Pigeons quality of life/please advise

[Holly holly]

Hello! Two years ago I found a large white pigeon with ruffly feathers on its feet who was not able to fly very high. I knew it would perish if I didn't take it in (he has really big feet like my daughter so we named him 'Chelsea Bird') About a week later I took in another pigeon that had a badly broken wing that I was told would never heal (we named her 'sitting duck')
I built a coop off my garage - got pigeon feed and gave them fresh water daily. They never really became too friendly with me but I work two jobs and really only took care of their basic needs. Eventually Chelsea Bird and Sitting Duck had a baby 'Baby Bird' who has grown quite large like her dad.
One day they attacked Sitting Duck - it looked like they pecked her eye out (but it healed) from then on I had to keep her separated from the others until she became sick and passed on.

I would really like to let the baby bird free but she has only ever known life in captivity and also I have 3 cats and 2 dogs as well and am afraid they will kill her. First off, if I let her free will she be able to survive on her own? I thought of trying to cut a hole in the coop so she could get in and out but the cats sometimes sit on the roof and it could be risky.

Now the other day I drove past a pigeon sitting in the middle of a four lane busy road with cars skirting around it. I turned around, put on my hazzards and stopped my car in the middle of the road, scooped it up and brought it home. It's in the same coop as the other two-but isolated inside a big dog cage. Will the other pigeons attack it? I figure that if its wing heals and it can fly, then I'll take it back to the same street I found it on and let it go-if not I've got three. I just think that they might have a better life if they live where they can get out of the coop once in a while. Any feedback would be appreciated. Thank you, Holly

[Margarret]

Holly,

Your two birds, Chelsea Bird and Baby Bird would not be able to survive out of captivity. They haven't learned from parents how to live and would starve or be taken by predators, hawks, cats etc. Chelsea has muffed feet and would have difficulty just from that. I would not let them out of the cage at all unless you have a safe space for them to fly a bit, but definitely don't let them out into the open.

Any new bird should be kept separate from them for at least two weeks. No sharing of food or water. The one you found is most likely a feral. If it regains the ability to fly and is healthy, it can be released.

Other people who know more about rehabbing than I will be along to help you in a bit with your new bird.

Best wishes,
Margaret

[Pidgey]

It's a dilemma, sometimes. I have an underpass full of pigeons that eats at my house every day and generally, the best thing that can happen to them in terms of longevity is for them to get hurt or sick, end up in my yard where I pick 'em up & rehab 'em and then put 'em in my loft. That usually guarantees that they will live a longer life. If they're okay to release then I'll release them, but their best chance at long term survival is to be in the loft, hands down. Since it's a community in there, they're usually pretty happy to stay. And on occasions where I've opened the loft to let them fly, many of them who know the neighborhood well absolutely refuse to go back outside when presented with the opportunity.

If a bird's been kept inside for too long, it's often the case that they don't do well when let out. The ferals that survive well have learned flock behavior to the point that when the flock takes off in an extreme hurry, they do too. That helps them avoid the predators. It's difficult for them to develop that flock mentality if they haven't grown up that way.

Pidgey

[feralpigeon]

Originally Posted by Holly holly

Hello! Two years ago I found a large white pigeon with ruffly feathers on its feet who was not able to fly very high. I knew it would perish if I didn't take it in (he has really big feet like my daughter so we named him 'Chelsea Bird') About a week later I took in another pigeon that had a badly broken wing that I was told would never heal (we named her 'sitting duck')
I built a coop off my garage - got pigeon feed and gave them fresh water daily. They never really became too friendly with me but I work two jobs and really only took care of their basic needs. Eventually Chelsea Bird and Sitting Duck had a baby 'Baby Bird' who has grown quite large like her dad.
One day they attacked Sitting Duck - it looked like they pecked her eye out (but it healed) from then on I had to keep her separated from the others until she became sick and passed on.

[b]Sometimes when they are sick the others go into survival/instinctual mode and want to get the sick one away from them as a sick/weak bird might
draw the attention of a predator. Sitting duck may already have been sick
but not showing that to you, another behavior of non-predator species.

I would really like to let the baby bird free but she has only ever known life in captivity and also I have 3 cats and 2 dogs as well and am afraid they will kill her. First off, if I let her free will she be able to survive on her own? I thought of trying to cut a hole in the coop so she could get in and out but the cats sometimes sit on the roof and it could be risky.

Pigeons are flock birds and derive quite a bit of protection that way in addition to just being social birds. That bird would have to be released into a feral flock by using a soft release and conditioning over time. It would be
best for it to be a supported flock as well. It's possible to gear the bird up for it but it would most likely need to happen through an experienced rehabber in your area. Otherwise, this bird has had all it's need provided for including safety, and it's best to continue the bird in a protected environment.

Now the other day I drove past a pigeon sitting in the middle of a four lane busy road with cars skirting around it. I turned around, put on my hazzards and stopped my car in the middle of the road, scooped it up and brought it home. It's in the same coop as the other two-but isolated inside a big dog cage. Will the other pigeons attack it? I figure that if its wing heals and it can fly, then I'll take it back to the same street I found it on and let it go-if not I've got three. I just think that they might have a better life if they live where they can get out of the coop once in a while. Any feedback would be appreciated. Thank you, Holly

Holly, it's wonderful that you keep an eye out for our ferals and likewise
wonderful that you also bring them into safety as needed when you cross
their paths. Pigeons are pretty adaptable birds and going from feral to aviary/coop life is doable especially when there is still pigeon companionship for them. It's good that you are concerned about their well being and what
is the 'right' thing to do, but it sounds as though you are already doing the right thing. Thanks for helping the ferals in your area out.

fp