Pigeons keeping in earthen pots

At one time, pigeons used to sit in a pot on the cornice of an earthen house and hear the call of Bakbakum. With the touch of modernity in the evolution of time, that call is not heard very much now. However, a different picture has been seen in Nachole of Chapainawabganj.

It is learned that some fancy people in some villages of Nachol are still keeping pigeons in the hope of their hobbies and extra income. The earthen pot still survives for their welfare. A clay pot hangs on the cornice of a two-storey house in the area. Cows are keeping below, pigeons above.

Azim Ali of Hatbakal village in Nachol upazila said, ’15-20 years ago my mother brought a pair of pigeon by Tk 15. We have had pigeons in our house ever since. Now about 100 pairs of pigeons. I sell 25-30 pairs of babies every month. One pair sells for Tk 200-250 thousands. ‘

“Pigeons don’t need to be fed,” said Alamin. Goes to the field and collects food. So pigeons can be kept very easily. If observed in this way, the rice in the house gets dirty. I have pigeons of Gola, Govinda, Giribaj and Shiraz breeds in my house. ‘

Anarul Islam of Islampur in the upazila said, ‘I have about 70 pairs of pigeons in my house. The cost of the family goes away by selling the baby pigeons. I deposit my earnings. The pigeons eat mustard, kaun, akhri and khud in the field. However, many pigeons died due to pesticides and epidemics in the crop.

Hossain Ali of Tikil area said, ‘I bought pigeons for personal needs. But once I sold the baby and got a lot of money, I started raising pigeons. Now the family lives on the money from the sale of pigeons. Now there are about 150 earthen pots on the cornice of the second floor of the house. It has about 90 pairs of different breeds of pigeons.

Sunbd/NJ