Abandoned Pigeon

[warriec]

i think it should be a homer x modena or homer x king. its a big baby too big for pure homer but does show a modena or king shape. is its tail feathers missing

[Mama]

I do believe the previous owner clipped the tail feathers.
It can fly... sort of... but not high enough to survive in the wild I think.
I doubt you can tell from that photo alone but how old do you think it is?

[warriec]

can you send me a picture of its wing opened. you need to hold its body with one hand and using the other hand open its wing fully. thurn the bird upside down so the legs are facing up, ask someone to photo the wing this way

[Victor]

Judging from looking at the feet at the cere, which is above the beak in the nostril area it appears to be on the younger side. I would guess oh maybe a year or so. Perhaps a breeder with more experience can correct me on this?

[Rooster2312]

What a stunning bird Mama. Thank you so much for taking he/she into your loving home.

I have a pet feral pigeon called Jax, who has made herself very much at home during the past 3 years. Pigeons are such sweet birds with great personalities and I am so proud to say I have a pet pigeon. It's certainly a great talking point and can help educate people about the beauty of these endearing birds.

Good luck with your new bird and welcome to pigeon talk

Lindi

[Mama]

My husband held her tonight and said that she feels very thin.
Is there any specific seeds or treats I could give her to fatten her up quickly?
She's so puffy that I wouldn't even noticed that she was thin...
and I'm still afraid of holding her.

As for the wing picture: what would that determine? Her age?

[Victor]

As posted by Treesa in post 7, check the link that will show you the proper seeds.

I mentioned earlier if you have a name brand pet store such as Pet-Co, they sell a brand called Kaytee Paloma (pigeon) and dove mix. A bag of pigeon seed is less than 4 dollars. They also sell a large bag of safflower seeds, for approximately $7.00.

You may also add variety by adding a few times a week:

lentils
yellow pop corn
dried split green peas
shelled unsalted raw sunflower seeds in moderation---high in calories
raw unsalted peanuts in moderation, possibly cut up

Safflower and sunflower shelled seeds should be given in moderation as a treat. They are high in calories, so if you believe he needs to have weight added well add a bit more.

Some members had told me that they have a difficult time buying the unsalted raw shelled sunflower seeds. My grocer sell a bag which has 1/2 cup full for 99 cents. A bit pricey, so I do limit the amount I give to my present 6 pet pigeons. This item can be found at most health food stores if not in the seed/nut department of your local grocer. I also found them by doing a googel on them, and one can purchase them even cheaper.

Speaking of health food stores, most of us give our pigeons an ACV additive twice a week.

I also get mine at the health food store, called Bragg's Apple Cider Vinegar with the "mother" in it. It costs only $3.88 for a bottle of concentrate. I dilute mine with a 1/2 gal. old milk container. I add a teaspoon and a half to half gal. of water, shake it well, and add it to the drinking cup. Day 2.3.4 back to water, then repeat and skip.It is great for their immune system, and I am a firm believer in the product. It helped save our last pigeon rescue. Barbie, last Summer when we found her motionless, cold, dirty and a head wound. We strengthened the dosage and removed the rock embedded in her head, and now she is the healthy mother to two beautiful healthy babies.

Your newly found pigeon will add on the weight and feel more comfortable around you and her husband. Do not be afraid of the pigeon. If it pecks at you, it won't hurt, and it is a sign that it is comfortable around you. My Tooter loves me to death, and will peck the heck out of me, but I know he loves me, and I tell him this too!~

[Trees Gray]

Do you have a weight scale? It would be good to moniter her weight at this point.

I would start the bird on some probiotics to help populate some good gut bacteria, as well as help her digest her food well.

You might also hand feed her some organic dog chow, soaked and drained, just to help put some weight on. Break it up in small pieces and feed it to her.

I would also give a soft gel garlic capsule a day, to help ward off any parasites or worms that may be keeping her thin, as well as for upping immune response.

[EarthaPidge]

Hello Mama,

Sounds like this little white beauty has a great home with you, but if you decide it is too much to handle or you would like him to have more room or a couple of pals, I will gladly offer her/him a good home. I have 3 birds now, all females. Here is a pic of my aviary to give you an idea...

Best of luck if you decide to keep him or her.

EP

[Lovebirds]

Originally Posted by EarthaPidge

Hello Mama,

Sounds like this little white beauty has a great home with you, but if you decide it is too much to handle or you would like him to have more room or a couple of pals, I will gladly offer her/him a good home. I have 3 birds now, all females. Here is a pic of my aviary to give you an idea...

Best of luck if you decide to keep him or her.

EP

Very nice!!!! Don't think I'd seen a picture of your loft/aviary before.......All of that for three birds? We'll start calling YOU when we get lost birds turned into us on 911 Pigeon Alert, in NY............LOL

[EarthaPidge]

Hi Renee,

I just finished the aviary last Fall, so it is all pretty new to all of us (started as a much smaller plan but got out of control). The whole thing is about 24 x 10 and the shed area is about 8 x 6, so not very large. I figure my max birds will be about twice what I have now. They have a heated bath and insulated/heated shed and my girls have done well their first winter (one girl is from the West Indies so had never experienced winter before this!). I have secured the floor about 8 inches down with hardware cloth and have not had any problem with critters trying to dig underneath. The floor plan caters to flightless pidges as well as flighted. I keep up on the 911 Pigeon site, so will keep a lookout for any needy birds...

Remember we need a mate for Big Bird the Modena from bayshore....

EP

[Lovebirds]

Originally Posted by EarthaPidge

Hi Renee,

I just finished the aviary last Fall, so it is all pretty new to all of us (started as a much smaller plan but got out of control). The whole thing is about 24 x 10 and the shed area is about 8 x 6, so not very large. I figure my max birds will be about twice what I have now. They have a heated bath and insulated/heated shed and my girls have done well their first winter (one girl is from the West Indies so had never experienced winter before this!). I have secured the floor about 8 inches down with hardware cloth and have not had any problem with critters trying to dig underneath. The floor plan caters to flightless pidges as well as flighted. I keep up on the 911 Pigeon site, so will keep a lookout for any needy birds...

Remember we need a mate for Big Bird the Modena from bayshore....

EP

According to the equation for figuring how many birds for a certain space, it says 19....so....you could keep 15 very comfortably.......UMMM..let me go check my 911 files.......LOL....just kidding......

6ft X 8ft X 6ft = 288 divided by 15 = 19.2

[TAWhatley]

I have absolutely no doubt that we can find Big Mama a handsome Modena boy. Just say the word, Laura, and it shall be done I would much rather find a rescue/911 Modena for you, but if Big Mama gets to really wanting a mate, I can get one for her and have him shipped to you from California.

Terry

[EarthaPidge]

Thanks for the offer Terry, but I couldn't in good conscience take an out of state rescue since I am sure there must be a local one in my future. And I'm hoping she will fall for anything I bring home, male or female. I don't think I can risk having a male Modena since my girls are on the smaller side and I don't want him "squashing" one of them. Unless he is one-winged or has some other balance problem that would inhibit mounting. Have you had Modenas choose smaller mates?

L

[Aias]

welcome to the forum mama!
always so happy to hear another new yorker making peace with the pigeons. i am anxiously waiting for the post when you announce that you have touched your new house mate. and any ideas on a name?