Staff photo by Fritz Busch Emily Pikel of Winthrop holds one of her chickens at the New Ulm Bird and Small Animal Swap and Sell Day, sponsored by the Brown County Poultry and Pigeon Association at the Brown County Fairgrounds Saturday.

NEW ULM — Not even a pandemic can stop Minnesota’s oldest pigeon and poultry club, the Brown County Pigeon & Poultry Association (BCPPA).

The group that has promoted friendship and sportsmanship for more than a century, held a bird and small animal swap and show day at the Brown County Fairgrounds Saturday.

The event drew a number of people passionate about pigeons and chickens.

As of Sunday, the pigeon and poultry group listed 998 members on its Facebook site.

Attendees included Emily and Marilyn Pickel of Winthrop.

“I like the poultry community and friendly competition. The people are very friendly,” Marilyn Pickel said.

For Harold Scott of North Mankato, it’s the cooing of his ring-necked doves in the morning and at night.

“I love the sound they make,” Scott said.

Also known as the Cape turtle doves or half-collared doves, the birds’ penetrating, rhythmic, three-syllabled crooning has been called a familiar sound any time of the year. Some people find the noise soothing. The birds are considered social, enjoying the company of their owner.

Some bird fanciers travel far and wide to shows.

Larry Wilmes of Mankato has 30 breeds of pigeons.

“I like going to New Ulm shows,” Wilmes said.

He’s been to national shows with thousands of birds in Texas, Southern California, Wisconsin, Illinois, and Ohio.

“I met (former heavyweight professional boxing champion) Mike Tyson at a national pigeon show in Ontario, Ca.,” said Wilmes. “He raises pigeons. I’ve got a photo of Tyson and myself.”

Reportedly bullied as a youth, Tyson said he found comfort with pigeons.

Don Roscoe of Kasota has traveled to pigeon shows as far away as Germany and Holland.

Nancy Kimmer of Monticello said she considers pigeons as therapy because they make her happy.

Future BCPPA swap dates are July 3 and August 7 at the Brown County Fairgrounds.

Association rules include being kind and courteous, no hate speech, bullying, promotions or spam, and respecting everyone’s privacy.

According to the Urban Wildlife Society, pigeons:

• Provide good company to senior citizens and children.

• Are loyal, affectionate, and make great friends.

• Eat food we dispose of as litter.

• Primarily eat seeds. Weed seeds are some of their favorites.

• Mate for life and care for their mate and their young, sharing feeding areas, and living peacefully with each other.

• Nearly all religions revere pigeons as holy birds.

• Have delivered lifesaving medications and provide valuable messenger service in remote areas.

Some outstanding chicken features include:

• Eating table scraps and bugs including ticks, slugs, termites, ants, pill pugs and weeds.

• Their manure can be used as compost and fertilizer.

• Can recognize human faces.

• Eggs are high in cholesterol and low in saturated fat.

Rabbit features include:

• Helping compost waste and generating valuable manure fertilizer for vegetable gardens.

• As domesticated pets, will understand and mirror human emotions.

• May even dance to classical music.

(Fritz Busch can be emailed at fbusch@nujournal.com).