[claireducky]

Just a note here since it would be of interest to you all as well (already posted on the lost bird forum):

After a batch of storms came through last week (might have been a week and a half ago), we had a pigeon show up on the property. He/she is banded, but I've been unable to catch it thus far. There were some left over milk jug feeders in one of the barns, so I have him set up with grain and water and grit for the moment, but he won't let me near him to catch him. I'm going to have to catch him to get him home, because he obviously was raised here and thinks he IS home. Any suggestions? Anybody know who this bird might belong to? If (s)he was raised here, he is at least a few years old, because it's been several years since the old owner died and over a year since we purchased the place.

Thanks,

Claire

 

[claireducky]

I've gotten some pictures just now of the bird, who we've dubbed "Petey":


The closest I can get to him usually is about 10-15 feet away; I had to take these pictures with a 300mm lens.

 

[Lovebirds]

Does appear to be an older bird and a nice one at that. Are the lofts torn down? There's no way to know where the bird belongs without knowing the band information. I would caution you to be careful about where you post that info, once you get it too, because lots of people would lie, steal and cheat to get their hands on an OHF bird.

 

[Lovebirds]

I sent you a PM and wanted to say I didn't mean to send it twice. LOL

 

[claireducky]

Several of the buildings were sold off before the property came up for sale, but there are two of the larger pigeon buildings left; one has chicken wire covered stalls (about 5x5) outside that have little trap doors going inside to a similar sized stall. The other barn has large stalls inside (large enough we are planning to convert them to horse stalls) covered with a larger grade wire (like what you'd see for a goat fence). These stalls have window boxes that stick out from the stalls and have the finer chicken wire over them. He's taken up residence on top of one of the window boxes in the shade for now.

We don't have much feed left (what I found was left here when the Peemans sold the place), is there a special mix I should get when we run out? It looks like some finely ground shaving stuff along with corn kernels, black seeds, and round seeds like a soybean perhaps. I did find some grit for the bird too, so he's ok there.

 

[Lovebirds]

Several of the buildings were sold off before the property came up for sale, but there are two of the larger pigeon buildings left; one has chicken wire covered stalls (about 5x5) outside that have little trap doors going inside to a similar sized stall. The other barn has large stalls inside (large enough we are planning to convert them to horse stalls) covered with a larger grade wire (like what you'd see for a goat fence). These stalls have window boxes that stick out from the stalls and have the finer chicken wire over them. He's taken up residence on top of one of the window boxes in the shade for now.

We don't have much feed left (what I found was left here when the Peemans sold the place), is there a special mix I should get when we run out? It looks like some finely ground shaving stuff along with corn kernels, black seeds, and round seeds like a soybean perhaps. I did find some grit for the bird too, so he's ok there.

Can you open those little trap doors? or are they open? It's really hard to say if the bird was actually raised AND raced from there or if it's truly smart enough to know how to get back there, even after having been possibly sold as a youngster. If the trap doors and the bob traps that many racers use, he may just go inside at some point.
Do you know if there's a racing pigeon club anywhere near you? They have to get feed from somewhere, but you're looking at buying a 50lb bag if you do fine some.
Do you know where the bird roosts at night? They can be pretty much just picked up in the dark. They can't see you coming.

 

[claireducky]

I've opened the outside screen door to the nearest outside stall and propped it with a bucket. He watched me as I moved his food and water from on top of the window box to inside the stall on a ledge. Hopefully if he is smart enough to make it here he can figure out to go inside the stall, then we can shut the door! ^^

 

[Lovebirds]

Maybe that will work. If not, there's this:

http://www.racingbirds.com/ptrap.html

Good luck with catching him. If you need anything else, don't hesitate to ask.

 

[claireducky]

Update: Petey fell for it, followed the trail of grain on the ground right into the stall. I shut him in and managed to catch him and get his number without too many ruffled feathers! (har har!)

I've called the racing club who's code appeared on the band and left a message; so hopefully somebody will get back to me!

 

[TAWhatley]

Update: Petey fell for it, followed the trail of grain on the ground right into the stall. I shut him in and managed to catch him and get his number without too many ruffled feathers! (har har!)

I've called the racing club who's code appeared on the band and left a message; so hopefully somebody will get back to me!

Good job! Congratulations to both you and Petey for a safe and happy outcome!

Terry

 

[Lovebirds]

That's great! Guess it wasn't an OHF band after all?

 

[TAWhatley]

That's great! Guess it wasn't an OHF band after all?

I was wondering about that myself ..

Terry

 

[Lovebirds]

I was wondering about that myself ..

Terry

Seemed kinda of weird for a bird to show up there without an OHF band, but I guess Chris flew birds with other bands too. We all do.....LOL

 

[claireducky]

Nope, it's a CCBI band. I do know that other people sent their birds here sometimes to be raised, since Chris had races here every year. Perhaps this guy is one of those.

 

[Lovebirds]

Nope, it's a CCBI band. I do know that other people sent their birds here sometimes to be raised, since Chris had races here every year. Perhaps this guy is one of those.

Gee whizz.........that's 400 miles from you.
You're right about the races that Chris held. This is probably a bird that was sent to him for a race and then bought back after the race was over.
Sure hope you hear from someone. If not, let us know.

 

[RodSD]

Good luck taking care of that bird and finding out the owner.

 

[Timber]

Yeah good luck on finding the owner of the bird. If for some reason they dont want it back or do not contact you, PLEASE let us know! Im not the only one here who would love to take it in....LOL

 

[bloodlines_365]

PLEASE let us know! Im not the only one here who would love to take it in....LOL

this is so dopeeeee....yeah me too

 

[Lovebirds]

this is so dopeeeee....yeah me too

Is it just me or does that bird not look like a fabulous specimen? There's just something about it...........

 

[Kal-El]

One of my best birds was a stray I caught at an old guy's house. He did have a band number on it, but when I contacted the owner, he just told me to breed it. I did and the kids have flown very well.