Racing Pigeon Plucking

[daisygirl30]

I recently found a racing pigeon on the side of the road who looked like he had been attacked by a hawk. We nursed him back to health and he is doing really well. We found the owners, but they wouldn't return any calls to us. He is now registered to us.

I am somewhat new to pigeons and noticed that he is plucking his neck feathers. I am looking to get him a companion, because he is somewhat fiesty but I don't want to put another pigeon in with him until I make sure he is okay. I just looked him over well, and there doesn't seem to be a sign of mites. Does anyone have some information for me?

[kalapati]

Originally Posted by daisygirl30

I recently found a racing pigeon on the side of the road who looked like he had been attacked by a hawk. We nursed him back to health and he is doing really well. We found the owners, but they wouldn't return any calls to us. He is now registered to us.

I am somewhat new to pigeons and noticed that he is plucking his neck feathers. I am looking to get him a companion, because he is somewhat fiesty but I don't want to put another pigeon in with him until I make sure he is okay. I just looked him over well, and there doesn't seem to be a sign of mites. Does anyone have some information for me?

the bird may just be dropping it's neck feathers because of molt season.


kalapati
San Diego
http://loftdekalapati.mypets.ws:81/Jview.htm

[daisygirl30]

I was hoping that that was all it was. I inspected him to see if he had parasites and I didn't see any sign of anything. I have noticed a lot of feathers on the ground in the last week or two, but around his neck seems to be worse. I am anxious to get him companion and I didn't want to subject her to any parasites or sickness. I thank you very much for your time and input

Jen

[Lovebirds]

I too think the bird is just molting. Pigeons aren't really pluckers....not to themselves anyway.
Where are you located? Any leads as to where you might find another pigeon?

[daisygirl30]

Thank you for your response as well I am located in Apopka, Fl. I buy all of my feed and animal supplies from a small locally owned feed store here. I recently went in and noticed a pigeon that I fell in love with immediately. I entertained the thought of getting a companion for Eros, but he is somewhat aggressive when he is in his coop. When we take him out, he settles down. I guess that is his right, since it is his place. I was worried about how he would respond to another bird, but I think it will be good for him. I went into the feed store again yesterday, and she is still there. She is stuck in a small cage and has been there for quite a while. I am going to pick her up on Thursday I am so excited!! I would love to be able to fly him, but am very hesitant because of his original injury by what looked to be a hawk. Do you think it will be a problem introducing them? Should I just put her in and observe, or should I put her in a seperate cage next to his first?

[Lovebirds]

Originally Posted by daisygirl30

Thank you for your response as well I am located in Apopka, Fl. I buy all of my feed and animal supplies from a small locally owned feed store here. I recently went in and noticed a pigeon that I fell in love with immediately. I entertained the thought of getting a companion for Eros, but he is somewhat aggressive when he is in his coop. When we take him out, he settles down. I guess that is his right, since it is his place. I was worried about how he would respond to another bird, but I think it will be good for him. I went into the feed store again yesterday, and she is still there. She is stuck in a small cage and has been there for quite a while. I am going to pick her up on Thursday I am so excited!! I would love to be able to fly him, but am very hesitant because of his original injury by what looked to be a hawk. Do you think it will be a problem introducing them? Should I just put her in and observe, or should I put her in a seperate cage next to his first?

Yea, put her in a cage close to Eros and let them get to know each other. IF Eros is truly a male, he can get quite agressive with a new hen. Nothing that he won't get over, and it's just their nature. You also need to be sure that the new bird isn't sick in any way. We usually recommend a month of isolation, but you can observe the new bird for a week or so and see how she looks and acts. IF she has anything contagious to Eros, you certainly don't want to make him sick. Really depends on the background of the new bird, and if you can get any info on it, that might be helpful.

[daisygirl30]

I absolutely love this forum. I have looked at it often, but have just gotten around to joining. I don't know if I should post another thread somewhere else, or just ask here while I am inquiring about Eros. I have two other questions

The pigeon I am looking to get as a companion for him, is indeed a female, but she is white with a black face that is somewhat flattened. I have never seen a pigeon liker her before. I am trying to research her breed before I buy her, as I want to be sure that they are going to be okay together. I will not breed them, as there are too many unwanted animals in the world already (although I know that this will probably lead to having to destroy the eggs). I am having trouble locating information on her breed.

Also, I want to start including veggies or other foods into his diet. He has been on only grain and seed, and I have just read that that should only be 50% of his diet. Any suggestions on what to feed him and how to start incorporating it?

Again, I appreciate all of your input! I just want to make sure that I do this the right way He was a lucky bird who was hurt on the side of the road and I just happened to see him. There was a lot of traffic and we are lucky he didn't get hit by a car. I managed to capture him and treat him, and since I have taken on him as a responsibility I want to make sure he is happy and healthy!

Thanks,
Jen

[Lovebirds]

Jen, others will be along to help answer your questions. I'm on my way out the door to go to the dentist.......UGHHH!!!

[daisygirl30]

Ewe! Good luck

[Trees Gray]

Also, I want to start including veggies or other foods into his diet. He has been on only grain and seed, and I have just read that that should only be 50% of his diet. Any suggestions on what to feed him and how to start incorporating it?

Hi Jen,

I'm not sure what your other question is...but here is an answer to the above question.

Pigeons eat mostly a seed and legume diet, nothing more. They need the nutrition that is in the pigeon seed diet, and there are a whole bunch of different grains/seeds.

However, you can give them a snack of greens, possibly kale, spinach, carrots, and endive. They can eat these in small quantities, a few times a week. If you give too much they can get very watery poop. Make sure to wash the vegies first.

The so called "plucking" can be an area that he can't get to, and he may have some blood sucking mites, you can't really see them either. But if you try a product like Scatt and the neck feathers grow back in several weeks, you know it was mites.

[daisygirl30]

Thank you very much! My other questions is that I am trying to look up breed info on the companion that I am considering getting for Eros. She is a white pigeon with a black and somewhat flat face. She has a smaller beak that is curled downward. I am having trouble finding information on her and want to make sure that they are going to do well together. I am not going to breed them.

Thanks,
Jen

[Trees Gray]

I really couldn't tell you exactly what type of bird this is from your description (it sounds cute..though ), unless you post a picture of it. it could be a type of roller or other breed, or even a combination of two breeds. any black anywhere else on the bird?

[daisygirl30]

No other black and yes, she if very cute. I fell in love with her the moment I saw her. I have been debating getting him a companion because he is somewhat aggressive. Who couldn't blame him though since he was once a racing pigeon, and now since he was attacked, he is in a cage. It is a quite large cage for him though She is completely white except for her black face. On top of her head, where the white feather meet the black feathers, her white feathers stand up a bit. She has a very flat face and a much shorter beak that is not straight. It curves downward. I can post a pic of her sometime soon. She is at the local feed store and has been there for a while. Chris, the owner, takes good care of his animals, but she is in a small cage with two other birds. I would like to give her a good home and Eros some companionship at the same time I don't know if it matters that they are two different breeds as long as one is male and one is female. Again, I will not breed them. No babies for us

[Trees Gray]

It really doesn't matter if they are different breeds, unless the dominent bird outsizes the other, that could create issues.

I think it is wonderful you are giving this bird a home and a friend for your rescue. Thank you.

[Trees Gray]

This is the pigeon that pops in my head when I read your description, but it looks different from your description and has a matching color tail.

Scroll down....

http://www.feathersite.com/Poultry/Pigeons/BRKNuns.html