Turning pigeon poo into food

I recently visited a cistercian monastery in France, now converted to a hotel, but which still has its ancient pigeonnier, or dovecote (pictured).

Built over a shallow channel taken from the nearby stream, this allowed innumerable birds to roost, providing eggs for the monks, and ensured that their droppings were not wasted.

Down below, the guano-enriched water encouraged substantial numbers of crayfish, in turn providing the monastery with useful protein.

Yet again, I'm impressed by how well our predecessors organised things to avoid waste.

I wonder whether similar buildings could be established in, say, Trafalgar Square, turning London pigeons from a problem into something like a solution. I'm glad to see, at any rate, that urban dovecots do exist - as this one, in Glasgow, makes clear.

Comments

[Frank Upton]

At my school, they used to turn food into pigeon poo for our lunch.

[ian cheese]

Never mind about the pooh. I turn pigeons into casseroles, period. Please apply for a recipe.

[Stephen]

Nothing brings greenism into disrepute and indeed ridicule more than fetishising the desparate expedients of poverty, which the poor above all seek to escape.

[Caitlyn]

OMG

[george du maurier]

Sh*t blog.

[pbexpat]

Is this really so commendable?
Thoughtless pollution of the water for those unfortunate enough to have lived downstream from the monastery. Sounds like a thousand modern-day mineral exploitation examples.
Still, I'm sure the monks were well-fed, also just like the present day. What proportion of the clergy - from the pope down - are less than obese?

[peter c]

our ancestors knew a lot that we have yet to learn- sadly the idea of "progress" destroyed ancient and traditional knowledge- bu there is a price for everything and we will surely pay it or our children and their children will

[K John]

How about composting the poo with bokashi to turn it into fertiliser?

[Brien Comerford]

I'm a fat but devout vegetarian who must eschew pigeon poo and crayfish.

[Denver]

Yes! Great idea - we can have crayfish in the fountain in Trafalgar Square