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DSIS rescue pigeon

5 replies

camtt · 26/05/2017 22:31

At the insistence of DN, DSis rescued a tiny wood pigeon chick from her very prolific cat a few weeks ago. Pigeon has survived, but in trying to fly recently, crash landed and seems to have hurt its leg - it hasn't been hopping about for a couple of days. She'd ideally like the pigeon to go back to being a wild pigeon when it is able to fend for itself, but is this unrealistic? Has anyone ever kept a pet pigeon and if so, any tips?

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HanarCantWearSweaters · 26/05/2017 22:35

It will be irresponsible to return the pigeon to the wild if it has become too tame. What area is your sister? I can try and find a local wildlife rescue that can take the chick on. It really needs medical attention by someone who knows what they're doing.

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HanarCantWearSweaters · 26/05/2017 22:36

Also, what is she feeding it? Pigeon chicks require gavaging, I am surprised it has survived this long, unless it is old enough that it is fending for itself from seed?

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camtt · 26/05/2017 22:41

she is in rural essex, but the places she has tried treat pigeons as vermin would destroy it. She did tell me what she was feeding it but afraid I can't remember, but she has explained to me about pigeon parents regurgitating for the chicks... so she has looked it up as best she could and it seems to be doing ok feeding wise. I think yes it is tame now, recognises her, sits on her etc. But their cat really is a demon, I once spent a weekend there and it brought in a baby rabbit, a bird, a mouse and finally a grass snake, I can't imagine the pigeon would survive long if it couldn't get out of the area of the cat.

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HanarCantWearSweaters · 26/05/2017 22:48

I can't think of any wildlife rescue I have worked with that treats woodpigeons as vermin.
Is she able to get to Orsett? South Essex Wildlife Hospital are great. Their number is 01375 893893.

The problem with gavaging pigeons, if it is young enough to require it still, is that it is very easy to misplace the syringe and end up aspirating the food into the bird's lungs. They have a small hole at the back of their mouth that connects to their airway.

Even if she can't get it the hospital, could she give them a call at least and they may be able to advise on someone closer or a pickup point.

And possibly a bell for the cat?

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camtt · 26/05/2017 23:07

I'll suggest the South Essex Wildlife hospital to her, I'm sure she can at least call, although sh'e near Cambridgeshire so probably not all that near. Think she is slightly regretting this rescue, although would keep the pigeon as a pet if she could work out an acceptable way to do it. Thank you!