Breeders releasing excess pigeons

[bluebirdsnfur]

I am always amazed at how many people, including myself, find lost un-band pigeons or have them show up at their homes. There is, I found out, one explaination. In talking to a couple of people, two at a garden center and one ar a feed store, about my pigeons and how I got them and how much I enjoy them, I was told (twice) that they know of breeders that when they start getting way too many birds, they load them up, drive so many miles away and let 'em go. These birds are not banded. I believe that is how Flurry ended up on my front porch. Which is probably why so many rescued do not seem totally afraid of people.
Just my observation.

[Naunnie]

You might be on to something here! We wondered the same thing when we found WeiPea. Never saw ANY pigeons there before and have not seen ANY since we rescued him. Very interesting Maybe I'll start asking around at the feed and bait stores in the area. Thanks

[spirit wings]

nothing surprises me anymore....

[[MN]eXist^_^]

What? really? never don'd on me before.

[george simon]

Originally Posted by bluebirdsnfur

I am always amazed at how many people, including myself, find lost un-band pigeons or have them show up at their homes. There is, I found out, one explaination. In talking to a couple of people, two at a garden center and one ar a feed store, about my pigeons and how I got them and how much I enjoy them, I was told (twice) that they know of breeders that when they start getting way too many birds, they load them up, drive so many miles away and let 'em go. These birds are not banded. I believe that is how Flurry ended up on my front porch. Which is probably why so many rescued do not seem totally afraid of people.
Just my observation.

HI BLUEBIRDSNFUR, The breeders that I know don't do this unbanded birds are(word that can't be use0 and in many cases end up in the freezer.Two people told you that breeders are doing this did you ask who these breeders were? There are people that will read this and they will pass this on to others the sad thing here is that some where along the line the two will become ALL breeders, as people spread this story. When I have birds that I can't give away I that them to the MAGNOLA BIRD FARM and get paid for them. GEORGE

[Mindy]

George, what does Magnola Bird Farm do with the the pigeons you sell them? I'm curious, do you eat Pigeon?
It is ashame that a couple breeders (bad apples) can tarnish the good breeders out there. I think that's how it is in all business and hobbies. If we did find out what breeders did this kind of practice, is there anything that can actually be done about it? mindy

[george simon]

Originally Posted by Mindy

George, what does Magnola Bird Farm do with the the pigeons you sell them? I'm curious, do you eat Pigeon?
It is ashame that a couple breeders (bad apples) can tarnish the good breeders out there. I think that's how it is in all business and hobbies. If we did find out what breeders did this kind of practice, is there anything that can actually be done about it? mindy

Hi MINDY, No I do not eat my birds,if I did I would not sell them to the bird farm. The Magnola bird farm sells them, I have no way of knowing who they sell these birds toand there may be people that buy them that may be the kind that use these birds in ways that some would not like.I do know that there are young people that are into racing that can not afford costly birds that do buy these birds. They hope to get some good breeders ,I have seen some of my birds bought by these young people before I have left the store. GEORGE

[Keith C.]

I think a lot of pigeons that just show up are young ferals that are looking for a place to live.
Before the coopers hawks started nesting three houses down, I used to get lots of young feral pigeons that would hang out by my flight pens and spend most of the day trying to get into my lofts.
Numerous times I slowly walked up and caught them by hand.
My pigeons reacted postively when they saw me and the ferals pretty much ignored me.
The ones that hung out were almost always squeakers.
Pigeons by nature are pretty tame.
Keith

[plamenh]

There is, I found out, one explaination. In talking to a couple of people, two at a garden center and one at a feed store, about my pigeons and how I got them and how much I enjoy them, I was told (twice) that they know of breeders that when they start getting way too many birds, they load them up, drive so many miles away and let 'em go.

There is something bit strange in this information Bluebirdsnfur
First ask yourself why will breeder (I’m talking real one) keep un-banded birds? Unless I’m mistaken, they breed racers, show birds etc. and these birds are of no use if there is no band. You can’t race them, you can’t sell them. Secondly it is not possible to band bird after certain age and before that they will not know if the bird is good for anything. To raise bird, to house and to drive far just to dump her makes no sense. If one does not care for the bird’s fate it will at least care for money invested (freezer or shop is more logical solution).
I do not agree with a lot of things related to exploiting pigeons, but without proof I would not accuse or spread this type of information. My ferals are so tame that one will swear they are hand raised. Should I search for breeder on my palm tree?

[spirit wings]

Originally Posted by plamenh

There is something bit strange in this information Bluebirdsnfur
First ask yourself why will breeder (I’m talking real one) keep un-banded birds? Unless I’m mistaken, they breed racers, show birds etc. and these birds are of no use if there is no band. You can’t race them, you can’t sell them. Secondly it is not possible to band bird after certain age and before that they will not know if the bird is good for anything. To raise bird, to house and to drive far just to dump her makes no sense. If one does not care for the bird’s fate it will at least care for money invested (freezer or shop is more logical solution).
I do not agree with a lot of things related to exploiting pigeons, but without proof I would not accuse or spread this type of information. My ferals are so tame that one will swear they are hand raised. Should I search for breeder on my palm tree?

you have a good point, it may be the people that are novices and just get in over their heads...and do not know about fake eggs and birds are hatching all over the place and then they do not know what to do...the real breeders as you say take great pains in breeding the right pairs and they band the babies and sell or gift birds they do not need.

[Mindy]

Maybe they take the bands off so they can't be traced back to them.

[spirit wings]

Originally Posted by Mindy

Maybe they take the bands off so they can't be traced back to them.

seemless bands do not come off, and you have to buy multiples, so that would be throwing money away....so that does not make sense. It would be they were never banded as babies in the first place, you only have so many days to get the seemless band on when they are in the nest...day 6 to 8, depending how big the squab is. the good breeders band their babies and it is permanent

[plamenh]

How about this theory:
Companies, who "exterminate" pigeons, trap them, move them to another area and moneymaking cycle starts again. Does this sound more logical? Would you rather make money or waste money?

[bluebirdsnfur]

The so called "breeders" were friends of the gals who gave me this information. As to why they don't band their young birds, I haven't a clue. I just know I believe what they told me. Why lie to me? I have shopped at these two places for several years now.

George, my intention is not to spread rumors, it's just my observation. It will not throw 'all breeders' into the same basket. If you are an honest reputable breeder, your reputation will always reflect as such. I know this from having bred and shown dogs for 25 years. There are a lot of breeders who microchip their pups before they are placed . . .and there are a lot who don't.

Plamenh, I am not asking anyone to spread a rumor. It just seemed a logical explaination as to so many unbanded pigeons being found.

Mindy, maybe the bands are being removed so as not to be traced. Interesting thought.

Spirit wings, and yeah, maybe there are a few that get in way over their heads, don't know about wooden eggs and don't know what else to do, unfortunately.

Thanks for all the input everyone!

[John_D]

We got our tumbler because the owner, having bred him, evidently decided he wasn't show standard and just dumped him out on the street. Not only that, he put an 05 band on the little fella, who was still a squeaker when found.

John