The Orangery Retirement Home For Pigeons

10/02/2024

Meet the residents: Whiz

Whiz came with a large group of others from a rehabber. If Whiz was a person, she would definitely have a form of ADHD! Everywhere I look, she’s there. She must do a solid 5k around the lofts each day. I find her in the wrong shed or in the wrong nest box on a daily basis, she’s often as bewildered as me as to why she’s there.
You’d never send Whiz to the shops, she’s hopeless at collecting twigs for her nest as she gets distracted and returns empty handed - much to the annoyance of her husband Meep.

🐦

31/01/2024

When the two discs in your back that are basically meringue also start to feel like meringue when you lift seed or bedding - it’s time for a trolley!

Demonstrated by the lovely Bailey who’s spent a few days inside due to conjunctivitis.

We thought he could be a love match for Matilda so she came inside too on a blind date however Matilda’s behaviour towards him was NOT at all ladylike and Bailey’s attempt to woo her was to roll around on the floor like a kicked baguette…

🐦

03/01/2024

This Christmas my office has been a temporary pigeon dating agency for the last remaining singletons. We have a small group of introverts, divorcees and widowers who need a little love nudge.

Usually we want them to choose their own mate but as everyone is painfully shy we’ve reached a bit of a dating stalemate. As Shakespeare said “Those who cooeth the loudest geteth the girl”

First picture is Cadbury who lost his wife Flake last year and his potential date Sigrid (previously George) who was found on a Ferry.

Second picture is Merlin whose wife Gwen left him last year for another man. His date is Big Brie who was in a rather abusive relationship with Pedro until he stole someone else’s wife.

Never a dull moment here!

14/11/2023

Calling all Pigeon artists 👩‍🎨 👨‍🎨 🐦

In this challenging economic time all sanctuaries are feeling the pinch.

Instead of donating money the The Orangery Retirement Home For Pigeons happily accepts pigeon artwork 🖼️

Designs would be used to expand our product range for our Etsy shop - https://orangerydesigns.etsy.com

So far our shop has raised enough to pay for 40kg of food which is amazing 💕

Currently all our pigeon art has been done by myself but I am no artist!

Artists would need to sign a disclaimer which signs over the art to us for commercial venture 📝

If you’re a whizz with a pencil or brush, crayon, computer or oil - drop us a message…or a drawing 🕊️

If you’re not so artsy, that’s ok. Please share our post to spread the word!

Thank you ☺️

Liz

14/11/2023

Calling all Pigeon artists 👩‍🎨 👨‍🎨 🐦

In this challenging economic time all sanctuaries are feeling the pinch.

Instead of donating money the The Orangery Retirement Home For Pigeons happily accepts pigeon artwork 🖼️

Designs would be used to expand our product range for our Etsy shop - https://orangerydesigns.etsy.com

So far our shop has raised enough to pay for 40kg of food which is amazing 💕

Currently all our pigeon art has been done by myself but I am no artist!

Artists would need to sign a disclaimer which signs over the art to us for commercial venture 📝

If you’re a whizz with a pencil or brush, crayon, computer or oil - drop us a message…or a drawing 🕊️

If you’re not so artsy, that’s ok. Please share our post to spread the word!

Thank you ☺️

Liz

Shop items by OrangeryDesigns.

12/10/2023

Meet the residents: Tabitha

Tabitha is our hoarder. She specifically hoards primary flight feathers! “Those are for her nest” I hear you cry.. initially I thought so too but she keeps her collection tucked down the sides of her nest bowl like sweet wrappers down the side of a mattress.

Where does she get them? This is where husband Raggedy Andrew comes into the story, he spent his bachelor days skulking in the shadows behind the sheds so he’s got black market feather connections.
An unusual couple, Tabitha is Andrew’s second wife. As she’s a pretty little thing I’m confident she’s only with Andrew because he owns a nest box and feather collecting skills but I guess choosing a man who gives you everything you want is no bad thing!

https://www.etsy.com/uk/shop/OrangeryDesigns

🐦

20/08/2023

Many of you who have visited will have met our old collie Pip and our crazy scruffy terrier Duff. We sadly lost Pip after 14 years which meant Duff lost his best friend and companion since he was a pup. After much searching we found Morris and Duff absolutely approves 💜

14/08/2023

When people keep wondering why the Hoover is always clogged…

https://www.etsy.com/uk/shop/OrangeryDesigns

pigeon 🐦

03/08/2023

It was my (and possibly some of the pigeons) Birthday today. Now that the Orangery has its own wrapping paper range, I’m fairly sure I can expect pigeon themed wrapping paper on every gift until I die 😂💜

https://www.etsy.com/uk/shop/OrangeryDesigns

🐦

24/07/2023

Pedro spends most of his days now being sat on by his giant wife 💜

https://www.etsy.com/uk/shop/OrangeryDesigns

🐦

16/07/2023

Launching our new Etsy Shop 💜

A selection of funny, silly and cute pigeon designs celebrating our love of everything Pigeon!

New products and designs will be added regularly.
Revenue to fund our residents expensive seed habit 😂

https://www.etsy.com/uk/shop/OrangeryDesigns

🐦

05/07/2023

Sadly at the start of this week we lost our older ex racer Flake after a long illness. Her partner Cadbury was understandably very upset and is definitely eating his feelings.

It’s not all gloomy news.. 2 days later I discovered a very surprising oops! In fact I’m completely mystified having checked both eggs were fake a few days prior to discovery!

Pigeons 🤷‍♀️

🐦

27/06/2023

Meet the residents: Minstrel and Dot

Minstrel (right) and Dot (left) came to us from other rescues. For Minstrel it was love at first sight! He spent days camped outside isolation gazing at her until she was released.

Minstrel is the coop curtain twitcher, into everyone’s business, first to spectate a fight or investigate a new object. He picked an apartment right in the middle so he never misses a thing!

Dot on the other hand is less concerned with coop affairs… she’s actually quite oblivious to everything!

🐦

16/06/2023

When your work hours have been cut so it’s economy pigeon corn for the foreseeable.
Almonds face says it all - this is not what I ordered for dinner! 🤢

🐦

29/05/2023

Meet the residents: Captain

Captain came to us via another rescue with a few others. He’s an older ex racer who was looking for a quieter life.

We all know someone like Captain! He’s the classic movie good guy who just knows how to pigeon. No fuss, no drama and certainly no trying to nest in ridiculous places!

Captain got the best apartment, and the most spectacular looking hen called Ghost. Come dinner time he doesn’t wait by the trough with the other chumps, he’s waiting by the food bin.

🐦

29/05/2023

Anyone looking for a worthy cause to donate some pennies to please take a moment to look at Kinder Bird Rescue. Not only do they face the costs of medical care and rehabilitation! These birds also have to be transported to their forever homes when better, often at the rescues expense!

21/05/2023

Orangery bachelors looking for love ❤️

Mosley: Mosley is an all round good guy, doesn’t cause a fuss, doesn’t start fights. He keeps a tidy home on the first floor due to his wing injury.

Vince (not pictured): Vince can fly but he has a bit of a dodgy leg…don’t let that put you off! He’s got a selection of dance moves and he takes personal grooming very seriously. Vince has his eye on a second floor apartment and just needs a special lady to help him make the move.

🐦

21/05/2023

Orangery bachelors looking for love ❤️
Left to right:

Smog: Smog was a mystery oops baby. Born and raised here, he can be a bit of a brat, he gets up late, doesn’t clean his room and sometimes crashes at his parents place. We think the right lady will be the making of him and he’s super handsome too!

Bouncer: Bounce is shed 2’s unofficial doorman. Make trouble and he will throw you out! When he’s not on shift he loves a sun nap on his balcony.

Notti: Notti is a one legged acrobat and having one leg certainly doesn’t slow him down. Notti doesn’t currently have an apartment but is king of the castle on the roof of shed 1.

🐦

21/05/2023

Orangery Bachelors looking for love ❤️
Left to right:

Norman: Norman’s very brave from far away, you’ll mostly find him shouting at the other bachelors through the mesh dividing door. Norman’s on the property ladder and owns a bungalow as he is non flying.

Pedro: Pedro’s like an assassin, he appears from nowhere and then he’s gone, he’s even picked the darkest corner box so he can lurk in the shadows. When he’s not in stealth mode, he’s actually a lovely chap! Pedro has a ground floor apartment as he is non flying.

Bailey: Bailey’s only got one eye but don’t let that put you off! He’s desperate for some female companionship and is currently trying to crowbar himself into other peoples marriages. Bailey would suit a small quiet hen as he’s a bit of a coward he also has a thing for blue checked ladies!

🐦

21/05/2023

Orangery Bachelors looking for love ❤️
Left to right:

Optimus: Optimus is a peaceful chap who’s still trying to get onto the property ladder. If you don’t mind squatting on the balcony of someone else’s nest box, he could be for you!

Crem: He’s a handsome chap and he knows it! Loves nothing more than a strut and twirl for all to see. He’s an apartment owner too!

Meep: Meep is a man of few words.. he just grunts actually. Don’t let that put you off, he’s a stealthy feather collector and a home owner.

🐦

03/05/2023

Apparently 18th century lime mortar walls are delicious!
😑

02/04/2023

Hens wanted! X3
After a busy summer of admits we are now starting to see our last few singletons pair up, currently we have room for 3 lucky ladies to join us.
Must be hens! I cannot stress this enough as there are no more boxes for boys!
Either have laid an egg or even better DNA tested - https://avigenics.co.uk
Parts missing or not working also fine 😂

🐦

13/03/2023

Meet the residents: Snowball & Champ

This pair came to us from another rescue, we also have 4 of their babies who came too.
When I think Snowball, I think “Fur coat, no knickers”. She looks fabulous.. she does absolutely nothing! She can fly, she doesn’t. She can run, she doesn’t. If Champ doesn’t put the nest twigs in the bowl she’ll deliberately drop anything she’s handed. She won’t go get food if it’s raining. She doesn’t get out of bed if it’s cold. Annoy her and she’ll just lie down and play dead while you manoeuvre round her feathered body.
Champ on the other hand is a well mannered functional chap who must have the patience of a saint 🙏🏻

🐦

27/02/2023

Thomasina sampling The Orangery free healthcare and prescription services 😂

With 90-something birds (a lady never reveals exactly how many pigeons she has..) it is inevitable a resident may be unwell at some point. This could be anything from trauma (pretty sure some of them are running a back alley boxing club) viral or bacterial disease.

I’m very fortunate to be able to combine my love of birds with my job as a Veterinary Surgeon and I hope Thomasina will be feeling better soon!

🐦

19/02/2023

Meet the residents: Atlas

Atlas came to us from another rescue after being found in a ditch. He is an ex racer which means we have a rough date of birth making him 14 years old this year!

At 14 this makes him one of the oldest residents we have. If he were a human, he’d be over a 100 years old!
Due to his age Atlas and the other oldies receive joint supplements and a diet high in essential fatty acids which are good for organ and joint health.

Atlas likes to take things steady, he gets up late for breakfast, likes a midday nap in the sunshine and is usually in bed before dusk. When he’s not relaxing in his bowl he can be found doing his aerobics on the shed door (this consists of many weird wing stretches and some cooing)

Atlas is married to Janis, a small one eyed feral.

🐦

04/02/2023

One minute you’re in your 20’s going out drinking at least twice a week..
The next you’re in your 30’s with 80+ pigeons and a favourite sweeping brush 🤣

🐦

08/01/2023

Meet the residents: Polly & Reginald

Polly & Reg came to us as youngsters from a Peterborough rescue, as they were identical age and found together it was suspected they were siblings. Too young to join the flock, we hand reared them in the house and naturally they were spoiled.

Polly & Reg are proof that blood may be thicker than water, but yolk is thickest and have decided to form a bonded pair despite having multiple options for partners of a similar age. We keep telling them that they’re babies will have two heads each and 13 toes on one foot but this has fallen on deaf ears.

…pigeons 😑🙄

🐦

03/01/2023

No one escapes visiting us without having some pigeon loves. 🐦

13/12/2022

Chilly here last few days, currently -5 🥶

29/11/2022

Why?
😍