AboutStacie G. Expertise I can answer questions related to health, care, behavior, and breeding. If you have an emergency situation, please take it to a veterinarian with avian experience. Unfortunately I do not know much about actually racing pigeons, but I do show exhibition king pigeons.
Experience I have raised pigeons for approximately 12 years now. I got started in the hobby by rescuing an injured feral when I was 12 years old and successfully rehabilitated him. Unfortunately, he was not releasable and so I kept him until he passed about two years ago. From that feral, I actually realized that pigeons were great companions and I had dismissed any previous misconceptions I had heard about them.
Now I am focusing my attention to the show king although I do have a few racing homers, utility kings, and MFC helmets.
Organizations National Pigeon Association
American King Club
Education/Credentials Mainly self-taught with my own experiences, but I have supplemented my knowledge with books and information from NPA and AKC.
Awards and Honors Numerous Best of Breed and Reserve of Breed in 4-H shows; Two Best in Shows acquired while in 4-H. (7 years ago!)
Best of Show and Reserve of Show in county fair
Expert: Stacie G. Date: 7/16/2008 Subject: found lost pigeon
Question I found a lost pigeon yesterday that won't fly and it was on the door at work. You can pet it and hold it. I tried to help it fly but it didn't just walked. Everyone at work wanted to call the human siciety. But I didn't thinking they will just kill it. I took it home put it in a box bought food and give it water. And it's in the patio on the 3rd fl. It got out of the box and sit there not trying to fly. The wings are good, it can flap both wings very good. Can I do anything else to make it live and make it fly. The people at work say he/she might be poisoned.
Please help Gloria
Answer Hi Gloria,
Thank you for rescuing this pigeon. Have you noticed any bands or identification on its legs? Are there feral flocks that live around the area? Is it fully feathered? If it is an adult feral and healthy it would not want human contact and would struggle to get away. It sounds as though it might be sick and poisoning is not uncommon. Look inside its mouth for any yellowish cheesy-like growths as that would be an indication of canker. Does it turn its head any weird way or hold any of its wings down? Does it sit fluffed up with its eyes closed? Have you noticed any injuries? For now, you can keep it in a quiet warm room with seed and water. Spread some seed near it and see if that spikes its interest. Also, when you hold it, can you feel its breast bone well and does it feel rather skinny? How do the dropping look?
