Rats and Pigeons

[Fawkes]

I'm just wondering who feeds their birds *wild* rats and pigeons, and if its even safe to do so. My cat regularly brings me gifts of rat, usually only missing a bit of tail/foot, and I'm getting a hawk in the fall. Is it safe to feed these rats if they're inspected (and how does one do that) or should they simply be thrown out?

Also, I've heard pigeons often carry disease - is there any part of wild pigeons that is safe to feed, or is it possible to check these to ensure they're not contaminated before feeding?

[Joey]

you could feed it the breast just check down its throat before **** the rats off

[Puzo]

"Unshot" Pigeons are best put in the freezer for a few weeks to kill of any infections like asper, don' use the head /neck. Rats I wouldn't feed they may have been poisoned & anyway carry a multitude of diseases.

[Defender]

I'm just wondering who feeds their birds *wild* rats and pigeons, and if its even safe to do so. My cat regularly brings me gifts of rat, usually only missing a bit of tail/foot, and I'm getting a hawk in the fall. Is it safe to feed these rats if they're inspected (and how does one do that) or should they simply be thrown out?

Also, I've heard pigeons often carry disease - is there any part of wild pigeons that is safe to feed, or is it possible to check these to ensure they're not contaminated before feeding? hi mate rats and pigeons both carry diseases if i was you i would not feed wild rats and pigeons to my birds ok mate

[Sparrow Hawker]

Personally I don't think its wise to feed wild rats they could be carrying traces of poison, some of the poison used is slow acting, in case animals that shouldn't be eating consume it have time to be treated.

Rat might look perfectly healthy but that may not be the case.

HH

[HoumaFalconer]

I Personally Do Not Let My Bird Eat Anything Right Off The Kill, I Will Instead Take It Home And Inspect It. If It Is A Bird I Freeze It For At Least 2-3 Weeks Before I Will Let Her Eat It And Only The Breast, If Anything. Some Would Say I Am To Careful, But My Bird Is To Important To Me To Lose Because Of Something I Could Have Avoided.
Dennis

[Hells99]

Cat saliva carries all sorts of nasty bacteria, that's why cat fight wounds tend to get nasty infections.

I, personally, wouldn't want to feed a bird anything caught by a cat for that reason.

[AndyYounger]

Cat saliva carries all sorts of nasty bacteria, that's why cat fight wounds tend to get nasty infections.

I, personally, wouldn't want to feed a bird anything caught by a cat for that reason.

Hi Helen. i thaught you were going to say you wouldnt feed you bird cats.
i would imagine they would be a good source of protine. i'll take all you can supply. how many in a box?

on a sensible note. i would never feed any of my birds wild pigeon or rats, mice etc.

i do use squirell caucht in live traps on a nearby shooting estate. i always skin them and check them first.

[Sprout]

Be careful when handling wild rats - dead or alive, thay carry the bug that causes Weils disease in humans and is rapidly fatal - more than 1 falconer has been killed by handling rats their dog or hawk have killed!

[Hells99]

Hi Helen. i thaught you were going to say you wouldnt feed you bird cats.
i would imagine they would be a good source of protine. i'll take all you can supply. how many in a box?

PMSL! Had to read that a few times before I made sense of it! You are totally outrageous! :supz:

[Cobra]

Be careful when handling wild rats - dead or alive, thay carry the bug that causes Weils disease in humans and is rapidly fatal - more than 1 falconer has been killed by handling rats their dog or hawk have killed!

Weils disease is carried in the urine of SOME rats, if a rat urinates on you and you have an open wound, and should that particular rat be a carrier you will most certainly become very ill and possibly die!!
The virus also remains viable for some considerable time in damp conditions, ie river banks, sewers etc. IF a carrier urinates on the wet grass and you (or your dog) then come in contact with that particular spot ie eat the grass or place you hand with a cut on it then you are in trouble.
There is a risk but a minor one, fishermen sewer workers and pesties tend to be the most at risk.
Chris

[Cobra]

"Unshot" Pigeons are best put in the freezer for a few weeks to kill of any infections like asper, don' use the head /neck. Rats I wouldn't feed they may have been poisoned & anyway carry a multitude of diseases.

I think you meant Frounce, rather than Asper, Puzo,
Ferel pigeons carry in the region of 40 diseases ( a lot more than brown rats incidentally) that are harmful to man, and no doubt other species as well, here are a couple of the nasty ones
Psittacosis Salmonellosis tuberculosis ornithosis
True wild pigeons woodies that is, tend to be fairly "clean" its those b'stard ferels that are the culprit
Chris

[Puzo]

I think you meant Frounce, rather than Asper, Puzo,
Ferel pigeons carry in the region of 40 diseases ( a lot more than brown rats incidentally) that are harmful to man, and no doubt other species as well, here are a couple of the nasty ones
Psittacosis Salmonellosis tuberculosis ornithosis
True wild pigeons woodies that is, tend to be fairly "clean" its those b'stard ferels that are the culprit
Chris

I meant Trichomoniasis but can't spell it.?!

[Lurcer]

i would stay clear of all pigeon and wild rats and mice, pigeon carries a nasty disieze in its respiratory system which can kill your bird, and as for rats and mice who knows what its eaten....poison being the worst diet for your bird....

[Cyclone]

you mean trichomoniasis or 'frounce' as its called m8?
cyclone