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 Georgie, our semi-blind feral pigeon

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Matilda
rattyfied
AZWhitefeather
Mrs.AviatorRodent
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Mrs.AviatorRodent
Special Pigeon Angel
Mrs.AviatorRodent


Posts : 357
Join date : 2010-01-13
Age : 41
Location : Kent, UK

Georgie, our semi-blind feral pigeon Empty
PostSubject: Georgie, our semi-blind feral pigeon   Georgie, our semi-blind feral pigeon Icon_minitimeThu Jan 14, 2010 5:19 pm

My husband and I live with two feral pigeons, and both are very special. I’d like to share with you the story of Georgie, our first pigeon.

Georgie was found abandoned under a tree when she was about a month old. She was taken to a wildlife rescue centre for hand-rearing and the staff there soon discovered that she had funny cloudy eyes. It seemed that she couldn’t see properly through them. A vet diagnosed her with having glaucoma, however, we now think this is a misdiagnosis since Georgie isn’t completely blind and doesn’t exhibit any signs of having pain in her eyes (I don’t know much about glaucoma in birds so I could be wrong in my thoughts).

Now many people may think that the staff at the rescue centre should have put Georgie to sleep since she wouldn’t be a releasable bird, however, they decided not to since by that time they had become quite attached to Georgie. Her only disability is her sight and she was growing up as a healthy outgoing pigeon. Although Georgie was reared with a few other pigeon squabs she didn’t seem to interact or connect with them. She became attached to humans from the very beginning and it was soon very obvious that she wouldn’t do well in an aviary. Georgie needed to live in a home with people.

And so she was homed with me and my husband. Georgie lives indoors with us and she has the run of the flat. While we know she hasn’t got full vision we have noticed that she reacts to light and can see some movement. She is now about 2 years old and her eyes have become less cloudy.

Feeding Georgie was a problem from the beginning. Being semi-blind we had to gavage feed her for a year before she finally began to feed for herself. Whilst being gavage fed on a bird-rearing mix she also had some peanuts popped down her throat. Georgie was, and still is, a small slim pigeon and we wanted to make sure she got a source of fat in her. We also kept a bowl of seed in her cage (where she stays during the night and whenever we aren’t at home) just in case.

One day Georgie found the peanut jar and started popping them down herself!! We couldn’t believe it and it was a day of great joy for us. Feeling great After that we made greater efforts to get her to feed herself on seed and it took us a few more weeks before we were successful. Now Georgie knows where her seed bowl is in her cage and eats for herself. She really didn’t like to be gavage fed when she got older but we couldn’t stop it until we were sure she was eating enough seed for herself. You all know what messy eaters pigeons can be, swishing seed this was and that way out of the bowl!! Georgie is the same even though she cannot really see the seed she’s eating. Peanuts remain her favourite although she doesn’t gorge on them like she used to. I think that she was so happy to finally realise how to eat for herself that she overdid it in the beginning. Happy

Georgie can fly, albeit not well. She takes off like a helicopter and will stay up in the air, hovering, until someone puts their hand out for her to land on, or she’ll eventually land back to the floor. We’ve tried to teach her to fly to the sound of our clapping but she doesn’t seem too interested in flying forward.

When we are at home Georgie is let out of her cage and spends her time doing whatever she feels like doing, e.g. sitting on the sofa, walking about the flat (which she does surprisingly well), falling asleep in weird places, following us around the flat (she’s a quick runner!), making nests on our laps. She lays eggs every month or so. We cannot get her to stop really so we make sure she’s got enough calcium in her (she was egg-bound once which scared us, and her, pretty badly).

Georgie’s sight disability doesn’t seem to bother her too much (she doesn’t know any better really). She’s a wonderful girl with loads of affection and love in her, and we love her to bits, even when she has her moody days (I think I love her more then!).

Georgie, our semi-blind feral pigeon 4274628625_fa15ff5d4b
Georgie in all her glory! Smile[b]
Georgie, our semi-blind feral pigeon 4275392374_9496d356f0
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AZWhitefeather
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AZWhitefeather


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Georgie, our semi-blind feral pigeon Empty
PostSubject: Re: Georgie, our semi-blind feral pigeon   Georgie, our semi-blind feral pigeon Icon_minitimeThu Jan 14, 2010 5:32 pm

Thank you so much for sharing Georgie's story with us. I so enjoyed reading it. Georgie, our semi-blind feral pigeon Readin13
Such a beautiful pij she is. Star quality

Bless you and your husband for taking her under your wings and providing a wonderful home for her. Pigeon angel Pigeon angel
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rattyfied
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rattyfied


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Location : UK

Georgie, our semi-blind feral pigeon Empty
PostSubject: Re: Georgie, our semi-blind feral pigeon   Georgie, our semi-blind feral pigeon Icon_minitimeThu Jan 14, 2010 5:54 pm

she's wonderful

:Yes:
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Matilda
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Matilda


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Georgie, our semi-blind feral pigeon Empty
PostSubject: Re: Georgie, our semi-blind feral pigeon   Georgie, our semi-blind feral pigeon Icon_minitimeThu Jan 14, 2010 5:59 pm

It is a wonderful story and another great testiment that disabled Pigeons can have a happy life without dodging hawks, searching for food and avoiding mean humans. Georgie, our semi-blind feral pigeon 848164
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EgypSwiftLady
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EgypSwiftLady


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Georgie, our semi-blind feral pigeon Empty
PostSubject: Re: Georgie, our semi-blind feral pigeon   Georgie, our semi-blind feral pigeon Icon_minitimeThu Jan 14, 2010 6:46 pm

Georgie is a love I love it/them I'm so happy that she won over everyone at the centre and found her way to both of you.

Thank you so much for sharing her story. :Yes:
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Jackie\'s Mom
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Jackie\'s Mom


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Georgie, our semi-blind feral pigeon Empty
PostSubject: Re: Georgie, our semi-blind feral pigeon   Georgie, our semi-blind feral pigeon Icon_minitimeThu Jan 14, 2010 6:49 pm

An absolutely heartwarming story. You and your husband are true Pigeon angel Pigeon angel for making her life possible. Georgie is certainly a little sweety. I so enjoyed readig her story.

Louise
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NiteOwl
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NiteOwl


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Georgie, our semi-blind feral pigeon Empty
PostSubject: Re: Georgie, our semi-blind feral pigeon   Georgie, our semi-blind feral pigeon Icon_minitimeThu Jan 14, 2010 7:08 pm

What a pretty bird she is! I think all pigeons are special, but sometimes the handicapped ones, are even more special. It's just amazing how they deal with them. She's a lucky little girl to have found you guys. I wish there was a human angel out there for every little bird in need. That was a wonderful story. Thanks for sharing it.
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Teresa
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Teresa


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Georgie, our semi-blind feral pigeon Empty
PostSubject: Re: Georgie, our semi-blind feral pigeon   Georgie, our semi-blind feral pigeon Icon_minitimeThu Jan 14, 2010 9:29 pm

Georgie is a little beauty, and it's really heartwarming to read her story.
It was really funny the hearty wingslap she gave AviatorRodent when he played a trick on her! That's too funny Go girl, top marks for personality!
I agree with NiteOwl that the special needs pigeons always become extra special to us: the care and mutual trust create a unique bond. They become a joy and a blessing.

About the possible causes for her blindess at such an early age, you may want to take a look at this thread by Plamen and compare notes: https://pij-n-angels.forumotion.net/pigeon-and-dove-illness-and-injury-discussion-forum-f21/blind-baby-pigeon-with-salmonella-t785.htm
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Mrs.AviatorRodent
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Mrs.AviatorRodent


Posts : 357
Join date : 2010-01-13
Age : 41
Location : Kent, UK

Georgie, our semi-blind feral pigeon Empty
PostSubject: Re: Georgie, our semi-blind feral pigeon   Georgie, our semi-blind feral pigeon Icon_minitimeFri Jan 15, 2010 12:47 pm

Thank you everyone.
I've been reading everyone elses posts about their disabled pigeons and I can see that there is a lot of love for them all. Wonderful to read!

Teresa wrote:
It was really funny the hearty wingslap she gave AviatorRodent when he played a trick on her! That's too funny Go girl, top marks for personality!

It was hilarious! That was the first time he did it and it gave her a bit of a shock so she fought back. Happy After that Georgie did her angry dance, twirling around and cooing, telling him off.
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Georgie, our semi-blind feral pigeon Empty
PostSubject: Re: Georgie, our semi-blind feral pigeon   Georgie, our semi-blind feral pigeon Icon_minitime

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