Re: Polly pigeon....thanks for the advice!

[spritesister]

Thanks to everyone who gave me advice on Polly. I have since went to Petsmart and an employee in the bird section gave me some advice as well. He made me aware that pigeon poop carries Salmanella, and to wear some garden gloves when cleaning the cage. He also recommended some bird seed and grit for Polly. I was able to clean out Polly's cage and give her fresh food and water last night. As for her wing, it droops, and she can't fly, so I assume it is broken. I found a wildlife refuge that would take her in, but they said they could not guarantee that they can fix her wing and release her back into the wild...it will depend on if her wing is fixable. I also asked them if her wing was not fixable, what is their opinion of me keeping her as a pet, and they said it is their opinion a wild animal would not be happy in a cage when it is used to being free. I kinda' agree, but on the other hand, if you give it lots of TLC, it might turn out to be happy eventually. My heart goes out to Polly, as I have a soft spot for ALL animals, but I think it would be in her best interest if I take her to the refuge. What are your thoughts? Thanks again!

[dano7]

I've got news for the rehabers: pigeons enjoy life with good humans even if they can't fly like they once did. If you put it in a pet bird cage, however, it's no good. Ideally, Polly stays in your home or a decent size aviary. If you can't provide that then someone else can, but after the rehabers work on her you should reclaim her in any case. The members here can advise on diet, health, etc.

[John_D]

Well, a pigeon likes to have space. Nothing wrong with a cage if the door is open for a pigeon to come and go in a house, or a nice big room in a house where it would be safe from other animals. It would then treat the cage as a place to roost, to eat and drink or just have a nap when it feels like it. No good keeping a pigeon in a cage for most of its time, though. An aviary is best, of course, provided it is predator proof.

A point on your informant at Petsmart. Pigeon droppings do not carry salmonella as a matter of course. If a pigeon is suffering from it, then yes - but pigeons with salmonella don't last long 'outside' without treatment. Even if a pigeon did have it, sensible hygeine precautions will prevent transmission. We have Petsmart in the UK, now called some other name I think, and my dealings with staff at Petsmart suggest they are not very knowledgable, on the whole, about pigeons (here, they don't even sell pigeon food any more.)

John

[Feefo]

Many of our members have taken in feral pigeons, healed them and tried to release them...but the pigeon has refused to leave! I think that says it all.

They are not really wild birds, you see, but semi domesticated already. Even free they build up a special relationship with the humans that they interact with. The flocks in my city know me, and fly down to gather around me the second I come into sight. They sit on my hand to eat, and land confidently on my head, some come to me when I call them by name!

I have 30 rescued pigeons in the aviary and 6 in the house at the moment. I know that I will have to release the healthy ones, but will feel bad when I do that because they are so happy where they are!

I have a collared dove in a cage at the moment. The door is always open, and Dovey likes to take a walk around the room or to perch near the window. But she will always be back in her cage when I get home at night because that is where she has her food and her perch. That is where Dovey feels safe and happy.

Besides, all animals prefer life to death.

Cynthia


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All beings are fond of themselves, they like pleasure, they hate pain, they shun destruction, they like life and want to live long. To all, life is dear; hence their life should be protected.

-Mahavira

[alea]

Just had to stick my nose in here,...
I have my pij in a bird cage, but the cage is very large... (about the size of my refrigerator minus the freezer, to give you an idea.) I leave the door open when I am home, and she generally hangs out in the kitchen with me, but I lock her in when I am not home to minimize the amount of poop I have to clean up. If I am cooking, I lock her up because the stove is one of her favorite places to land.
To me, she seems very happy. I raised her from just about a week old, and she is very sweet. She flies around and lands on my head or my arm. She sits on my shoulder and gently pulls on my earrings... She is a joy to me.


[This message has been edited by alea (edited February 26, 2004).]