Dovecote
Doves and pigeons have been domesticated for thousands of years. They have a natural tendency to stay near to their nests and once ideal conditions were created for them in dovecotes they readily adopted these man-made homes.
In medieval England only the clergy and lords of the manor had the right to build dovecotes. By the 17th century the laws on keeping had relaxed and any tenant was allowed to build a dovecote with his landlord`s permission. Dovecotes therefore became status symbols. The dovecote at Ford Green Hall was probably built in the early 18th century. A large number of similar plain square dovecotes were built from the 17th century onwards as brick became a popular material.
Doves as source of meat
Doves were a valuable source of fresh meat. The young birds (squabs) were eaten as a delicacy. They were culled at 4 weeks before their feathers had grown and flight muscles developed. Numerous recipes survive from throught history offering advice on the best way to cook dove meat. They could be stuffed and roasted on spits, stewed, or spatchcocked (flattened and grilled or fried). There are however very few references to eating the bird`s eggs.
Doves as a source of manure
Doves produce a particularly rich fertilizer that was often applied to fields. It was recommended for growing hops and barley. From 1561 dove manure was an important source of saltpetre used to make gunpowder. It was also used in the tanning industry to produce soft leather.
The Dovecote at Ford Green Hall
The Ford Green Hall dovecote is sited in a prominent position slightly apart from both the house and any other buildings that would have existed. It was common to site the dovcote away from the bustle of the farmyard. Often the kitchen garden was nearby so the dove manure could be used directly. At Ford Green the dovecote faces the main road and is clearly visible to passers-by suggesting that it was built as aconspicuous display of wealth and status.
The dovecote has features typically included to ensure the comfort of the occupants. The nine flight holes are located on the south facing side of the buliding and have perching ledges so the doves could sit both out of the wind and in the sun. Windows allowed light to enter and took advantage of the sun`s warmth. They were often situated in the wall facing the house so that the birds could be watched and admired and this is the arrangement at Ford Green.
Inside the dovecote 55 nest boxes are arranged around all four walls at first floor level, this is a practical measure to protect the birds from predators such as rats. A ladder would have provided access. Each nest box would have housed a pair of birds capable of producing 2 chicks eight to ten times a year.
The ground floor may have been used for storage however some dovecotes housed poultry in this area.
