Today's opening times: Gut Aiderbichl Henndorf: Rest day | Gut Aiderbichl Deggendorf: Rest day | Gut Aiderbichl Iffeldorf: Rest day

Our commitment to pigeons

Project: Our commitment to pigeons

Pigeons are an integral part of urban life, but are often seen as “problem animals”. Gut Aiderbichl is committed to helping these misunderstood birds by providing them with a safe animal sanctuary in Eslarn, among other places. Through species-appropriate husbandry and sustainable concepts, the pigeon population can be controlled in a humane way.

Our project at a glance

Our commitment to pigeons

Initial situation:

  • As “rats of the air”, urban pigeons have an unjustifiably bad image.
  • Conflicts between humans and animals occur time and again.
  • Many cities are struggling with an overpopulation of pigeons. Not all of them have yet adopted our sustainable concept.

 

Target:

  • Create species-appropriate accommodation for pigeons
  • .

  • Establish a model for sustainable management of the pigeon problem in cities
  • Through public relations work: sensitising the population.

Our work:

  • 2021: Opening of the first pigeon house at Gut Aiderbichl Eslarn. 1,000 animals find a home there
  • .

  • 2023: Opening of a second building three times the size. Here, 3,000 animals find a home.

Outlook:

  • 2024: Pigeons taken from the city of Limburg. The pigeons were originally intended to be killed
  • .

  • Containment of the pigeon problem through species-appropriate and sustainable handling of the animals.

Pigeons - an integral part of urban life

Pigeons are a common sight in many cities, but they have a dubious reputation. Many people find them annoying, dirty or even carriers of disease. In many cities, feeding pigeons or helping them to build nests is prohibited. But this was not always the case: for thousands of years, pigeons were seen as positive. They were valued as messengers of the air and brought news in emergency situations – faster than any horseman. However, with the introduction of modern means of communication, pigeons lost their role and became increasingly undesirable.

Today, many urban pigeons face major challenges. Their natural food source is scarce, forcing them to feed on human waste. No wonder many of the animals look neglected. They struggle to survive, but overpopulation, pollution from their droppings and damage to buildings repeatedly lead to conflicts between humans and animals.

Gut Aiderbichl Eslarn - A sanctuary for pigeons

Gut Aiderbichl starts where the need is greatest. Since 2001, the farm in Eslarn has been offering misunderstood pigeons a safe place to live.

It all began with a call from Dieter Ehrengruber, the Chairman of the Gut Aiderbichl Foundation, who asked the Meckl family if they could create space for 1,000 pigeons. The farm was constantly receiving calls for help regarding pigeons. Handling pigeons has a long tradition in the countryside, as father Meckl recalls: “Every child used to get pigeons and look after them.” His son was also active in the local pigeon breeding club for 20 years, so they both have valuable basic knowledge of how to handle the animals.

The construction activities always centred on the question: “What does a pigeon need to be happy?” . The goal was achieved in 2021: a 350 square metre building now provides a species-appropriate home for over 1,000 pigeons. But that was not the end – in 2023, another pigeon house three times the size was built, offering space for around 3,000 pigeons. The two large buildings not only offer the pigeons a place to retreat, but also space to spread their wings. Even “pedestrian pigeons” that can no longer fly find a safe home here. Special bathing pools and feeding areas have been set up for them, which are accessible to all pigeons, with or without disabilities. “There is no comparable project anywhere in Europe,” emphasises the Meckl family.

The Augsburg model - sustainable solution

Gut Aiderbichl goes one step further, however, because pigeons are very reproductive and can breed up to seven times a year, which leads to rapid reproduction. Gut Aiderbichl therefore works according to the Augsburg model, a method that favours animal-friendly and sustainable solutions. This involves controlling their reproduction by replacing the eggs with plaster dummies in order to regulate the population in a humane way. “We also recommend this model to all cities that are struggling with the pigeon problem,” says Dieter Ehrengruber, Managing Director and Chairman of the Foundation. If the model is implemented in cities, the animals are caught in a species-appropriate manner, given medical care and housed and fed in specially created pigeon lofts. The eggs can then also be exchanged there. Of course, the pigeon lofts must be regularly cleaned and disinfected. The pigeon droppings collected in the lofts also relieve the urban area and can be disposed of properly.

News: Help in Limburg

When it became known in 2024 that pigeons were to be captured, anaesthetised and killed in Limburg, Gut Aiderbichl reacted immediately. “Killing the pigeons is out of the question for us,” said Dieter Ehrengruber. The farm offered the town to take in 200 pigeons in Eslarn, even though this would have exhausted its capacity.

Gut Aiderbichl presented the town with a concept for a sustainable solution, which was developed together with experts and the “Limburg City Pigeon Project”. The concept envisages the construction of species-appropriate pigeon lofts to house the animals. The 200 pigeons are also to remain there until they can be transported to Eslarn.

As things stand (autumn 2024), this solution has been rejected in Limburg. “Although we are very disappointed about this, we are honouring our word and taking in 200 pigeons from Limburg – because killing is never a solution. We know that this will not solve the problem, but it is a start,” emphasises Ehrengruber. “We will not tire of continuing to raise awareness and show that animal welfare and urban planning are compatible!”

Pfoten Icon weiß

Pate werden für alle Pigeons

Jetzt Pate werden

Gut Aiderbichl Locations

We look forward to your visit!

Icon Henndorf near Salzburg

Henndorf near Salzburg

Learn more
Icon Iffeldorf near Munich

Iffeldorf near Munich

Learn more
Icon Deggendorf near Passau

Deggendorf near Passau

Learn more

Get active now - together for animal welfare!

Here is how you can support the animals and the mission of Gut Aiderbichl

Save animals from emergency situations with your one-off donation and give them a second chance.

Donate now

Give our animals at Gut Aiderbichl a forever loving home with your regular donation.

Become patron

Take on a symbolic sponsorship and visit your favorite animal or group of animals regularly.

Become sponsor