2007-02-24 00:43:59 · 5 answers · asked by birdbuddiesofhouston 1 in Pets ➔ Birds
Yes, you can buy baby bird formula at a pet store. But especially if they are very young, they are better off with their parents.
You probably have to pry the bird's beak open the first few times until it gets the idea. You put the dropper WAY down the bird's throat directly into the crop. As they get older, you don't have to put it all the way down as they learn to swallow it themselves.
2007-02-24 05:31:06 · answer #1 · answered by The First Dragon 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Mother doves produce a nutrient and protein rich chop milk (contrary to its name it is not actually milk, if milk is given to a bird it will die in 48+ hrs.) It is vital that a baby gets this "milk" in order to maintain health as good feathering. Feeding baby doves by hand can be difficult you need a syringe that will bypass the throat and trachea and go into the crop. If it doesn't go to the crop you risk aspirating the baby. There really isn't a formula on the market that is made to replace crop milk. The closest and what pet stores will sell you is Kaytee Exact Hand Feeding Formula. This will work but it is designed for hook bills (Parrot family) not doves and pigeons. It can also cause sour crop in young doves due to the fact that they can have a hard time breaking it down. I recommend letting Mom care for them. What I do with my doves is handle them and play with them while mom is there, that way you are not confusing her and the babies will learn to trust you, and get used to being handled. Once they begin to eat on their own well and they don't need to be hand fed then you can spend more and more time training them.
You can e-mail me via my Answers profile if you have any questions. I will be more than happy to help --Good Luck :)
2007-02-24 09:55:24 · answer #2 · answered by JenE 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Yes you can, but it is best if you let the mother raise them herself. I had to raise a baby dove by myself so unless you only have the baby i recommend letting the mother do her job. If you just have the baby dove then you can do it. you can email me at rockn_cc90@yahoo.com if you have any questions concerning raising a baby dove by yourself.
2007-02-24 09:40:09 · answer #3 · answered by Shirley B 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Sure, but they'd be better off if you let their mother raise them. You can handle them (very gently) as they grow to get used to it.
2007-02-24 09:09:42 · answer #4 · answered by searchpup 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
yes but it is best to let mother do it as there food has to be chewed for them and then fed to them
2007-02-24 09:13:46 · answer #5 · answered by sarah_see_123 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋