5 Bad Food is Discovered

Peter and his Dad went to see Nigel at Malvern HQ. “Peter and Tubby,” said Nigel, “good to see you chaps; I’m afraid I’m a bit crook at the moment. Off my food, bit of a temperature and sleeping a lot, not too well at all really.” “We wondered why the Squadron had not been doing the daily fly past and so came over to see if there was a problem,” said Peter’s Dad. “Now we realise why the boys are not flying. Have a good sleep Nigel we will do what we can to get all of you boys better again.”

Peter and his Dad returned to Percy the Mynah bird who was now talking to Brighton the sea gull. “Yes the airmen do look in a bad way Percy,” said Peter’s Dad, “but you two boys seem healthy enough.” “Oh yes we are fine," said Brighton.

Peter looked around the loft and saw the boxes of food on the side. One was marked GM Maize and the other High-Energy Pigeon Pellets. “What does GM mean?" asked Peter.

His Dad frowned and inspected the labels on the boxes. “GM,” said Peter’s Dad, “means Genetically Modified, it’s an experimental unproven technology."

Most humans refuse to eat GM food so I do not see why us pigeons should be subjected to it. And as for these high-energy pellets, listen to this.  Peter’s Dad read the label on the box of pellets:

 CONTENTS:    Artificial Colourings
                         Food Additives
                         Protein of Animal Origin

“Pigeons are vegetarians,” said Peter’s Dad.” "We should not be eating other animals; these pellets may even be made from dead birds." “That’s probably why me and Percy have not become ill,” said Brighton. “We don’t eat that pigeon fodder rubbish. Percy lives in the house with the Commander and is spoilt rotten with fresh fruit, seeds, nuts and millet. I always fly off in the evening to see my mates and we find lots of tasty morsels like fish and chips, pizzas and curries which humans throw away.”

“Percy you must explain to Commander Drake that it’s the food that is causing the problem,” said Peter’s Dad, “and it needs to be destroyed. Brighton is there any organic farms near here?” inquired Peter’s Dad. “Yes,” replied Brighton, “there is one half a mile away.”

The local Organic Farm

“OK,” said Peter’s Dad, “we must collect as much natural organic fruit, vegetables and herbs as we can today before it gets dark and bring them back to the loft. The boys need to eat some proper food.”

Percy went off to explain to the Commander that it is the food that is making the airmen ill. The other three birds made numerous trips to and from the organic farm and collected as much food as they could before darkness fell.

“OK,” said Peter’s Dad to Brighton, “try to get the boys to eat the organic food we have collected. There is nothing more we can do here today so Peter and I will return home to Rosehill.  We shall be back tomorrow with more helpers.”

As they flew off  they noticed the Commander had lit a bonfire. He was burning the pellets and GM maize.

Commander Drake burns the suspect food

To be continued......

Photographic Acknowledgements

The above images were provided, with thanks, from the following organisations:

GM sign - alamy.com
Organic Farm - organic-center.org
Bonfire - Garden Picture Library