Hi everyone, one of my neighbors has brought in a pigeon from the streets that was injured and lost the ability to fly. I'd already been feeding the flock in our building so I took an interest in this situation. The pigeon is missing feathers at the end of the right wing, which is why it can't fly. I saw it extend the wing normally so I don't believe it's broken or with anything too serious going on (although I'm not an expert or a vet).
The neighbor leaves the pigeon in the communal (enclosed) yard all day, then retrieves it at night, but not every night. I'm concerned that this pigeon isn't getting enough food (since it can't fly outside the yard, and has to compete with the other pigeons for whatever food I give it) and that it's generally unhappy being outside in an unfamiliar place, with a foreign flock and an injured wing. It spends most of the time near a tree and doesn't really do much else. It's active when approached, though, and does eat and look for food. When it doesn't get retrieved at night it just sleeps alone on the ground in a lit portion of the yard.
I want to ask my neighbor if I can take the pigeon in myself until it can fly again (assuming it'll ever be able to). About this, I have a few questions:
Thanks in advance for your help.
The neighbor leaves the pigeon in the communal (enclosed) yard all day, then retrieves it at night, but not every night. I'm concerned that this pigeon isn't getting enough food (since it can't fly outside the yard, and has to compete with the other pigeons for whatever food I give it) and that it's generally unhappy being outside in an unfamiliar place, with a foreign flock and an injured wing. It spends most of the time near a tree and doesn't really do much else. It's active when approached, though, and does eat and look for food. When it doesn't get retrieved at night it just sleeps alone on the ground in a lit portion of the yard.
I want to ask my neighbor if I can take the pigeon in myself until it can fly again (assuming it'll ever be able to). About this, I have a few questions:
- What's the minimum size the enclosure should be? I'd be keeping it indoor so I don't have infinite space.
- I'd like to let it roam outside the cage sometimes, but I'm a bit concerned about droppings. I know pet pigeons get put in diapers sometimes, but this is a feral pigeon and I don't think pants would be welcome. What do you guys think?
- I have a cat, but he's very elderly and not a hunter, so I don't believe he'd be a danger to the pigeon. Regardless of that, how much should I allow them to interact with each other, if at all? Can the pigeon ever see the cat from inside the enclosure or would it be too scary for a bird? Can any illness be passed between the two animals?
Thanks in advance for your help.
