Found pet pigeons-need guidance

[TheSnipes]

Originally Posted by ShelbyG

My store didn't have any pigeon food. : (

Wild bird mix will also do fine, it has a variety of seeds they should like.

Sounds like you have got them quite comfy! I think you're a natural pigeon mama

[Trees Gray]

Thank you for taking such good care of the birds.

You can put a couple of drops of ACV (organic is best) in a small drinking bowl of water, or measure a tablespoon to a gallon water.

The poops should look like a dolip, solid ...with white on top of green.

What do you mean by the one bird is breathing loud? Is his beak open also? Is it a coo sound or gurgling or rasping when breathing?

I really haven't seen any wild bird seed that is complete enough to meet the nutritional needs of a pigeon.

[mr squeaks]

Wow, ShelbyG, you are doing a wonderful care job with this lovely couple!!

They will certainly have a GREAT home with Treesa, who believes in natural foods and care. She is TERRIFIC and has the most healthy birds!

That mention of others doing the "doctoring" sounds a little scarey...sure wouldn't want that to mean puting down!! I would tend to doubt that would happen as they are show type pijies, but who knows!

Please let us know what happens! Many thanks for your kindness to these two wayward ones with

Hugs and Scritches to the loving couple!!

Shi & Squeaks

[Reti]

Originally Posted by pigeonmama

Oh, my,
What cuties. I hope they end up at Mama Treesa's home for wayward pigies.
They will be well cared for and much loved.
Daryl

I hope so too. They couldn't go to a better home.

Reti

[ShelbyG]

Hi all,

I spoke with the person who may be the original breeder for at least one of our foundlings a few hours ago. Its taken a bit for my upset feelings to subside. In brief-I received his contact info from the Association for folks who raise these birds, after we contacted them with the band numbers. First he claimed the numbers were wrong-I read them back and he admitted it might have been a bird he bred. I asked for information on whom he sold/gave the bird to-I actually phrased it "You can't tell me how you disposed of the bird with this band number?" which seemed to hit a nerve, because he told me he doesn't "dispose of" his birds. Fair enough.

But then he added, "I don't euthanize healthy birds anymore since my last 2 vets now refuse to do that. As a matter of fact, I'm bringing more people into the hobby-they kept those birds and now like pigeons!" OMG What a way to spread something you enjoy.

He reiterated that he couldn't help me find the owners (although the Mrs. had mentioned some friends of theirs nearby who got some of their birds-interesting) and said he would not take these birds back because they're worthless at their advanced age of 2 and 3 years. Plus, he didn't own them-and they may never have been his. <eye roll>

He was helpful in giving me the number of another Pigeon Enthusiast from their club in the area who might "help me do something with them" but given our brief conversation I am very wary to turn the piges over to someone from that group-they may share his thoughts on keeping "worthless birds". He also offered to answer any questions I might have about the hobby of showing helmets in the future! Anyone want to take a guess how eager I would be to take advantage of that offer?

I'm trying to keep cool and keep in mind that he's a much older generation and may have some "practical" ways of thinking about birds as either profession or poultry but it was a frustrating conversation on both sides. I'm sure he cares for his birds in his own way but we clearly have different philosophies. I'll leave it at that.

I assured him that since he turned the birds down and couldn't help locate an owner, then we would find a good suitable home for them. If nothing else, I'm relieved and more convinced than ever that no one is out there missing these little guys tonight.

I will try the apple cider vinegar to their water. About the pigeon's noise, they just seem to be hard coos. Like the rumbling purr of a cat, that shake its body? The pige occasionally does that, sometimes while sitting quietly, sometimes in response to us walking by or putting food in his cage...not panting, no open beak, almost clucking to himself. I have no idea how loud they are supposed to be. My birds just whistle, sing and cheep.

I've had my birds for 8 and 4 years respectively, with no serious illness in that time, knock on wood. I just have a feeling that this one guy isn't going at full speed-don't know if its lingering trauma or if they have some latent infection or what. The poops are big, green and mostly solid, but again, they're not very frequent-my small birds go several times an hour it seems. These are spread out. I'm going to see if maybe one of the Pigeon folks nearby can take a look at him soon while we work on finding him a home. I will try to call Julie again.

Thanks,
Shelby

[Reti]

Thanks for the update and sorry the conversations with the former owner was frustrating.

Well, seems like Treesa will have two new helmets?

Reti

[mr squeaks]

Hi Shelby...

I'm glad you were able to get closure about these two! Sounds like they would NOT have been in good hands back with any of these people!

Are you going to give them to Treesa?? Sure hope so!!

Shi

[ShelbyG]

Thanks all for your support. I'm doing all I can to find a good home for these guys. If Treesa has a flock with 2 open positions, the Tampa pidges would like to submit an application....

I've done all I can for these guys and hope they're okay and healthy enough to be re-homed with other little helmets like them. Hubby reminds me that if for some reason they don't make it, they still have had a much better last few days with warmth, comfort and dignity than they would have had left to the hawks and cats of our neighborhood.

On a side note, ironically, when I worked in the Children's Department of our local library last year my favorite story time books were a series by Mo Willems based on the life of a pigeon. Please check out and read "Don't Let the Pigeon Stay up Late!", "Don't Let the Pigeon Drive the Bus!", "The Pigeon Finds a Hot Dog", "The Pigeon Has Feelings Too" and others. I would come home from work, curl up with hubby and we would laugh at the antics of a little pigeon. He bought me the books for Christmas this year-little did we know we'd have real pigeon houseguests soon after! LOL

Smiles,
Shelby

[TAWhatley]

Well, Treesa would be a wonderful Pigeon Mom to these two! I'm sorry about the BS with the original breeder. Sometimes you get one like that, and it is a shame as it really turns people off about pigeon fanciers.

I'd strongly suggest making arrangements with Treesa to take these guys in.

Please keep the updates coming!

I'll do what little I can about the negativity you got from the breeder .. sometimes the powers that be pay attention and take action, but sometimes they don't.

Terry

[TAWhatley]

Shelby .. check that RHA band again .. I think this one might be just RH .. if so, it might be a Roller. I'm checking it out with the NPA.
Well, just looked at the picks again .. perhaps not a roller, but the NPA has already advised they didn't have any RHA bands, so you
still need to have another look.

Terry

[Trees Gray]

Hi Shelby,

IF you don't find their owners, or they don't want them back.... they can live here.

Check your e-mails, and thanks again for rescuing them.

Treesa

[Birdmom4ever]

Just found this thread. Thank you so much Shelby for all your care and concern for these Helmets. I have a rescued Helmet myself and they are adorable little pigeons. I'm very sorry the breeder acted the way he did. I'm a member of the National Pigeon Association (for fancy/show pigeons) and the President is also the President of our local pigeon club, to which I also belong. I'm going to bring up this incident at our next meeting. The NPA is constantly telling members they need to show concern for lost birds and take them back, but not all of them get the message. I think it can't be emphasized enough that breeders and owners must take responsibility for their birds. I would certainly take back any bird of mine, even if I'd sold it or given it away, and give it proper care if it wound up in someone's yard.

By the way, two or three years old is not past breeding age or "over the hill" in any way. Pigeon hens usually lay for at least five years and often longer. A properly cared-for pigeon should live 12-15 years or more.

-Cathy

[ShelbyG]

Thanks Cathy, for giving us an insider view on your organization. I have to admit, I had no idea they existed before Sunday and this entire situation has really reflected poorly. Its not fair to judge the group by one person, or a few people, so I commend you guys for trying to educate the breeders. Obviously lost pigeons are one way the public will encounter the NPA, which is a shame.

Anyway, the pigeons may be homed with Treesa, but I'm trying to exhaust all other local options. I've called the themeparks and zoos, and 3 rescue groups.
Its been a firm "no" from most but I'm still waiting to hear from one group that takes primarily injured seabirds. They said if they can take them maybe one of their staff or fosterers will adopt. I even left a message for the one NPA person the breeder recommended, hoping he may be more like Cathy. : )
The breeder had mentioned the guy might keep the pigeons to educate the public, which I scoffed at, considering my experience to that point. But I checked out the guy's webpage and he does apparently take pigeons to local schools so maybe he's legit? Hope so. I do not want them going to someone who will put them down.

I had not been thinking they'd be with me this long and was keeping them in a bird cage. Yesterday as it became apparent they're staying longer and needed more room, I rehabbed my guest bathroom for them. It would have worked better if I had actually taped the newspaper to the floor, as once they got in there they got all flappy and ran around and generally looked happier, if a pigeon can look happy (they can). They also decided they need to hang out on the windowsill and the shower curtain and fly into the bathroom mirror (yikes!) I retaped the paper floor, covered the mirror with newspaper and trimmed up their feathers as much as they would let me.
They slept in there last night with a night light and this morning I found them cuddled behind the toilet. I'd bought a dog carrier to transport them (hopefully soon) so put that in the bathroom and they ran right in and cooed away.

Poor pigeons. Common sense should have told me they wanted a box or something but they're new to me. Hopefully I will hear soon from someone about them-am bummed this morning cause I've been out of work for awhile and had to turn down a temp job yesterday!! Darn you cute pigeons!

Its been interesting.

-Shelby

[Lady Tarheel]

Shelby, if you have read very much on this forum you will know that Treesa is one of our most respected members, not even to mention she is one of our moderators. To me, it is a no- brainer to give these pigeons to Treesa. I would entrust all of my pigeons to Treesa's care and consider them lucky to be going to her.

[Birdmom4ever]

I absolutely agree with Maggie. Treesa is the best and takes fantastic care of her birds. I realize it's a drive, but these pigeons could have no better home than with her. They will be most content in a home with other pigeons, which she can provide.

I also want to assure you that not everyone in the NPA is like the breeder you encountered. I know a lot of very nice people in the organization and I hope this incident won't turn you off on pigeon breeders in general. One of our members, who consistently breeds champions, lost a very valuable pigeon a year or so back. Some lady found it in her yard and turned it in to a rescue organization. He retrieved it and gave the rescue organization a generous cash reward. So there are good people out there. Unfortunately there are some bad apples in every organization.