Expert: Abi - 5/2/2008

Question
My friend found a baby pigeon at work. He works at one of the Steel Mills in Gary In. The bird can't fly yet,it still has fuzz where feathers are beginning to grow. he brought it home and we have it in our dogs old kennel with a box and some leaves the cage botttom is lined with newspapers. We gave it some water in a margerine container as well as gravel and grit food. It drinks the water and eats the food how do we know its eating enough. we take it out on our deck and let it walk around,the last few days it has been really strtching its wings out and flapping more and more,it also walks/spins around in circles! We would like to keep the bird, our german shepherd thinks it is his baby and our totally declawed cat is being very friendly as well.Please help

Answer
I think pidgeons can make quite friendly pets but I'm not sure. If you want to stop him flying then you could clip his wings- this is just cutting the feathers and not hurting him. Cut his flight feathers at the tip of his wing. If in doubt go on www.omlet.co.uk and see the information on clipping chickens wings.
You'll have to ask someone whos a pidgeon specialist about food. I'm sure you can get proper pidgeon food from your pet store- just ask around.

Thanks for your question.