Rescued a racing pigeon last night
Discussion
The poor little bugger! I went for some diesel after getting home from work last night, and at the petrol station noticed him, feathers all puffed up, sitting underneath the flowers rack outside the local Shell garage.
I visually checked him and he seemed OK. Went inside and asked the guy behind the counter if anyone knew he was there and he said something along the lines of "oh yeah, but I'm not getting the number off his leg. It's not in my job description."
I sorted him out some water and went home. Told my other half about him and we agreed that we would call at the petrol station again on our way home as we were going to the cinema.
Pulled up around 11:30pm and there he was, sat in the same spot, although the flowers had since been taken away. He looked so scared on his own there. We went in and asked if anything had been done for him and the guy who was now behind the counter said no, nobody had assisted him.
So we put him in the box we had brought just in case, and took him home. He was clearly very used to being handled. I spoke to a member of the owner's family this morning in Bishop Auckland and am expecting a call from him later.
I know most people probably wouldn't help a pigeon, but we are big softies and it always makes me a bit sad that people generally can't be bothered to help a small animal in need.
He spent the night in a box with a folded up towel and some wild bird seed and water
We've named him Kimi, as he should be racing but decided he couldn't be bothered and wanted to have a snooze instead
I visually checked him and he seemed OK. Went inside and asked the guy behind the counter if anyone knew he was there and he said something along the lines of "oh yeah, but I'm not getting the number off his leg. It's not in my job description."
I sorted him out some water and went home. Told my other half about him and we agreed that we would call at the petrol station again on our way home as we were going to the cinema.
Pulled up around 11:30pm and there he was, sat in the same spot, although the flowers had since been taken away. He looked so scared on his own there. We went in and asked if anything had been done for him and the guy who was now behind the counter said no, nobody had assisted him.
So we put him in the box we had brought just in case, and took him home. He was clearly very used to being handled. I spoke to a member of the owner's family this morning in Bishop Auckland and am expecting a call from him later.
I know most people probably wouldn't help a pigeon, but we are big softies and it always makes me a bit sad that people generally can't be bothered to help a small animal in need.
He spent the night in a box with a folded up towel and some wild bird seed and water
We've named him Kimi, as he should be racing but decided he couldn't be bothered and wanted to have a snooze instead
I've got a friend who has raced pidgeons for years....recently called him to a racing pidgeon that had landed and didn't seem to want to get back in the air.
He walked over to it, picked it up and chucked it in the air. I flapped a few times and landed. He picked it up again and snapped it's neck. He said he would do the same with one of his own if it wouldn't fly.
He walked over to it, picked it up and chucked it in the air. I flapped a few times and landed. He picked it up again and snapped it's neck. He said he would do the same with one of his own if it wouldn't fly.
ikarl said:
I've got a friend who has raced pidgeons for years....recently called him to a racing pidgeon that had landed and didn't seem to want to get back in the air.
He walked over to it, picked it up and chucked it in the air. I flapped a few times and landed. He picked it up again and snapped it's neck. He said he would do the same with one of his own if it wouldn't fly.
Yeah they do tend to be a desensitized bunch. He walked over to it, picked it up and chucked it in the air. I flapped a few times and landed. He picked it up again and snapped it's neck. He said he would do the same with one of his own if it wouldn't fly.
This one doesn't seem to want to take off. It's possible he's too fatigued. I'm sure he would find his way home when ready but I was afraid he'd be attacked by something while he was vulnerable.
Of course, sometimes they do just get lost!
Our two cats have been secured well away from him and have not been allowed to know of his presence!
He's not the first I have helped, actually. A few years ago I found one in the woods - beneath a huge Sparrow Hawk that had just got started laying into it. Boy, he was a mess. He had a large wound his back where the hawk had ripped at his flesh. He did make it through the night, so I hope he went on to live a normal pigeon life after that
TroubledSoul said:
y2blade said:
Nicely done OP
Although I fear it won't end well for Kimi
if he makes it home his owner will wring his little feathery neck!
I hope not! I'd rather keep him or find him a new home than have that happen. Although I fear it won't end well for Kimi
if he makes it home his owner will wring his little feathery neck! Find Kimi a nice home
y2blade said:
My Grandfather has kept/bred racing pigeons all his life, any that are late back get twisted
Find Kimi a nice home
Thanks for the heads up. My dad had them too, but I was so young then that I can't remember much about them. Find Kimi a nice home
I will ask the owner tonight what will happen to him and let him know that I will be happy to rehome him if he is going to just be put down.
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