Wild Pigeons In The Loft

Hi all,

I was just thinking about something. A fancier from South America
mentioned something on the PigeonGenetics mailing list about having some
wild pigeons in his loft because he likes the color of them.

I've always heard that having wild pigeons in with domesticated pigeons
is a very bad idea. Besides the fact that the wild pigeons will mate
with the domesticated birds and dilute the bloodlines, there's the more
important aspect of disease.

So I guess I'm wondering now--does anyone have any experience with this?
Am I being overly cautious without good reason?

--
Onorio Catenacci

Not at all!! Disease is the biggest issue we deal with. Wild(feral) pigeons
carry disease. They are not cared for in a healthy enviroment as our birds
are. I admit, I do look at them at the traffic lights and such when I see
them. But one should avoid contact with feral pigeons in his loft, hands
down! If one really wanted to raise some, then maybe one could catch some
and keep them *seperated* from the loft and quaratine them for atleast 4
weeks, 6 even better. Get them on a good feed program, treat them for the
various diseases that we treat our birds for and give them time to get
*healthy* so to speak. Personally, I wouldn't even go there. If I want
more birds, I'll breed some more from my loft. Just my thoughts. :)

Steve