Wheelchair For A Pigeon

[raynjudy]

Hey, gang:

What follows are excerpts of a dialog from the Urban Wildlife Society "Pigeon List".
Serious, supportive replies only please...

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Hi, all!

Would the mechanically and electronically inclined among us consider the following problem, as described in these excerpts from a recent email...

--Ray

PS. My thanks to Terry Whatley for bringing this to my attention.

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...Ouch is growing new blood feathers and because he's using his wings to crawl around most of these feathers broke and I have to
pull them out. Do you have any idea how to prevent this? Please let me
know.

Thank you!

Regards,

Constantin & Ouch

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The mechanic/engineer side of me believes a "wheelchair" could be designed
for this pigeon and perhaps, with training, Ouch could learn to use his neck
muscles for some mobility. Or at the least, the wear and tear on the wings
could be lessened in getting around. Ouch is a most charming little soul
(see picture attached). [N/A]

If I may digress, really, the technology exists, and cheaply, for an omni-directional electric wheelchair. Any Radio Shack, wire or radio controlled electric car has the necessary components ready to go. Could a
pigeon figure out how to peck the right switch to go forward and back, left
and right? I think maybe so (see pictures attached). [N/A]

...Perhaps the more mechanically inclined among us would enjoy the intellectual & engineering challenge, as much as helping.

--Ray

-end-

NOTE: Pictures of Ouch and the highly trained pigeons will be available in the new Galleries, when the new site opens next month.

--Ray