feral pigeons

[Edgar 1]

Hi all, I shoot a fair number of feral pigeons, sometimes bags into double figures. I have always kept the breast meat for eating and feed the rest too the ferrets. Feral pigeons are never quite as nice as woodies in my opinion but they are still delicious in pigeon pie. But I've read that they are dangerous to eat, I even read an article in airgunner that said you shouldn't touch shot ones and use a litter picker to move them! Me and my family are still ok despite eating them for years, does everybody else eat them? Im not going to stop eating them either way. The breast meat is too good to feed to the ferrets. So what does everybody else think? are feral pigeon good eating?

[zini 1,939]

Hi mate,

 

I dont eat feral pigeons mate and i never will as it just doesnt appeal to me at all.

 

I havent read anything bad about eating them though.

 

I have read in many articles that they carry more disease than a rat though.

 

Wether that is within their bodies in their flesh and blood or in their feathers im not really sure, i think more within their pooh.

 

Here is a extract from a pest control site that states that they are bad if they get near your food, it doesnt state that you cant eat them.

 

Disease transmission

 

Pigeons carry a number of potentially infectious diseases such as Salmonellosis, Tuberculosis and Ornithosis Chiamdiosis, a virus similar to influenza, and Psittacosis, similar to pneumonia, Contamination of food by pigeon droppings or by the birds themselves can transmit these diseases to humans.

 

Si

[stealthy1 3,964]

Dont eat ferals, to many parasites in and on them, they're not like wood pigeons, also I think the ex race pigeons are treated to some sort of vaccine in their food to stop desease in coops, if anyone knows if the vaccine thing is true, let me know

[farmerkev09 105]

i shoot over a hundred a year at my work some times i fill black bags full never once has it crossed my mind to eat one i dish them out to my friends for ferret food

 

the black bag has over 20 birds in it in and the 2 years i have been working there i have accounted for over 200 birds

 

farmer

[aaronpigeonplucker 32]

John Darling says its OK to eat country ferals which have had a good diet of grain but dose not reccommend eating pigeons which have been shot near cities. i think i might eat one if it was from a grain barn.

[redeye jedi 39]

never eat a ferral pigeon unless you want to piss your guts out ya arse. :sick: :sick: hugh fernlay-wittingstal refused to eat one for love nor money so that must say some thing.

[Euan 0]

depends where they live I reckon - I eat the ones i get from the byre on my permission - their crops only ever have grain in them. I wouldnt eat towny one though! eww!

[aaronpigeonplucker 32]

skip to 5:15 for the important bit. after that he breasts a feral. Edited April 15, 2010 by aaronpigeonplucker

[Edgar 1]

depends where they live I reckon - I eat the ones i get from the byre on my permission - their crops only ever have grain in them. I wouldnt eat towny one though! eww!

 

Same here, the ferals where I live are often feeding in fields and woods just as wood pigeon do, their crops reflect this. Good video.

[iamduvern 62]

Racers have to be vaccinated against paramyxo (compulsary) and pigeon pox (voluntary) I wouldn't recommend eating them

 

Its also against the law to shoot racers and any fancy breed that carries a UK asossiation ring

 

 

[Dakaras 3]

Never have never would just doesnt appeal :sick: Used to get 5 pence each from a game dealer in Lincs though think he shipped them to France

[Alexisrouzee 6]

well unlessi wanted a week off work and loose a few kilos in weight then i wouldnt!!! you think of all the crap they eat..... and alot of place's put poison out for the pigeons .... na thanks :sick: