What to do if you have a Stray/Injured Racing Pigeon?
The Pedigree Racing pigeons, which are sometimes found and reported, are very different from the ordinary street pecker pigeons that most people associate as pests.
Pedigree birds when tired, lost or injured will look for the only safe haven they know, which of course is around humans. They only know that lofts, which are found in our backyards are their place to rest and feel safe.
If you have a stray racing pigeon, you will notice that it will have rings on its legs, a metal plastic coated band with registered details and possibly a rubber race ring or even another plastic ring with a mircochip inserted, used for electronic timing systems on the other leg.
If you are able to catch the pigeon, the plastic coated identifying ring will have details, which should help to locate the owner.
An Example maybe the following:
GFPF Ballarat
03 954
0353448184
GFPF Ballarat = This stands for
Goldfields Pigeon Federation Ballarat
03 = The Year the bird was given
the ring for racing as a young bird
954 = The individual identity number for the bird
0353448184 = The phone number to report the bird.
Melbourne Federations have initials such as VHA, MELB, WPF & VRPU. Other country clubs etc. also have a variety of initials, but at least if you write down all the details on the ring, the owner of the pigeon can be contacted via the phone number to collect the pigeon.
If you cannot catch the pigeon, please do not be alarmed! It may only need to be given some food and water for a few days, possibly up to a week, then it should on its own accord, when feeling well in itself, head for his home. If it is injured it will not try to leave its safety area, as it knows that a predator (Falcon) will have no problem catching an injured bird. You can give the pigeon some wheat or other grains, which it will eat and some fresh water.
I always like to get back any pigeons which are reported, as I value all my pigeons. They have given me endless enjoyment and the thrill of watching them grow from a baby to the racing performance bird is amazing.
The way they dive to the loft when returning from any race (or training flight) always gives me the greatest feeling you can possibly imagine, whether they win their races or not - makes no difference!
If you cannot find the owner of a bird, feel free to contact me and I will endeavour to contact the appropriate club or federation, to enable the collection of the bird and have it returned to its home.
Barry Trewin - Phone: 0417 362712
For more information regarding caring for stray pigeons, please contact us.
To Report a Stray/Injured Racing Pigeon: Click Here