Okay here is the latest update on Potato

I had a local guy come out yesterday to take a look at Potato. This man, his name is Tom, owns about 200 racing birds and is very knowledgeable about them, as well as caring Turns out I learned a lot about Potato, some not too good, but the brief points are here:

*the bird is in VERY poor condition (dehydrated and malnourished)

*the bird is very young and probably shouldnt have been racing in the first place

*he cant adopt her into his loft

*and Potato is a.....GIRL (hen)

Poor kid, I am happy that I can help her get back on her feet though! He taught me a lot about pigeons yesterday and also explained what I needed to do to get her back in shape to survive on her own.

Soooo what happens now you ask? Well, I am going to make a spot in one of our old barns where she can live kept for awhile. Once she is healthier I am going to open up one of the windows so she can come and go as she pleases as they do in the regular lofts. Potato can choose to live there and I will provide her with food and water as I do a lot of the wild birds on our property, or she can leave if she wants It is up to her! Tom told me she would probably see a flock in the spring and join them. That would be nice that way she could find a mate and live happily ever after

But for now she can live here on the Sweet farm and be the sweet Potato

Thanks to `switchbladeserenade for that little tater tot of funny

PS - the cartoon her name comes from is Foamy - there is an episode with reference in it, anyone know which one??

OHOH and check out $ewms contest!! [link] Doooo eeeet!! Go go go go!!




About a week ago I was on my way into town to run some errands and while taking the gravel road out of our area I had to swerve to miss a pigeon sitting in the middle of the road. I pulled over so I could go back and see what was wrong because all I could think of is if this bird keeps sitting there someone is just going to run it over! So I walked over and shooed it to the field beside the road. It looked like it was ok, wouldnt let me touch it or anything, so once I made sure it was out of harms way I got back in my car and left.

On my way home I had to stop again because the bird was back in the same place! I figured it must be cold and tired and was seeking some of the days leftover heat from the road. So this time I got out, walked up, got down on my knees and started talking to it. I could only imagine what someone would think if they came driving along to see some chick kneeling in the middle of the road talking to a pigeon

Well it seemed the bird wasnt too interested in getting away so I picked him up and while holding him with one hand, drove home. Once I got home I got the cage we used to train Luna when she was smaller and put the bird in there. Fixed him up a nesting place, gave him a perch, some water and food, and right away he started to eat and drink. I was a happy camper to see that I named him Potato and if you can figure out what cartoon that is from you get points for being cool

While watching I noticed it had 3 bands on its legs, 2 pink on one side, and a yellow on the other and thought to myself, well this bird must be doing something to have all that identification on it! So I went online, and using the initials and numbers on the bands, on this site [link] I found out the bird was a racing pigeon from northern Pennsylvania who belonged to man in a flying club in that area. So I used the information on the site to contact the club and left a message. The owner called me back and thanked me for taking care of his bird. The bird was released in a race from Connecticut and apparently there were some very strong head winds that must have caught up with the birds, and owners reported a lot of birds from the race have not returned.

The owner asked if the bird could rest another day and if I could release him so he could fly home. I said sure and then on Saturday morning we went outside and let Potato go and he flew first to our roof, sat for a second or two, and then flew off into the mountains. I called the owner and said well hes off and please let me know when he returns home

Well seems Potato decided he liked the easy life at our house and Monday morning there was a pigeon back on my roof! I went outside and shook the food can at him and he flew down to me. I brought him back inside and put him in his cage and he seemed pretty happy. I called the owner and was like uhhh I think your bird likes me as he came back this morning. The owner said well okay, seems he does indeed like it there, and if you want you can keep him. LOL! I was like ooookay! I dont really know what to do with a racing pigeon but if this guy didnt care enough to come get his bird I didnt want Potato to go back to him anyway!

So now I have a racing pigeon I call Potato who is im told a money bird who comes from good breeding. I am really not wanting to get in to the pigeon racing business but also dont want Potato to live alone in a cage. So I have started calling local racing lofts in the area to see if I can find a home for Potato

Wish me and Potato luck in finding him a home with some cute girl pigeons!


lisa

Don't litter! Spay and neuter your pets!