Feeding a baby pigeon

[sheild]

hello
I have been syringe feeding 2 pigeons that i found for the last 5 days there about 13 days old now ,i was just wondering how long do i have to keep it up and what food do i get when there ready to eat on there own

[cyro51]

What are you feeding them?

If you feed them well soaked chick crumbs (soak in hot but not boiling water for half and hour, liquidise and strain if necessary) you can start adding small seeds like canary and finch food, scatter a few seeds around the pigeons and they will start experimenting with picking them up. But if they are wood pigeons it will probably be another two weeks ofr more before they feed themselves.

You can also try tempting them with defrosted sweet corn and peas (no tinned stuff!)

It is important to weigh the pigeons every day to make certain that they are thriving.

Cynthia

[sheild]

i have been feeding them warm watery porridge through a a syringe .i give them two 5ml syringes three times a day is this enough

[cyro51]

Raw porridge oats are okay but cooked porridge is actually bad for them, I don't think they can digest that!

Can you try to get egg food or chick crumbs? Otherwise Ready Brek or soak and liquidise some dog biscuits or try Ready Brek. Or you could make a paste of defrosted corn and peas. Feed them warm (but not hot) food.

They need quite a lot to eat...30mls three times a day. If you get some disposable icing sugar bags, put the food in that and ease their beaks into the opening they will probably eat on their own. Squeeze the bag gently when they open their beaks wide . Or try putting the food in a bent spoon. I will add the link in a second.

Cynthia

[sheild]

yep i will get some egg food and chickcrumbs and start feeding them 30ml 3 times aday
thanks to all for your help really glad i found you guys
kind regards
sharon

[cyro51]

HI Sharon,

Sorry, 30 ml might be a bit too much for 13 day old woodie. Make the first feeds small to see how much the crop can hold and how well the crop is emptying. 5ml, then 10 etc. The problem with woodies is that if they get stressed they clench their crops, so it can overfill. That is why it is best to let them feed themselves from a syringe, bag or bent spoon.

This is a link to various methods of feeding...scroll down to the bent spoon method, I have never used it but you will see baby woodies eating happily from the spoon:

http://www.pigeons.biz/forums/showth...referrerid=560

Cynthia

[cyro51]

This is the only rehabber I have found in Cornwall so far. Always check what the fate of a bird will be before handing it over for rehab. Woodies are considered both pests and game

MOUSEHOLE WILD BIRD HOSPITAL AND SANCTUARY LTD
Mr Ellis / Mrs Penrose, Raginnis Hill , Mousehole , PENZANCE , Cornwall , TR19 6SR
Ph: 01736 731386 .
Rescue and rehabilitation of all wild birds that are injured or oiled etc.


Cynthia

[cyro51]

I just received a very reassuring call from Sharon, so I just want to assure everyone else that is following this thread that the woodies are in very good hands.

Cynthia

[sheild]

just soaked chick crumbs and tried the bag trick and they loved it .The pigeons loved it now fat full and sleeping
thanks for everyones help

[Trees Gray]

Thanks for letting us know, Cynthia and Sharon.

I'm glad to hear they are eating well, & enjoying the chick crumbs!