Further update on the looking after my dad's pigeons

I'm very angry right now. Some family member came around to dad's and he gave away every young pigeon that he could get his hands on. He even took my box to put his plastic containers in to carry them all. He says afterwards that he gave away four pigeons. I know, because I counted the missing, that the number is atleast three times that.

I'm also hurt because that family member knows that my dad is demented and she nevertheless came to his house when I wasn't around to get herself another big box of pigeons to kill and eat. Moreover, every one of my young pigeons that I nurtered to health are gone. My lovely, courageous one that kept the rats away and got its wing broken too.

I'm crying right now. I had to stay a bit longer with dad because he took my distress a bit hard. Tried not to cry too much around him. He's not to blame. Not at all. Just my distant family member who cuts his hair had calculated everthing. She came at the end of June and now again. I feel like that I've been betrayed and cut down. I actually nurtured those pigeons. All gone.

I'm hoping for the best now. Looking through the remainder of the flock and seeing what can be kept aside for me personally. Still have a rat problem on top too. Does anyone know a good detergent against them? I came home and took my pills. Bursting out in big sobs still. I hope for a better future. Need to sort out the rat problem and keep the flock under my control. I'll end it here.

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Boeing · 36-40

I have no solution for the rats. But as of the relatives and people taking the pigeons away, vocalize! Please tell them straight to not take another one.

val70 · 56-60

@Boeing You're right but I'm going to put rings on those that I want to keep. Telling the family member that I'll take ownership of the pigeon flock from now on and after dad's demise.

Boeing · 36-40

@val70 yes. most probably are using his dementia as an excuse, to take the pigeons away.
I have a real question for you though. Consider it please, despite your difficult situation.

Are you truly willing to take care of those pigeons ? In the long run?

val70 · 56-60

@Boeing I'm third generation pigeon fancier. My grandfather was a champion racer. Big at the Barcelona flight each year. I'll see what the future brings. Dad's big house is mine afterwards anyhow, and the pigeon cots are still alright. The main thing is to keep the flock small enough and have a second person that wants to look after them when one is on holiday or such. My neighbour has already volunteered. His dad used to have pigeons too. He did them away after his death.

peterlee · M

You may have to buy four or five. Just be patient. Also rest mixed I stand cement May fill the holes.

val70 · 56-60

@peterlee I'll look into it. Dad thinks about poisioning them but it doesn't work well enough. The holes in the one pigeon cot are secure enough now. The really big one has thick wall, and I've removed already all pigeons from a third where they just went through everything that Dad put against the holes. It's dreadful. At first I didn't notice the losses. They eat everything. But since this summer I'm on the cots more often and I started to notice it. I even secured the feed. My poor dad just looks on. He's only half there at times.

peterlee · M

Amazon sells humane plastic rat traps.
Fill any gaps you find with wire wool.

Distant relatives that suddenly appear are only after one thing. Money. Beware of them. Worse than rats. Pity they can’t have humane cages too.

val70 · 56-60

@peterlee I'm already looking at those traps. They're so many of them though. One really big one almost jumped me till it saw how big I was. Used metal wire to plug the holes. It was dreadful to find chicks dead inside. Now I'm shatered that some family of mine has done this. She's even very religious. Though an Anglican priest told me already that she was a very silly woman. It should have warned me about her.

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