Baby Dove .. Not A Starling / An Injured Starling ..Help!

[Charis]

How about if you keep her in the cage when you aren't home to clean up after her? You need to keep your brother happy too. He was there first.
I had a similar problem with my son. I finally agreed to put the pigeons in their cages when his friends were over. He was bothered by the poop too.

The other thing to keep in mind and it's an important one, unsupervised birds can injure them self and if no one is there to help them, the result can be deadly. I had my Sammy get his wing tangled in a drape and he hung by his wing for a long time before I knew. I'm grateful he can still fly and that he didn't do something that was fatal. I'm sure he had been showing off for his mate.
I hope this helps you. You are such a kind person and I really appreciate that.
Let us know how you work it out.

[little bird]

Actually, Swetzz55, when a pigeon matures it seeks a ''spot'' where it will feel safe and secure and one that it feels it can defend from intruders. It chooses a ''permanent'' place to call home. Whether the bird is in a coop...loft...or in the wild....it needs a home. If you set up a cage that is large enough for the bird to get some exercise and where it can set up a nest without soiling its' food & water....and leave the bird locked in there when you are away.....you will be doing the bird a favor by providing it with its' own private property. Do not feel you are punishing the bird....they thrive on security....even young babes in the nest try to defend their space. Sometimes when a bird must be moved ...say to another apt...as long as it has the same cage set-up....it feels it is home.

[Maggie-NC]

Originally Posted by little bird

Actually, Swetzz55, when a pigeon matures it seeks a ''spot'' where it will feel safe and secure and one that it feels it can defend from intruders. It chooses a ''permanent'' place to call home. Whether the bird is in a coop...loft...or in the wild....it needs a home. If you set up a cage that is large enough for the bird to get some exercise and where it can set up a nest without soiling its' food & water....and leave the bird locked in there when you are away.....you will be doing the bird a favor by providing it with its' own private property. Do not feel you are punishing the bird....they thrive on security....even young babes in the nest try to defend their space. Sometimes when a bird must be moved ...say to another apt...as long as it has the same cage....it feels it is home.

Great point, Nona. Of course, we don't keep any pigeons permanently inside the house except when they are sick or came in too late in the winter to put them outside, or overnight like our Mr. Humphries but they absolutely know that the cage is theirs and it does mean security.

We have had little "Honey" for just a couple or so months but she learned very quickly that her cage was safe and hers alone. When we let her out to fly, she does her business and then flies back to her cage.

Our little Kristina spent the winter with us about 5 years ago but to this day, when she is brought in the house to spend some time with us, she immediately flies into the dining room where her cage had been for several months.

Personally, I think they enjoy resting during the day.

[Charis]

Very good points, Nona and Maggie.

[maryjane]

I agree completely. When I have birds in for whatever reason (cold, sick, babies, etc.) I keep them in their (large) cages by day and at night they get to come out from about seven to midnight and hang out around the room. Many of them even go back into their cages before it's time, and the other ones go back in when it is time and I move them in that direction. It's just their indoor "nest box", and as long as there's room to move around and be comfy, that should be perfect for the day for Sky Daw.

Also, you can invest in PG Wear, which is a pigeon diaper that a member (Bonnie) makes on here. She custom makes them to specially fit your bird and then you are poop-free for the time when Sky Daw is out of the cage.