My buddy's are getting me in trouble!

Hello Pigeon lovers, I'm new here and I got a few stories to share, my real name is Grant, 57yr old apartment deweller.

It started with two, then three, (one of Ma's first born didn't make it) then five, then seven pigeons coming to eat on my balcony. Then the note from the manager, 'we have been informed that you have been feeding the pigeons, this action must stop'.

Needless to say Freeda would starve, she's been eating here since day one. The first day was devil, but over the mo's Freeda has been coming in to eat, so good news for her, I snuck some out to Ma and Pa later, I couldn't take it, Ma was bugging me big time, the rest of the bunch went without.

None of these pigeons were born on my balcony, someone is letting them nest, they only come here to feed.

So I'm reading and they make custom made bird feeders for balcony's, this practice is not illegal, The young ones are hungary, what to do?

Welcome to Pigeon Angels, Grant.
Many thanks for doing what you can for these guys.

I can totally understand your dilemma.

Word does get out quite quickly when a good meal is nearby. Sadly, there are situations where we are unable to feed everyone.
And it's heartbreaking knowing there are so many pigeons needing a good meal, but again a situation deters us from feeding them.

Does Freeda, and her folks, come by before the others?

I have had to cut back big time feeding the ferals. However, there are some who have been here for years and a couple youngsters that come by from time to time with their folks that I just have to feed.

My only option is to wait until there are just a few (those that know they are going to get fed stick around).
I must say, the others are quite plump and very healthy looking (haven't had a sick pigeon here in ages ) so I'm quite confident that they are getting fed well, elsewhere, which helps with the guilt feelings I have.

Please keep us posted on how things are coming along.

Thanks for caring, Cindy,

Funny you should ask,

Does Freeda, and her folks, come by before the others?

At first Freeda would come with either Ma 'or' Pa, but never together, later when Ma was sitting on new eggs, Pa totally disappeared for a mo or longer, Freeda was on her own, I still don't know where she hangs or sleeps, but she comes by herself.

I've put a box under a lawn chair trying to get Freeda to stay but Ma and Pa moved in. That's ok too because now I can watch for eggs. The people that are letting them nest are just going to bring the traps back out. An apartment like this a few around seems ok, there's getting to be too many.

Hi Grant, and welcome!

Thank you for sharing the story of Ma, Pa and Freeda with us. Pigeons are great characters, so individual, and of course we want to help them all, especially the regulars and the young ones.
But as you said, too many pigeons will attract unwelcome attention, and sometimes we just have to limit the number we help rather than risk somebody taking some dreadful action against them. It's very wise of you to have considered all that, and to have decided to replace their eggs to limit their numbers.

All the best to you and your feathered friends!

Thanks, great site you got here.

Problem solved, for now

Since I put the box out Ma and Pa took over the balcony. Freeda's got it figured, she flys right to the sill and in. Pa is right on her ass. When done she's gone again. I took a walk around today and I think I know where she hangs. One floor lower around the building doesn't look like anyone lives there but there's a living room chair all banged up. The other pigeons were all there. Don't know what's up with that.

So Freeda gets fead, and when she comes Ma and Pa get theirs from a secret slot in my other window. Hard to believe but Ma and Pa are chasing their next born away from the food.
So they keep the unwanted away for me, cool hey?

The people above me have bikes on their balcony, so I'm pretty sure their the pigeon haters (rats) I'll be looking for revenge, politely.

That's really cool! I love the way they've got themselves all sorted out. Clever pigeons!

It's very likely the pigeons are nesting and spending most of their time in that flat that seems empty. I hope the pigeon haters don't go and chase them out of there. And if they are the ones with the bikes on their balcony, then I hope their bikes rust!

farmerjoecoledge wrote:

* Thanks, great site you got here.

** Problem solved, for now

Since I put the box out Ma and Pa took over the balcony. Freeda's got it figured, she flys right to the sill and in. Pa is right on her ass. When done she's gone again. I took a walk around today and I think I know where she hangs. One floor lower around the building doesn't look like anyone lives there but there's a living room chair all banged up. The other pigeons were all there. Don't know what's up with that.

So Freeda gets fead, and when she comes Ma and Pa get theirs from a secret slot in my other window. Hard to believe but Ma and Pa are chasing their next born away from the food. So they keep the unwanted away for me, cool hey?

The people above me have bikes on their balcony, so I'm pretty sure their the pigeon haters (rats)
*** I'll be looking for revenge, politely.

* Thank you, Grant.

** I'm glad things are working for everyone's benefit.
And it's wonderful that Ma and Pa are helping you without even realizing it.

***

Teresa wrote:

That's really cool! I love the way they've got themselves all sorted out. Clever pigeons!

It's very likely the pigeons are nesting and spending most of their time in that flat that seems empty.
I hope the pigeon haters don't go and chase them out of there.
And if they are the ones with the bikes on their balcony, then I hope their bikes rust!

Now that i have your attension

Today I see an egg. Ma's haveing her thrid batch, this year. Ma and Pa were here first, I had a box out then too until they started bringing in some sticks, then I brought it in. They went and found another nesting spot, They come to feed on different days, a couple of mo's later they bring Freeda over, I thought it strange but they never all came together, after that, I'm rambeling,

The last time I took eggs I took the nest too. Shortly after I moved here in 2007 they brought traps out, someone let a big family grow and then befriended them, 12 or more homless pigeons, so I didn't want them either with all the heat going on. I saved two from the traps anyway.

So, I don't mind Ma and Pa being around so do I just take them and not touch the nest (I'll wait for two) or put some fake ones in? What would you do? What's the least stress for the birds.

Good Morning, Grant.

My suggestion would be to relpace the eggs.
1) If you remove them without replacing them with artificial eggs, Ma will most likely just lay again too soon, which is very stressful for her.
2) If she is sitting on eggs in a nest on your balcony, there is a good chance she (and Pa) will not allow others to come near the nest (especially if the food and water are placed next to the nest), thereby eliminating a gathering place for the others.

If all else fails and you are unable to find any replacement eggs, you can hard boil the eggs as soon as Ma lays them. After they are cooled, just place them back under her.
There have been many discussions about this 'controversial' method, but it does work in a pinch.

I have no idea how long it would take for mailing, but I'd be happy to send you a couple wooden eggs for future use.

Good afernoon,

I still have the two eggs from 2007, they dried right out, no odor that i can detect, they're also super lite, do you think she would notice?

Cindy, you made it sound like i could do this while she's in the nest, no?

What's the cost for your wooden ones? I could email you my address.

Also, Should i worry about the scents?

farmerjoecoledge wrote:

Good afernoon,

I still have the two eggs from 2007, they dried right out, no odor that i can detect, they're also super lite, do you think she would notice?

I'm not sure if she would notice as each pigeon is different when it comes to rejecting eggs.
My concern would be that the eggs are so light that she may crush them.
But it's worth a try.

Quote :

Cindy, you made it sound like i could do this while she's in the nest, no?

I do. When I replace eggs from my gals I just reach under them, take the eggs and at the same time replace with the wooden eggs.
I get a few grunts and nips ( ), but otherwise they don't seem to be all that concerned.

Quote :

What's the cost for your wooden ones? I could email you my address.

Also, Should i worry about the scents?

There would be no cost for me to send you a couple eggs.
My email address is: azwhitefeather@aol.com

If you are talking about Ma being bothered by your scent on the eggs, that shouldn't be a problem.
At least it never has been with my birds.

That's great advice you got there from Cindy, Grant! If you follow that you'll have two happy pigeons keeping other pigeons away from your balcony.

And by replacing the eggs, there will be no new babies and Ma and Pa will be more settled on the nest -- too much flying to and fro will attract the attention of the pigeon haters.

And Cindy, thank you for your offer of wooden eggs for Ma and Pa!

All's nerveouse right now.

Just got a suite inspection slip, on a Saturday, for Sunday 10:00-2:00, a little odd to say the least. Gives me the impression it's important.

So you know I've got myself involved in something that shouldn't have. I'm trying to keep things descrete but the 5 of them are bumping shoulders all the time. Ma is still sitting on the eggs, and have decided to leave it/her there. If the inspection includes the balcony she's definately going to have something to say. More than likely to take it down. That's going to piss Ma and Pa right off. I'm hoping it doesn't come to that.

Anyway, wish me luck and I'll let you know if I'm moving or not.

Oh my goodness, I wish I could do something to help!

Is this inspection to look for pigeons and pigeon nests or is it for another reason? Any chance the nest could be moved a bit to one end of the balcony and something placed in front of it to disguise it? If they find it, you'd better pretend you didn't know the pigeons started nesting there, otherwise you may get into trouble, as well as them losing their nest.

Wishing you luck for tomorrow!

Oh dear!! Inspections of little notice are always a concern, even if there isn't anything to be concerned about.

I agree with Teresa, if you can move Ma's nest out of sight that would be great.
Chances are if they hear unfamiliar voices or see someone new (hopefully before the new person sees them) they will most likely fly off and not return until they feel it's safe.

Keeping my fingers crossed that all goes well.
Please keep us posted.

I feel like charging them for a missed appointment.

The nerve of some people, as if I don't have anything better to do than get in a fit.

So she's a no show and Freeda is here early so back to normal until the next time.

I figured if she saw the nest, I'd come clean and tell them of the eggs etc, and then cross my fingers.

That must have been very inconvenient to you, but I'm glad nobody showed up.
I would hesitate about coming clean, as I fear the reaction would be, 'Get those pigeons and box out of here, and if you do it again, there'll be consequences.' Unfortunately, it's what usually happens.

Con't on this thread...http://www.pigeonangels.com/t2930-a-pigeon-hater

That link didn't work, Grant.
Maybe because there isn't a space between the period and the beginning of the link.

Let's see if this works. http://www.pigeonangels.com/t2930-a-pigeon-hater

Alrighty!! We'll start posting in the new thread.