Stray homing pigeon, what to do?

Penny Tration · 10-08-2016 6:37pm #1

Hey, hope this is the right place for this!

A homing pigeon has been in our garden for about a week, disappearing for an hour here or there.

We can't take it into the house because our dog can't deal with other animals around her, but we've been leaving it out birdseed, fat balls, water and bread (soaked in water to soften it).

I went to the Irish Homing Union site and put in its tag details, which gave me a contact number for its owner. However, I've called and texted the number several times since Monday, and it's been switched off the entire time, so presumably it's an out of date number.

Is there anywhere I could find the owners? I've tried searching for pages on Facebook but none are very active, and the IHU's website isn't very helpful, just directing me to put in the tag details, which I've done.

Thanks guys

Penny Tration · 10-08-2016 7:05pm

Extra post to add:

It's not eating the food we've been leaving out, and is very scared and seems weak.

Springwell · 10-08-2016 9:02pm

Email the IHU and explain the situation - they may have another contact. If the pigeon is no good at racing the owner may not be interested in having it back. The last one we called in told us to keep it or wring it's neck

Penny Tration · 10-08-2016 9:06pm

Springwell wrote: »

Email the IHU and explain the situation - they may have another contact. If the pigeon is no good at racing the owner may not be interested in having it back. The last one we called in told us to keep it or wring it's neck

I can't find an email for them unfortunately. I found a mobile number today, but it's unmanned during the times I'm able to use my phone. I'll try grab a few minutes to call it tomorrow.

Can't believe someone told you to kill one, Jesus.

silent_spark · 10-08-2016 9:07pm

I contacted the registered owner of a bird we found stranded, and he didn't seem overly worried. It seems if they get lost enough to get stranded or injured somewhere, the owners don't particularly want the bird back. It's only happened once, so maybe that bird just had a particularly heartless owner. I'm not sure what else you can do, OP. Would the DSPCA or similar be able to advise?

my3cents · 10-08-2016 9:11pm

Penny, sorry but you have a failed racing pigeon, it got lost or ran out of steam either way the owner doesn't really want it back. Some owners will come out and pick them up but no guesses what is likely to happen to them.

Springwell · 10-08-2016 9:14pm

irishhomingunion@hotmail.com

That's the email

Springwell · 10-08-2016 9:15pm

If you can't get hold of them and can catch it, let me know I'll try take it

Penny Tration · 10-08-2016 9:26pm

Thanks everyone, and especially to Springwell for the email! I obviously don't know a lot about pigeons, but the last time it happened, the owner was over within 2 hours, didn't realise they were essentially retired when they get away. Poor little thing seems very scared.

I'll email them now and will update

thanks guys!

Stray homing pigeon, what to do?

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