Hi, sorry this is so long and forgive my ignorance but I'm worried now. I rescued a wild pigeon that had been injured and lost his wing with with some neurological damage. He lives outside in a cage that is plywood on the front and back with chicken wire on the side so it is well ventilated but I have used the deep litter for the last year as he hates to be disturbed. Even moving his food bowls around will cause him to stop eating. So I leave him alone. When I'm cleaning or feeding is the only time we interact, maybe less than a minute a day. .

. However, the other day he decided to hop/flap out of his cage over the top of me, stirring up the feather dust etc. After a good chase around the yard, he was returned to his coop. But now, I have asthma-like symptoms. I do have mild asthma but it has been in remission for years now. Should I worry about pigeon dust disease? Sorry, freaking out here, been reading horror stories. Thank you for any advice.

First of all, WELCOME!!

Could be a concern, Murlainn, but I'm not a doctor. I do know that people who have any type of respiratory problems are at risk.

I'm sure our other members will be along to add their comments. I would suggest wearing a mask, at least, when cleaning. If someone else could clean, that would be ideal!

The chicken wire may be a concern as nasty critters can get through it. Hardware cloth is much better and could be put over the chicken wire.

Thank you for taking in this pigeon. A mate would be nice if that would be at all possible. If you have a hen, another hen would be fine, but two males aren't a good idea...(yes, I know! One thing at a time! )

Can you post a picture of your pigeon?

ALL the best!

Shi with my gang: Mr. Squeaks/Dom/Gimie/WoeBeGone

If you have asthma I would wear a mask if your going to be around pigeon dust.
It will cause your asthma to act up because of the fine dust particles that are stirred up.
Other than that I really dont think you have much else to worry about.

Hi Murlainn,

Welcome to the forum.

Pigeon breeder’s disease – no you cannot get it the way you interact with your pigeon. Fanciers exposed day to day bases to dust of pigeon faeces develop disease after years and only 20% of them according statistics. (We are talking many hours per day and many birds in the coop)

You may have allergy to dust in general and this combined with dormant asthma may caused a problem. Let him bath more often and put some apple cider vinegar (1 teaspoon) in his bath water to take care of feather dust. Chasing him around the yard is also possibility for such a reaction depending on your physical condition.

Thank you all for your comments. I'm still obsessing but I feel a little better about the whole thing.

Desert Fire... His/Her? cage is up off the ground and there are dogs and a very protective raven near by so the only critter problem has been a rat that chewed through the plywood but that got fixed. And NOOOO, I do not want to find him a friend Last year someone brought another one who also had been injured and they seemed to like each other but a few days later she/he was dead. I found original pigeon standing on her. It was very sad. So NOOO again

Plamenh... I've tried the bathwater thing but as I said, any changes freak him out and he huddles in his box. I noticed today he's not eating. I moved his food dish the other day to make things more escape proof. He's a weird bird and I'm not a pigeon raiser. Probably not a good combination.

Thank you all again. You'be been very kind and logical. I appreciate it.

Murlainn wrote:Thank you all for your comments. I'm still obsessing but I feel a little better about the whole thing.

Desert Fire... His/Her? cage is up off the ground and there are dogs and a very protective raven near by so the only critter problem has been a rat that chewed through the plywood but that got fixed. And NOOOO, I do not want to find him a friend Last year someone brought another one who also had been injured and they seemed to like each other but a few days later she/he was dead. I found original pigeon standing on her. It was very sad. So NOOO again

Plamenh... I've tried the bathwater thing but as I said, any changes freak him out and he huddles in his box. I noticed today he's not eating. I moved his food dish the other day to make things more escape proof. He's a weird bird and I'm not a pigeon raiser. Probably not a good combination.

Thank you all again. You'be been very kind and logical. I appreciate it.

Have you considered trying to find a home for this bird? Somewhere where it could be around other pigeons? They ARE very social creatures and I expect your little guy is pretty lonely.
We of the "pigeon" world have lots of resources and know lots of people in lots of places. We just might be able to help you place him in a better situation.

Yes, everyone, I feel guilty and know this is not the best situation for him. When he first showed up, we did try to find a home for him. I put ads in the paper, contacted our local zoo and animal control. A friend from Northern Ireland who was into pigeon racing even used his contacts. Nobody wanted him. He was in such a state we didn't even think he'd last but here is it two years later.

In the beginning, I tried to make nice with him but having no experience with pigeon psychology, it didn't work. So at this point, he and I only tolerate each other and at certain times of the year, he barely does that. So yes, if someone with pigeon knowledge and love would like him, I'd be thrilled for him to find a good home.

And no, Gladys, I don't think he killed the new bird, it had no marks on it and they had been getting along quite well. To tell the truth, he actually looked sad, if that's possible. He does seem to have a good personality. He's very responsive and always watches me out in the yard, but that might be more suspicious nature than curiosity.

Thank you again everyone for the comments and welcomes. I'll get a picture of him as soon as he comes out of his box.

p.s If it helps to find him a home, I'm in Kern County, in California.

Murlainn wrote:p.s If it helps to find him a home, I'm in Kern County, in California.

LOL.....glad you said that. I thought you were in Ireland!! LOL
I"ll be gone tomorrow most of the day, but I'll do some checking and see if I can come up with anything.

LOL.....glad you said that. I thought you were in Ireland!! LOL

I WISH! LOL Thanks for helping. I'm sorry, my friend told me what kind of pigeon he thought it might be but I don't remember. Hopefully a picture will be able to give you all more info.

Here s/he is. I just took this and it's shady back there but his purple and green are very iridescent in the light. He does look a bit molty.

Hi Murlainn, nice to have you here.

I'm glad some of the members were able to reassure you about your concerns about pigeon lung disease.

It's so nice that you've done your best to care for this bird, even though he's not been the friendliest with you. I'm sure, deep down , he appreciates it!

Linda

I, too, thought you were in Ireland and all I could think of was....there goes a pretty reasonable chance of finding another home. Although we have people from all over the world, I don't know how many contacts in Ireland we would have!

In CA, the chances are much better...hopefully, that he could find another home with more pigeons. He's a handsome pij!

Fingers crossed and sending Love, Hugs and Scritches
Shi

Desert Fire wrote:I, too, thought you were in Ireland and all I could think of was....there goes a pretty reasonable chance of finding another home. Although we have people from all over the world, I don't know how many contacts in Ireland we would have!

In CA, the chances are much better...hopefully, that he could find another home with more pigeons. He's a handsome pij!

Fingers crossed and sending Love, Hugs and Scritches
Shi

Jojo is from Ireland although he hasn't been active for a while. I agree, much better chances for re-homing in CA.
Welcome to the forum Murlainn!

Once again, I'd like to thank everyone for being so helpful and welcoming. I'm breathing better so apparently I don't have pigeon disease. :]

And you all have such pretty birds. If anyone can tell what brand of pigeon Mr. P is, I'd like to know. I'll keep checking back to see if anyone maybe finds him a home where he can have better company. We will both appreciate it.

Murlainn wrote:Once again, I'd like to thank everyone for being so helpful and welcoming. I'm breathing better so apparently I don't have pigeon disease. :]

And you all have such pretty birds. If anyone can tell what brand of pigeon Mr. P is, I'd like to know. I'll keep checking back to see if anyone maybe finds him a home where he can have better company. We will both appreciate it.

Mr. P is just your normal every day feral pigeon. Technically, they are called "homing" pigeons. He looks like he's in good health. I've sent you a PM and can put you in contact with a couple of people who will be more than happy to find the right situation/home for this poor guy where he'll have lots of friends.

Mr. P is just your normal every day feral pigeon.

Well, he's pretty anyway I thought there was something about him not having a stripe on his wings that made him a certain breed. Regardless, it's good to know he looks healthy.

I will check the mail and go from there. Thank you sooo much!!

I typed a reply and lost it so if two turn up, my apologies..

Murlainn wrote:Mr. P is just your normal every day feral pigeon.

Well, he's pretty anyway I thought there was something about him not having a stripe on his wings that made him a certain breed. Regardless, it's good to know he looks healthy.

I will check the mail and go from there. Thank you sooo much!!

I typed a reply and lost it so if two turn up, my apologies..

LOL> I didn't mean that in a derogatory way. ....sorry...........I just meant that he's just a regular pigeon. There are over 300 different breeds out there. He's actually what is called a Dark Check. MOST ferals are either Blue Bar's, which is what you referred to, Blue Checks or Dark Checks. Then you have to occassional one with some white, which would make them Splashed and THEN there are a few Reds and Whites out there.

Dark Check

THat sounds familiar. And oh No, I didn't think you were being derogatory in the least. I just meant that in general, mutt or not, he is still pretty. :] I've seen the red/white ones. They're beautiful. My step mom had one years ago. Peter was his name. He flew into the kitchen one day and landed in the middle of a birthday cake. He was a character.