Are pidgeons vermin?

[SRobb]

Pidgeons have recently started nesting underneath the overhang of the roof of my flat but my flat is a roof conversion and they are extremely noisy, not to mention the mess they have made of the roof outside the kitchen window. What I want to know is what can I do about them? Are they classed as vermin, can I just put some kind of poison or repellent down (if such a thing exists), or do I need to take special action to have them removed?

[incitatus]

with the exception of the turtle dove, pidgeons are vermin, and can be shot or poisoned all year round. As they are quite delicious I would suggest shooting, followed by cooking in a port wine sauce.

[Greedyfly]

It is pigeons

[Greedyfly]

I wouldnt suggest eating them either they're dirty!

[woofgang]

If you choose to poison them, please ber very careful as animals that you did not wish to poisonmight a) take the poisoned bait or b) eat the carcases. You can get various repellant substances, your local council can help. There's not much eating on a city pigeon and I think that they tend to have parasites

[Ember]

Poor little rats with wings, have you noticed how many of them have deformed claws, whats that all about?

[manics_]

First of all, Vermin can be any animal that is destructive, annoying, or injurious to health. So yes, pigeons can be vermin. Secondly i would not suggest eating the pigeons that you find in the street, however you have killed them, as they have little meat on them and the meat thats there will be very stringy and tough. Thirdly, it is illegal to kill any kind of dive, and only ferral pigeons (street pigeons) can be killed to control population. And finally, to answer P.Greenwood's question. The pigeons deformed claws are usually caused when the bird gets their claw stuck, and they try and fly away intil the claw is pulled off. If this does not work, they will try to peck their claw off.

[incitatus]

sorry to contradict on the last bit manic but the deformed feet is a disease known to pigeon fanciers as bumblefoot. Its a streptococcal infection of the toes caused by poor nutrition, minor injury and the pigeon standing in its own feces. this gives it gangrene.

[SRobb]

Thanks everyone, I have absolutely no intention of eating them, I just want rid of the noisy, dirty things. I realised about a second after I typed my question that it was pigeon and not pidgeon, sorry about that. Thanks everyone.

[smudge]

I've noticed that some of the local shops have placed sharp pointed strips of wood, similar to carpet gripper above the doorways, to keep the pigeons away. Perhaps this might help.

[Greedyfly]

They are ugly, stupid, dirty rat b*****ds with horrible deformed feet - they are definatly VERMIN ; )

[TiredOctopus]

No, they are not vermin. They are just as clean as any other birds, the flying rats thing is pure nonsense. I suggest you put netting up there to prevent them nesting there.

[Cetti]

I wholeheartedly agree with the above post, and please before you do anything read this practical and good sense guide:

http://www.picas.org.uk/

[Azimov]

I believe that the word "Vermin" is a subjective description for any unwelcome animal in much the same way that a "Weed" is an unwanted and undesirable plant. Whenever the word is used the inference is that the animal in question is "destructive, annoying, or injurious to health" (def: Dictionary.com). Additionally, I object to the usage of the word "Rat" or "Rodent" as a synonym. Rats are fastidiously clean, intelligent, fascinating creatures and make wonderful pets.

[RATTER15]

You can kill pigeons but not with poisons!!! as they are edible by man!! and no such approved poison exsists for use in UK,and I would not reccomend eating them either. Netting is the preffered choice 2" netting is the size to use and must be pulled tight or they will become entangled, then u got the RSPCA on your back.

[HELPLOVELIVELIFE]

All birds are protected by law! and you will end up in jail when you are found trying to hurt them as the RSPCB will also fine you a hefty amount and have you put in their magazine and in the national newspaper as this will be seen as a act of cruelty against animals. Also you are no saint and have definitly done some real bad things in your life to yourself and others, of course you have but these birds are just nesting and using your roof as a house with a toilet and the only thing they may do is Sugar on the roof but the rain will clear that away. Make some real friends in your life for once by having a heart and feed the poor birdies with bird seeds. look for the beuty in them, maybe this is a chance for you to do some good in your life for once for others.