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14 – Purebred PIGEON
on the floor of the loft, often in a corner with other
wayward youngsters, or in one of the hideouts I’ve
made for them (wood boxes, low and open on two
sides) where they can escape from harassment by
philandering cock birds. Interestingly, over the next
week most of the youngsters manage to find their
way back to their home nest boxes each evening.
And, their parents continue to feed them while
they transition to complete independence. On the
day that I left my childhood home, my dad also
told me to call him if I ever needed anything.
My skills as a pigeon breeder will be tested
in the ensuing months as I monitor the youngsters’
health and address any issues that arise. This is
the period when the young birds are developing
their own defenses against a myriad of potential
illnesses and diseases. Armed with my Foy’s and
Jedds’ catalogues, I’m ready for anything.
The old, rustic milk-crate nesting boxes
disappeared a long time ago and have been
replaced with spacious, individual nesting cages.
Inside, the parent birds have returned to their
duties of incubating the next sets of eggs.
And, the fun goes on.•
Saxon Priests (blue spangle and blue white bar)
English Trumpeters (dun, almond baldhead, and dun baldhead)