The smell of pigeons

[redge]

Hello

 

I am a new and enthusiastic member of the game (eating) society.

I have been recieving gifts of Rabbit and Pigeons from a local farmer.

 

The rabbits have been fine. The pigeons I recieved last time were lovely and tasted great.

 

However this time the pigeons were giving off an unpleasant smell. I assume that there will be some odours but these seemed a lot 'smellier' than previously.

Their stomachs also seemed to be bloated. The farmer I got them off had shot them the previous day and they had been left in a plastic carrier bag since they were shot until I recieved them in the evening the next day.

 

Do you think these pigeons would have been safe to eat?

 

Many Thanks

 

REDGE

[Stealth Stalker]

I doubt it would do you any harm, but its not a good idea to leave any bird you intend to eat in a plastic bag, ideally you need to let the birds cool down as soon as possible to keep them fresh, birds stuffed in to a plastic bag will keep their body temperature remarkably well. This time of year the flies will be all over them in seconds, I tend not worry to much about the birds getting fly blown as all the pigeon are crowned out the following day after being allowed to cool.

 

SS

[Zapp]

How would you describe the smell? It could be that the birds have gone off, but it could also be caused by a substance called "pigeon milk" which is produced when the birds have young. Pigeon milk absolutely stinks

 

ZB

[shoughton]

Storing in plastic bags is never a good idea - best to air in the cool. However that shouldn't make them unsafe to eat - just less good.

 

Pigeons often smell more when they have been feeding on leaf. Check their crops - I bet they're stuffed full of rape - that's what will be smelling.

 

Try to not let it put you off. Try breasting them and washing under a tap and then drying on a towell. If they smell unpleasant then, then I would discard them (dog or foxes). But I bet they're fine.

 

Steve

[hushpower]

just suggest to the landowner that puting freshly shot birds in plastic bags in hot weather is nay a good idea.pigeon need to be or any game birds hung up breasts outwards or on their backs in trays breasts up to cool has quickly as *** . when am decoying the surplus that arent used in the pattern are laid out gap betwween them on back in the shade into a breeze if posible to cool asap cos majority of times they are thrown in a pile in the back of the van.ultimatly presented to the game dealers in top nick may get you a few coppers more a bird