The bird has some adult feathers, but mostly soft baby 'down.' I've successfully raised baby sparrows and starlings with a cooked rice and mushed dog food gruel, would it work for a pigeon?
2007-05-29 16:19:30 · 9 answers · asked by Julie 1 in Pets ➔ Birds
You should buy "Exact" at your local petstore, and prepare it like it says on the package until it's the consistency of runny pudding. The easiest way to get it to eat is to poke a hole in the side of a paper dixie cup just big enough for the beak to fit through. Pour the formula into the cup up to the hole and place the bird's beak into the hole. When you tip the cup, it should start gulping down the food instantly. This is because in the mother's care, she would put her beak around the chick's beak and it would get food from reaching into her throat. Pigeon chicks do not gape when they want food like sparrows do. When it stops bobbing and begging, take it's beak out of the cup so that none of the food is inhaled, and then clean the baby bird to remove any formula that might have spilled on it. If it has no adult feathers yet, keep it in a box on a heating pad and either close the box lid a little or put a towel over the baby. It needs to stay between 80 and 90 degrees in the box for the baby to stay warm. You don't need to give it any water until it starts eating seeds on it's own, which is usually between 4 and 6 weeks old. Good luck!
2007-05-30 13:02:58 · answer #1 · answered by fuzzhead_smurf 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Fully agree with margecutter. But, if putting it back in its nest is out of the question, for some reason or other, you need to phone your nearest pet store ASAP. Ask for a rearing food for baby birds. In my area I get Ce'De' Hand Feeding Formula which I found to be 100% excellent. If they have it in stock head there as soon as possible. Don't delay (drive carefully lol). The formula must be mixed with luke-warm water. If the bird still has no feathers the mixture has to be very watery. The older the squab (baby pigeon) the thicker the formula (not too thick). Use a needle-less syringe and administer the warm formula gently. The crop should be filled and should look like a buldge. It is crucial that you feed the formula at the right temperature (not cold nor hot - just warm) - test it on your wrist before feeding it - like we test a bottle before feeding our own babies. You can feel how hot or cold the formula is using such method. Warning: if you feed it a cold mixture it will eventually die even if the formula contains all that is required for the chick to survive...if it is fed hot the chick will get crop burn....and the sensitive skin of his crop will tear open....very nasty and something that you shouldn't experience....I've seen photos and it's bad. The poor chick will needless to say die. The right formula at the right temperature (luke warm) and right amount should guarantee survival until it is eating on his own. Best of luck.
2016-05-21 16:27:27 · answer #2 · answered by ? 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
You can buy a baby bird food at most pet stores. I use one called "Exact" for my baby bird. You mix it with water according to the package directions and feed it to the baby with a syringe or dropper. The pet store should carry these also.
It would be best if you could find the nest and put it back inside for the parents to take care of, though. If not, you can always take it to an aviary or wildlife center. They have people there trained to take care of baby birds.
2007-05-30 01:48:33 · answer #3 · answered by Manda 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I agree with tmrvt. You should contact a licensed wildlife rehabilitator. They may not take the pigeon, but they may be able to help you with the feeding problem. You can find licensed facilities here:
http://www.tc.umn.edu/~devo0028/contact.htm
I hope your father reported those kids to the authorities. What they were doing is illegal and dangerous.
2007-05-30 03:04:29 · answer #4 · answered by margecutter 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
If you go to your local pet store (Petsmart, Petco, etc.) they have baby bird food that comes in a powdered form. You mix it according to the directions, and feed it to the bird via a syringe (which they should also sell at the store). Follow the feeding schedule on the can until the bird starts to peck at seed placed in its cage a few times a day. Then you can start to wean it.
2007-05-29 16:25:24 · answer #5 · answered by heatherfalcone@sbcglobal.net 2 · 2⤊ 1⤋
That sounds pretty good. Pigeons are primarily seed eaters. Good luck.
2007-05-29 17:02:34 · answer #6 · answered by The First Dragon 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
The best thing to do is try to find the nest and put it back with the parents. If that is not possible try this link http://www.tc.umn.edu/~devo0028/advice4.htm
Good Luck
2007-05-29 16:25:16 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
It probably would be best to contact a local wildlife rehaber to get info or even an avian/exotic veterinarian.
2007-05-29 16:24:59 · answer #8 · answered by tmrvt 4 · 1⤊ 1⤋
bread and milk would work better for a pigeon,,tey it good luck,,,,,,,,,
2007-05-29 23:47:27 · answer #9 · answered by colin-irene D 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋