Pigeon post.

If you look closely at the chicken run you will see a little grey pigeon that has found a place to sit.
I knew something was wrong with this chap because I could get very close without it taking fright and flying away. I left it for a few hours just in case it had stunned itself and needed to sort itself out again but with darkness falling at 6.00pm and 'our girls' wanting to go to bed but being too chicken (sorry, but there's a reason this term is used for scaredy cats) to go back up the ramp with this tiny bird on the roof I scooped it very gently up in a towel and popped him out of harm's way and into the greenhouse. This was a risk as he may have then taken flight and hit the glass but I felt I had little choice as Jack's cat was eyeing it up.
I know now that what I should have done is made it comfortable and safe and then sought assistance which is what I did when there was no improvement the next day. I just searched the Internet for a solution and found it in the way of a Fauna help charity. I rang the vet there who told me not to take it to a high street vet as they would just euthanise it (something I had expected her to say) and that if I could meet her in the vet's car park she would take it off my hands. To be honest with you I had grown very attached to the little chap but when I found him on the floor of the greenhouse and picked him up to check his damaged leg I was horrified to see that his entire breast skin on one side was missing and all I could see what the burgundy muscle underneath. He must have been in terrific pain and this is why I am so sorry that I didn't find the Fauna vet's details immediately, thinking it just needed to have a rest and gather it's strength.
Once the vet took  a look at it she assured me that as long as infection hadn't taken a hold he had a good chance of recovery. I know it's only a pigeon and can be considered by some to be vermin I still feel that every life has a chance or at least the right to a good death. This little chap was given oral painkillers and then some antibiotic cream, applied directly onto his affected breast. I have rung to find out how it is doing but am still waiting for a call back.
The vet said that they mate for life and she would like him released back where I found him in case he does have a mate. I hope I can report that it's a happy ending. Will keep you posted.