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If
there is No band on its leg, it is a wild pigeon and does
not belong to any pigeon fancier or club.
If you find an injured pigeon without a band on its
leg, and it cannot be released, contact your local Humane Society.
What
to do if you find a lost pigeon:
Water
Most
lost birds are hungry and thirsty.
Water is extremely important for all pigeons/doves.
Since pigeons drink by suction, any water container you provide
should be at least 1 in. (2.5 cm) deep.
Shallow cups or bowls with some weight to them work best but any
open container, i.e., a dish, an old margarine container tub, etc., will
work. The less stable or
secure the container, the greater the likelihood of spillage.
A thirsty bird may drink immediately, and it may not.
Strange surroundings, fear, injury, or other animals in the
household may intimidate or distract the bird from drinking.
Dehydration is the biggest danger to a lost pigeon/dove and just
like humans; this condition can make the bird a bit less than itself.
Lost domesticated birds may be so exhausted, they don’t even
realize that water is in front of them, especially since the water
container you are providing is different from the one they have used
their entire life. A good
trick to make the bird aware of the water you have presented is to make
a slight splashing sound with your finger.
Birds are very familiar with the sound of water and this is one
of the best ways for you to help identify your gift.
If a bird looks really exhausted, Gatorade or other commercial
sports drink may be added to the water.
A teaspoon or two per cup (250 ml) of water will help replenish
electrolytes.
Food
Pigeons
are grain eaters. While
ferel city or park pigeons will eat bread, french fries, or other
discarded food, domestic pigeons have been raised on a multi cereal
grain diet frequently mixed with specialized pigeon pellets.
If domesticated show pigeons or performing pigeons are presented
with bread and milk, they will not recognize it as a food source.
Instead of bread, the most readily available food source is a
commercial blend of wild birdseed mixed with popcorn.
Additionally, raw dried grain such as rice, pearled barley, split
pea, or canary seed, make a good additive to the above mix or may be fed
separately based upon availability.
THESE GRAINS SHOULD NOT BE COOKED OR POPPED BUT FED RAW.
Water should be provided since pigeons normally drink immediately
after eating.
What
Should I Keep It In?
Most
any dry container that provides both security and ventilation will
suffice as a temporary home.
An old birdcage will easily house a pigeon for a few days.
Probably the most readily available temporary housing is a
cardboard box.
An old screen or grate placed over the top of the box works well
in providing protection, airflow, and sufficient lighting to allow the
bird to eat and drink.
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Finding
the bird's owner.
If the bird has a plastic or
metal band or ring on its leg, the owner can be traced through one of
the national pigeon organizations.
If the bird you have saved is a fancy show pigeon, the owner is
probably very near where you originally found the bird.
If the bird is a racing homer, the owner could live hundreds of
miles from you and this step may not be necessary.
After twenty-four to forty-eight hours rest with food and water,
most non-injured racing homer pigeons will be capable of continuing
their journey home. Simply
release the bird in an area free of wires or other near by obstacles and
it will gratefully fly home. Please,
NEVER attach a note to the bird’s leg by rubber band or string.
This procedure has resulted in numerous cases of broken legs,
gangrene, and amputation.
HOW
TO READ THE PLASTIC OR METAL IDENTIFICATION RING OR LEG BAND
The letters on the band will tell you the origin of the bird.
(EXAMPLE BAND BELOW)
Say... the band number reads, NPA 7 07 AT 1089
The ( NPA ) means it originated from the National Pigeon Association.
The
(7) is the band size.
The
(07) is the year the pigeon was born.
The
(AT) is the band alphabetical sequence.
The
(1089) is a unique serial number for identifying that individual bird
Domestic Pigeons with individually identifiable leg bands are registered
with one of several National Pigeon Organizations.
Below are some email contacts to Nationally recognized pigeon
organizations.
NPA
= NATIONAL PIGEON ASSOCIATION
pm66052@cox.net
IF
= INTERNATIONAL FEDERATION ORG.
www.ifpigeon.com
AU = AMERICAN RACING PIGEON UNION
ORGANIZATION
www.pigeon.org
CU
= CANADIAN PIGEON UNION www.canadianracingpigeonunion.com
IPB
= INDEPENDENT PIGEON BREEDERS http://www.foyspigeonsupplies.com
NBRC
= NATIONAL BIRMINGHAM CLUB
www.nbrconline.com
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