Agriculture Reference
In-Depth Information
17
The “Uncommon” Poultry
NOT EVERYONE WANTS TO RAISE POULTRY
for eggs or meat. There are a few out there
who simply enjoy the beauty of the various kinds of poultry. Swans, pigeons, ratites, and
perhaps the most beautiful poultry species — the peafowl — are often raised by folks
who do so mostly because they take pleasure in caring for them and have settled into
guardianship purely as a hobby. Others may raise them to bring a delicious meal to the
family table.
Each of the above species has their own appealing features, and each has a specific set
of raising requirements. There is no way to cover, in detail, all of these specifics; a topic
could be written about each of the groups. The information in this chapter is designed to
pique your curiosity and perhaps give you a simple start if for some reason you end up
with any of these birds because you are unable to control yourself at an animal sale.
Pigeons and Doves
Pigeons and doves are probably the most intelligent of all the poultry species. The degree
of care they provide for their young and their ability to find their way back home from
long distances are just two of the traits that places them a notch above others in the
poultry world.
Pigeons have long been used for many purposes. During World War I, Allied forces
used them extensively to send messages to troop commanders situated across enemy
lines. Credited with saving many lives, they provided much-needed information in an era
before cell phones and satellite communication.
For some reason, many people living in or visiting cities consider them to be dirty and
annoying. Some country folk also have a negative reaction to pigeons, largely because
of the messes they make hanging around grain bins and in machine sheds and barns, de-
positing large amounts of manure. Truth be told, these birds could be an excellent food
