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The question

What is the ruling on taking a small, newly hatched pigeon found around the house and raising it or disposing of it, given the difficulty in identifying its owner?

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Source: FtawySummarized from the full answer at Ftawy · reviewed Sep 2, 20261 min readAlso available in العربية
The answer

"Eggs and small chicks found in a house unintentionally, and whose owners are difficult to reach, fall under the ruling of 'Luqata' (found property). If they are valuable enough for their owner to be known, then they can be utilized while ensuring they are guaranteed for their owner should he come to claim them. If their value is moderate, they should be announced for a day or two, then utilized and guaranteed for their owner. However, if they are trivial and their owner would not pursue them, then they belong to the finder, and there is no need to announce them or guarantee them. If the chicks and eggs are at risk of being lost, then picking them up is obligatory. It is permissible to utilize them while guaranteeing them, or to sell them and keep the money for their owners, or to give them as charity on their behalf. There is no harm in utilizing or disposing of them while guaranteeing them for their owners, should they come one day."

Summarized from the full answer at Ftawy · reviewed Sep 2, 2026

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