King Pigeons As Food!!??

[Naunnie]

I am not sure where the link is....But isn't this what the King pigeons were raised for? The guy that started this, paid people to raise squab (large) and then failed to meet his obligations to the people that he had contracted with to raise them. These people were left with a lot of birds they did not want. So, they just released them. The sad part is these birds were used to eating and drinking what was provided for them and never learned to make it on their own. Many birds have been released. Many have not made it. Many are rescued and need good homes. Many don't find good homes and wind up elsewhere.
Personally we don’t eat pigeon, but millions of people do. It is considered a delicacy in some places. This guy tried to capitalize on this. I’m sure he was not the first. As pigeon lovers, our goal is to try and help the ones we can. Altgirls thread started with a King Pigeons rescue.

[Charis]

Originally Posted by Naunnie

I am not sure where the link is....But isn't this what the King pigeons were raised for? The guy that started this, paid people to raise squab (large) and then failed to meet his obligations to the people that he had contracted with to raise them. These people were left with a lot of birds they did not want. So, they just released them. The sad part is these birds were used to eating and drinking what was provided for them and never learned to make it on their own. Many birds have been released. Many have not made it. Many are rescued and need good homes. Many don't find good homes and wind up elsewhere.
Personally we don’t eat pigeon, but millions of people do. It is considered a delicacy in some places. This guy tried to capitalize on this. I’m sure he was not the first. As pigeon lovers, our goal is to try and help the ones we can. Altgirls thread started with a King Pigeons rescue.

That was the Pigeon King...Alan Galbraith.

[altgirl35]

i didn't mean to start a fight, it's just something i really didn't know still existed in these times, i was just as upset when i found out people still go out and shoot mourning doves and eat them.
i hope we can still find a home for this bird, he belongs with others of his kind, right now he is safe and will be taken care of very well, but like most of us rehabbers the last thing we need is another pet.

[jmaxpsi]

So bottom line is you can eat whatever you like. Let's say I don't eat eggs because they are a little baby that needs to be incubated to be born. Now, how many people can I tell to not eat eggs? DO NO EAT EGGS! Therefore, it comes from a beautiful bird called a chicken. Now, guess how many people that I'm mad at because they ate chicken eggs.
YOu got to understand that some people were raised eating certain things. To them, it's normal, but to you, it's out of this world. Hopefully everyone gets the point. This is my opinion. i do not intend to hurt anyones feelings.

Joe

[Mindy]

jmaxpsi, I think your comparing apple and oranges. First of all most eggs you get in the store are not fertile. Second of all, its not living and breathing air. Third, this is a forum to help pigeons, not to eat them. If people eat them, then they shouldn't be on this forum saying that they do and if they do say it expect some backlash. On this forum, this is a hobby, a sport, pets and, rescues. I don't see a column where people can post I eat pigeon and proud of it. If there was I wouldn't be a member.

Maybe I'm like Altgirl and didn't know it existed in this day and age. I have a King upstairs that I love dearly that I adopted from Reti. I look at him and just can't imagine someone eating them. I didn't know they shoot morning doves either.

Altgirl, sorry for hi-jacking your thread, I do hope you can find a home for this king. I need to go back and read about this Pigeon King. I just don't know if I can do it tonight, already upset enough. mindy

[AZWhitefeather]

Originally Posted by Mindy

Sky Tx, do you eat pigeons?

Originally Posted by sky tx

Yes we have eat pigeons--back in the 1970's-1980's we raised a late round and put lots of 30 day old squabs in the freezer.

Originally Posted by Mindy

I may be wrong on this, but I think if someone comes on Pigeon Talk and says they just ate a pigeon, I don't think there would be very many happy people on here.

mindy

Mindy,
I'm not going to get into a debate with you, rather just want to point out that . . .
You're the one who asked Sky Tx if he ate pigeons. And his answer just happened to be yes.

You and others may not be very happy about it, but you did ask.
He didn't say he just ate a pigeon. He referenced it was back in the '70-'80's.

Cindy

[AZWhitefeather]

Originally Posted by altgirl35

i hope we can still find a home for this bird, he belongs with others of his kind, right now he is safe and will be taken care of very well, but like most of us rehabbers the last thing we need is another pet.

I will think 'positive' thoughts that you are able to find this little lost pij a wonderful forever home, Altgirl.

Please keep us posted.

Cindy

[TAWhatley]

Well, I'm kinda shocked that some members who posted in this thread did not realize that King pigeons are raised for food. Also a little shocked that some members kind of do not have a concept of the fact that the rest of the world lives and eats quite a bit differently than them.

Come on folks, you all know what's being said here and you CAN understand it. I think this thread has outlived it's usefullness.

If any of you have family who lived through the Great Depression, Dust Bowl Days, WWII rationing .. you might get a clue about all this .. most of you are too young .. ask your parents and grandparents .. it would be educational.

Terry

[TAWhatley]

Let's just find a home for this bird ..

Terry

[sreeshs]

Originally Posted by TAWhatley

Well, I'm kinda shocked that some members who posted in this thread did not realize that King pigeons are raised for food. Also a little shocked that some members kind of do not have a concept of the fact that the rest of the world lives and eats quite a bit differently than them.

Come on folks, you all know what's being said here and you CAN understand it. I think this thread has outlived it's usefullness.

If any of you have family who lived through the Great Depression, Dust Bowl Days, WWII rationing .. you might get a clue about all this .. most of you are too young .. ask your parents and grandparents .. it would be educational.

Terry

I have read in a couple of books that King pigeons are poultry grade birds, that means they are raised for meat, just like turkeys may be. Most of us get astonished or offended about this because we are pigeon lovers and also bcos many of us are not used to this as diet. There are stores in Thailand and China which sells pigeons for meat and thats not only King pigeons, believe me. But based on unbiased thinking if we eat chicken and turkey we cannot ask anyone not to eat pigeons !!! As long as you are a non-veggie..... I dont know... thats my take

[Crazy Pete]

In the 60's pigeons, and other critters kept us in food. Car wreck in 1961 left mom and dad in bad shape. You do what you must.I now have 5 rescued birds and don't even hunt, I was raised hunting. Every body can change if they want.
Dave

[sasha008]

Copied and pasted from the Pigeon-Talk Forum Rules of Conduct:

2. This is a pigeon advocate website. Topics relating to the advocacy of hunting, killing, eating, torturing or any cruel treatment of pigeons and/or any animal, will not be tolerated on this website. While we encourage an exchange of opinions in these forums, please note that there are specific 'Off Limit' topics that are PROHIBITED and any such posts will be be immediately removed without discussion.

[Msfreebird]

Originally Posted by altgirl35

a fellow rehabber got in a what i think is a king pigeon and after checking to see if a local a guy who keeps pigeons could take him, he told they me they are sold for food!
i was stunned and basically was oblivious to this practice.
if anyone in massachusetts area would like this pretty bird and has a nice loft, but wouldn't breed him/her for meat let me know

Hi Altgirl, Where in Mass is this pigeon, how far from me - I'm in Eliot (next to Kittery) Maine. I would be happy to take him. Only problem right now is that I don't have a spot to isolate him for a couple weeks yet. If you could hold him just to make sure he is healthy before I put him with my birds? I'm assuming he's acclimated to cold climate.
Let me know if I'm an option.

[altgirl35]

she is in weymouth right now, but on friday i am taking a cottontail to her, he was hit by a car, got his bottom teeth knocked out and she's willing to winter him over for me.
i could pick him up and keep him in the rehab room till your ready, i havn't turned the heat on in there yet, and could open the window a few days before you come and get him.
pm me your number so loraine can talk to you, she's understandably nervous about where this bird goes