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#1
19th September 2007, 04:19 PM
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My wife has concerns about my new interest....I have a very concerned wife. She thinks I have lost mind with my new interest in pigeons. I came home with three 3 week babies. Now she has worries about the family getting bird flu or other avian diseases. She (and I ) has thought of wild pigeons as "nasty" birds and carriers of multiple diseases. She has always been very supportive of my hobbies but this one seems to be pushing her over the edge.
Help, Barry 
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#2
19th September 2007, 04:41 PM
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Hi BARRY, In OCT27 there is a big young bird show in Louisville Ky this is a young bird show and there will be 2 or 3 thousend birds at this show.Maybe if you live close you could that the family to see the different kinds of pigeons. I am sure that you will hear from others with their ideas What breed of pigeons are you intrested in? She may feel different about show type as they don't look like the street pigeon,so you may need to get a breed like FANTAIL or TURBIT. .GEORGE
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#4
19th September 2007, 05:04 PM
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Hi Barry, and welcome. You have chosen a wonderful new hobby. Your wife's reaction is not uncommon when dealing with pigeons, as they have a bad rep in many places, which fortunately is mostly myth. This site is filled with info on pigeons, and many others who have concerns about health issues. I found a few things that have info from members on other threads (sorry, turned out to be quite a bit of information, and there's much more to read that I haven't added):
***** Feral pigeons, also called city doves or city pigeons, find the ledges of high buildings a perfect substitute for sea cliffs, and have become abundant in cities all over the world. However, they are often considered a pest or even vermin, owing to concerns that they spread disease (perhaps unfounded, see 1), damage property, cause pollution with their excrement, and drive out other bird species. However, it has not been a proven any sort of pigeon to human diseases...... Spread of disease Though feral pigeons are often associated with the threat of disease, this is actually a fairly recent idea. Brought about and popularized in part by pest control companies in the 1980s, the concept of dangerously communicable diseases spread by these city dwelling birds stands in stark contrast to reality.[2] To quote Dr. Manuel Vargas of the New York City Department of Health: "[We have] no documented cases of communicable disease transmitted from pigeons to humans." Pigeon DO NOT spread any diseases to humans, in other words , humans cannot get sick from a pigeon.[3] ***** http://www.urbanwildlifesociety.org/zoonoses/PijZoonosRskAZ.html ***** Certainly, anyone whose immune system is compromised should avoid prolonged or frequent close contact, particularly (but not exclusively) in enclosed spaces, with any birds (whether it be pigeon, parrot, finch, cockatiel....) due to the risk of inhalation of feather dust and animal proteins. What is commonly called pigeon fanciers' lung - though it is not solely contracted by pigeon keepers - is not actually a disease of birds, but primarily due to the foregoing. ***** Humans do carry, and distribute to other humans, many many more diseases than pigeons ever could. Just in the average day you would be astounded at how many different kinds of bacteria or viruses each person has transferrd to them by both direct contact and airborne paths. Go to the market? Ever think about who last gripped the handle of your grocery cart? And every door handle you touch or telephone you pick up at work is virtually crawling with organisms. Like fast food? You wouldn't want to see what could be cultured from it. Ride on a bus, train or plane or spend time in a building with recirculated air? You are breathing a soup of germs. I could go on and on, but pigeons are WAAAAAY down the list as possible sources of disease in our daily world. But no one gets panicky about door handles. Give me a nice clean pigeon over a nasty disease ridden human any time. ***** If a pigeon poops in your house, it's nowhere near the danger to you that it is if you go and poop in his house. They've got a lot more to fear from us than the other way around. ***** People fear what they don't know or understand. Most people who are not interested in pigeons will not take the time to educate themselves about the many misconceptions of pigeons. Pigeons have been stigmatized as "rats with wings" by someone in the TV business a long time ago and it's unfortunately stuck in the minds of the masses. Rats are associated with disease and were indirectly responsible for some very serious plagues in human history. Fleas on other mammals are often vectors to transmitting diseases to humans. In any case, all these misconceptions of pigeons being dirty, disease ridden creatures is all founded on human ignorance. So, do your part and keep educating people around you in your life about your pigeons and provide them with some truths! ***** And you know, I have gotten sick many times from those sick dirty humans that polute their enviroment something crazy and yet I have never gotten sick from a pigeon. ***** I have often wished that each person on the globe could be exposed to how sweet and wonderful pigeons can be. Every pigeon we get in fills my heart with joy and love. They are smart, comical, nosy, exuberant, and cantankerous at times and all in all great little guys. I think most people simply don't know them and believe the propaganda that is said about them. ***** Most humans carry over 250 different bacteria on their bodies. I would think there is more chance of contracting a condition from another human than a pigeon. ***** I've had people say to me many times when they know I have pet pigeons, rescue, and rehab them and they say aren't you afraid of getting sick from them. I found no matter what you say to people there are some that just don't get it threw their heads that it's not the pigeon you need to worry about, it's humans and catching something from them. I also say how I deal with pigeons everyday and not once caught anything from them. ***** In all the years I have been caring for birds and other animals at home and working in a vet clinic, I wasn't sick once. This past year I went back to work with humans in hospitals and I was sick three times. Most germs are species specific and there are only few that are transmittalbe from animals to humans. ***** There were five years I enjoyed with pigeons sharing my house, and during that time period I had no adverse side-effects or health problems whatsoever. Now my many birds live outside and I spend much of my time with them and continue to enjoy excellent health, even more so than many people, due to the therapeutic effects of my pets. Unfortunately, there are many out there who do not respect these lovely "rats with wings" and therefore are biased (and not always honest/factual) when reporting supposed "facts". This includes many humane societies, veterinarians, rescue groups, web sites, and others who may or may not have an animal's best interest in mind. Hopefully our site and members, with all of the knowledge, personal experience, and willingness to guide others, will continue to assist in uncovering the truth about these healthy, lovable, and intelligent birds we call pigeons. ***** You might want to read a book: Pigeons: The Fascinating Saga of the World's Most Revered and Reviled Bird by Andrew D. Blechman It may give some insight into the psychology. ***** Conservation biologist Scott Wilbur, with the Tucson Audubon Society, echoed Hansen's comments on the program. "Pigeons are no more disease-prone than any other birds," he said. "It is true that it is not healthy to be in areas with large groups of defecating birds, or rats for that matter. Then disease can spread." ***** Wild pigeons are not extremely clean- but nor are our pet dogs. It is completely untrue that there are 40 diseases which can be transmitted from pigeon to human, as well as that they regurgitate when drinking. I have raised pigeons for a long time. I hand feed their babies, and they are affectionate, intelligent creatures that are naturally clean. Like all birds, they spend a good amount of time preening their feathers, taking baths and trying to keep things in order. It is not the pigeons fault that they live under such conditions - in fact, it is ours. If we were to give them proper places to raise their young, they would raise them in a very clean and orderly fashion. If you do not recall, pigeons have helped out in the war. You may say, "Oh, but those were domestic pigeons, and the pigeons you're raising are also domestic," but in fact, all pigeons originate from the feral. I have raised many ferals that I rescued from terrible conditions. They are loving, affectionate and clean companions. And regards to droppings, it's not a bird's fault that they have very fast metabolism. Bird droppings are 100% cleaner than cat, dog, and human droppings. Bird droppings also help to spread plants around. Pigeons are domestic animals, and like dogs and cats, will resort to eating garbage if it saves their lives. ***** And last but not least, an excellent link to many helpful pigeon facts and quotes: http://www.urbanwildlifesociety.org/...PijZoonos.html Please share some of this info with your wife and hopefully it will relieve her anxiety about possible illnesses or unwanted issues dealing with these lovely, affectionate, and clean birds. Please feel free to ask any questions and to share any thoughts with us.
__________________
A rescuer's work is never done  "You can judge a society by the way it treats its animals" -Gandhi Talk to me, Coo to me, Bow to me, Listen to me. And I'll teach you To fly with me And I will love you Like no other.... http://picasaweb.google.com/awrats3333 21 Amazing Facts You Might Not Know About Pigeons! Last edited by maryjane; 19th September 2007 at 05:08 PM.
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#7
19th September 2007, 07:41 PM
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Hello bjanzen,
You need to take yourself and your wife to go see Mr. Alvin Petty. He is a member of the Chattannooga Racing Pigeon Club. His loft and setup should impress just about anybody. He is a very nice guy and I am sure would welcome a visit. If you contact the American Racing Pigeon Union at... www.pigeon.org ...they should be able to put you in touch with the club and through them Alvin. There is no question that some people's set ups are less than impressive but there are many people who run impecable lofts. The Chattannooga club is very active and should be able to help you with whatever you might need. Dan
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#8
19th September 2007, 08:41 PM
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My wife thinks that I am a Nerd. I hope to heck that I win some Futurity money this year so I can buy her something nice. I figure she likes gifts and I like birds. I think she is a bit jellous of the birds. So the moral to the story is that you should not care what she thinks, do what you want. Oh yea make sure you win her something so she does not leave you. Just tell her that you are trying to decide between the birds and getting a second job as a bouncer at the local strip bar. Tell her you need something to occupy your spare time.
All kidding aside. We have all faced opposition whether male or female about this hobby of ours. Have her sit down with you and go on a site like Pigeonparadise where she can see the history, the nice garden lofts, the huge houses these guys have bought with pigeon money and the thousand dollar birds. Get on a page that shows all the breeds. The bottom line is that it is a great family hobbie. One that some of us have to keep in the closet because of what others think. One that is not glamorous. One that fills many of our thoughts, desires, and emotions. She can always call my wife. P.S. Make sure you scoup the poop. Randy
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#9
19th September 2007, 08:53 PM
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Hi Barry!
Sometimes, starting with the show type pijies will help. How does your wife feel about parrots or other exotic birds? I'm not suggesting that you go the exotic route. Just wanting to know how she feels about birds in general...Is she just against pigeons? Time and the right bird(s) can help make a tremendous attitude adjustment. Good luck! Some excellent suggestions by our members too! Shi & Squeaks (who changed my life! Because of him, I met the nicest people who became friends and "family.") 
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#10
19th September 2007, 08:57 PM
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Quote:
Too late.....I was there today.....hence the problem. All was fine until I showed up with three birds in a carry cage  He is a great guy.....and I think he will be able to help me get a good start. Barry
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#11
19th September 2007, 08:59 PM
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Quote:
Barry
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#12
19th September 2007, 09:03 PM
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HOWEVER, there is enough information around that indicates PIGEONS are THE LEAST of our worries regarding Bird Flu! When a pigeon has actually been given the virus and still doesn't get Bird Flu...well... Since they won't be house birds, will that make a difference in her attitude?? Shi
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#13
19th September 2007, 09:16 PM
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my wife thinks i'm crazy too. she says i spend more time with them than my son. My son cant play with the pigeons because he's a two year old. He squeezed one to death once...never again..
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#15
19th September 2007, 09:46 PM
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Quote:
Communicatiion is a MUST in situations like this... Sometimes rooting out just why someone feels the way they do can help reach a solution. Genuine caring concern can make a big difference in discussions. Many people feel the way they do because of a bad experience, negative publicity, how others will think, a fear of birds, etc. Best of everything. I'm sure all will be well... Shi & Squeaks
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