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When is pigeon time?

 
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Annemieke



Joined: 26 Feb 2013
Posts: 131
Location: Somerset UK
PostPosted: Fri Feb 20, 15 6:05 am    Post subject: When is pigeon time? Reply with quote
    

I suppose pigeons are being shot all year round, but when is the butcher most likely to have them for sale?
I have some recipes I want to publish in my monthly food/health blog (pigeon meat = better for you and for the cows/chickens etc!) and wonder when is the best month to put it in.
Love, thanks! Annemieke

 
sean
Downsizer Moderator


Joined: 28 Oct 2004
Posts: 42219
Location: North Devon
PostPosted: Fri Feb 20, 15 8:05 am    Post subject: Reply with quote
    

I think you're more likely to see them for sale in the autumn. They can be shot all year round though.

 
Tavascarow



Joined: 06 Aug 2006
Posts: 8407
Location: South Cornwall
PostPosted: Fri Feb 20, 15 9:01 am    Post subject: Reply with quote
    

You see more for sale post harvest when the guns can decoy them over the stubble.
A lot of estates shoot pigeon Feb March to cut their numbers before pheasant breeding time but I wouldn't eat a pigeon shot now.
The vast majority of their diet now is ivy berries & the taste gets into the meat.
Corn fed in the summer or brassica/pea fed in the spring are best IMHO.

 
Annemieke



Joined: 26 Feb 2013
Posts: 131
Location: Somerset UK
PostPosted: Fri Feb 20, 15 9:03 am    Post subject: Reply with quote
    

Thanks! I shall save my recipe for an autumn issue then. Love A.

 
NorthernMonkeyGirl



Joined: 10 Apr 2011
Posts: 4630
Location: Peeping over your shoulder
PostPosted: Fri Feb 20, 15 9:06 am    Post subject: Reply with quote
    

I had some delicious pigeon last week, the crops were full of something green/leafy - looked like brassica but it's still too early I think? What crops are just sprouting now?

 
Treacodactyl
Downsizer Moderator


Joined: 28 Oct 2004
Posts: 25795
Location: Jumping on the bandwagon of opportunism
PostPosted: Fri Feb 20, 15 9:13 am    Post subject: Reply with quote
    

Kale probably. Pigeons are also shot in spring, before nesting, as they'll attack young kale and spring sown crop seeds.

I'd agree with the others though, I'd rather eat them in late summer/autumn when they've fed on the harvest.

 
Tavascarow



Joined: 06 Aug 2006
Posts: 8407
Location: South Cornwall
PostPosted: Fri Feb 20, 15 1:26 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote
    

NorthernMonkeyGirl wrote:
I had some delicious pigeon last week, the crops were full of something green/leafy - looked like brassica but it's still too early I think? What crops are just sprouting now?

Autumn sown rape?

 
Mistress Rose



Joined: 21 Jul 2011
Posts: 15984

PostPosted: Sat Feb 21, 15 9:28 am    Post subject: Reply with quote
    

They are a severe pest on winter sown rape round here.

 
chez



Joined: 13 Aug 2006
Posts: 35935
Location: The Hive of the Uberbee, Quantock Hills, Somerset
PostPosted: Sat Feb 21, 15 9:59 am    Post subject: Reply with quote
    

They're appreciating the last of my over-wintered cabbages.

 
dpack



Joined: 02 Jul 2005
Posts: 46235
Location: yes
PostPosted: Sat Feb 21, 15 10:25 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote
    

the local suburban woodies are eating new growth daisy and dandelion and other such greenery at the mo

(observation rather than autopsy )

edit for ps

they have "bird table food" all year round so a nice salad is probably rather popular

 
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