the fire brigade and they came, on a sunday evening, with an engine and a device to detect her body heat, yes she was in the chimney, no they couldn't get her out. They didn't charge me, but I think they could have, and some might. We all had cups of tea and a laugh about it. She could hear me, and I eventually talked her down, letting her hear running water and the rattle of feed. She was a bit sooty but ok. Next time was less fortunate, another hen, but she was in one of the main downstairs chimneys. Called a chimney sweep, he brought her down with his brush, alive but choked and blinded with soot, died in my hands as I tried to clean her.

Third time, an adult cock, also came down a downstairs chimney but this one wasn't used. He spent three days up there, I pushed him down myself with a plastic bottle of water tied to the washing line, came out flying, went back to the nest, quite happy, made a mess in the dining room.   After that I enquired about capping the chimneys but ended up making a wire mesh insert. Kept the pigeons out but provided an ideal site for a crows' nest, they kept the hawk away so it was all good.  

 

 

 

 

[barlbylofts]

i have had a bird or two down the chimny they find the way down to the bottom after a day or two.the only thing is we have a gas fire,lucky anough im a corgi reg plumber so could take the fir out then reconect it my self

 

barlbylofts

[Peckedhen]

Amazing photos of the fire brigade - I was going to phone them but, 'he who thinks he should be obeyed' put his foot down (He's afraid it'll cost him! >)

 

Well, fingers crossed the bird  comes down tomorrow. I'd tried rattling the feed can but it didn't work and just now pouring some water. The fireplace is open but, after the mess of all the fallen soot this morning, I've taped newsaper over the opening. :-/

 

I'll definitely get the chimney capped after this - talk about shutting the stable door after the horse has bolted!! :

[THE FIFER]

had a white one down the chimney, did'nt know until it came back looking like a barless mealy, then one of my nabours told me she had to get the gas board in as there was a nios behind her fire, it was a pigeon they got it out and let it go, i did'nt tell her it was one of mine, the bird will eventually get down to the bottom, what about the rspca, they should do something,

[Peckedhen]

I rang the RSPCA , they are coming to rescue the bird today - I'll let you know the outcome.

[THE FIFER]

yes thought they would,

[samantha]

hope it goes well pecked

 

rather enjoyed the fireman pics greame  ;D ;D ;D :

[Peckedhen]

Hmm, just had phone call from RSPCA, don't know when they'll get to me but advise me to put some food and a bright light in fireplace and the pigeon will come down. They have no way of getting the bird unless they can reach it by hand up the chimney!!  She assured me the bird will come down...yeah but, I want it down alive!!

 

Chocolate fireguard springs to mind!! :-/

[Glassfeather]

Yes, now I realise why my missus rushed in to get the camera.....

[Glassfeather]

Is she definately out of reach? As I said, first time it happened, the hen was in an upstairs chimney, but when I eventually reached in and got her she was perched within arms reach, though out of sight. Have you tried shining a torch up there to see if she is at least visible? Maybe I'm stating the obvious....

[Peckedhen]

Yes, definitely.  I've even put a plastic bag over me hair and stuck me head right up the chimney as far as I could. ;D I can get my arm up the to first shelf and he's not on there.  Thanks anyway. :K)

[samantha]

any news this morning, it must be so fustrating  :-/

[Peckedhen]

Well, the poor thing is still hanging in there...I can't leave it any longer - a chimney sweep is coming first thing in the morning and, if bringing it down suffocates it, at least it puts an end to it's suffering - it must be terribly dehydrated and hasn't eaten since Sunday. :'( :'(