Found a baby as well - need advice

[SKorstrom]

All of the advice on this site has been great. I found a little one and judging by pictures posted on this site he may be approx. 18-20 days old. I think his leg is injured or possibly deformed as it sits at an odd angle from his body. I've placed him in a cardboard box with shredded paper as a nest. A stuffed TY bird is keeping him company (good idea or no!) I've offered water with a little corn syrup but I'm not sure if he's drinking or pecking at it in panic. He did start pecking at a piece of bread that I covered in crushed Taco shell so he is eating. Question: how much should he eat and how often. At this stage are these little guys self eaters? I know how to care for rescued dogs and horses but I'm "winging" it with this one.
Susan - LaSalle, MB Can

[cyro51]

Hi Susan, welcome to pigeons.biz. The Ty toy is a great idea and works well.

I have three links for you to follow:

The first leads to an album with photographs and instructions on what to feed, how to feed and how often to feed. baby pigeons.

The second shows an alternative method of feeding, using a plastic bag which might be easier to lay your hands on that the syringe used in the first link.

The third link has photos and instructions on how to correct a splay leg...it sounds as if your baby has a splay lefg but you might need to have someone else look at it and confirm before correcting it.

http://community.webshots.com/album/165797594SYYRWL

http://community.webshots.com/album/102109969uMjJeJ

http://community.webshots.com/album/193589827zTYswz

Cynthia

[Birdmom4ever]

Hello Susan, Welcome to Pigeons.com. Thank you so much for helping this baby. If you haven't already done so, please read the thread "Basic Steps to Saving the Life of a Pigeon or Dove." http://www.pigeons.biz/forums/showthread.php?t=11265

The box and all sounds fine; the stuffed toy won't hurt anything and he may even find it a comfort. At 18-20 days he's a bit young to eat on his own and won't recognize bread or chips as food. But the fact that he's pecking at it indicates his readiness to start trying to eat on his own. I have seen pigeons as young as 3 weeks of age start eating by themselves.

Get some bird seed and scatter a little in a place where he can see it. For babies I usually put some in a shallow dish where I can spread it around. Young pigeons have an instinct to peck at small, round objects. If you can't get pigeon mix (from any feed store), bird seed is ok: cockatiel, canary, parakeet or wild bird seed, though I wouldn't feed him sunflower seeds. In the mean time you can try hand-feeding him thawed frozen peas and corn. Gently open his beak, place the pea or corn in his mouth and he should swallow it. If he doesn't catch on to eating then you'll need to feed him formula for awhile. Kaytee Exact Hand-Feeding Formula or equivalent products are available at most pet stores. Here are some links to instructions on hand-feeding:

http://www.users.globalnet.co.uk/~pi...nge_method.htm

http://members.aol.com/duiven/medical/feedbaby.htm

http://www.internationaldovesociety....eedinghelp.htm

How is the chick's general condition? Is he thin, or does he feel of normal weight (breast should feel rounded without the keel sticking out and feeling sharp)? How is his feather condition? The leg could be splay-leg, an injury or the result of certain diseases; it's difficult to diagnose without seeing the bird.

Also, please check the inside of the little one's mouth. It should be clear and pink with no white or yellowish cheesy growths inside. The latter indicate Trichomoniasis/canker, the most common disease afflicting pigeons. It's caused by a parasite and is easily treated with medication.

Lastly, could you please give us your geographical location? We may be able to find a rehabber near you who can help.

-Cathy

[Birdmom4ever]

Oops--looks like Cynthia and I were typing our posts at the same time.

[Trees Gray]

Hello and Welcome to pigeons.com

This youngsters is just learning to pick up food, and may need a little help.

You can feed him for now, as he needs about a tablespoon of seed every 4 hours. You can hand feed him drained frozen corn or peas for now. You will have to open the beak, but gently and put a peace of corn or pea behind the tongue, then allow him to swallow, and try again. He will resist at first cause he doesn't know what you are trying to do. The parents usually feed them by putting the baby's beak inside theirs and they regurtitate.

You can open the beak with thumb and forefinger and use other hand to put food in.

If you can get some bird seed that would even be better. Soak about a tablespoon or more, for 10 minutes, drain and feed. Throw away any thing left over.

The bird may have splayed leg, which happens when their feet come out from under them. If they can't get a grip they lose their footing when they are still sitting and it will grow like that permanently if not corrected.

Please try to re-position the leg (immediately, don't wait)under the body in sitting position, just like the other one, you can use tape(soft surgical tape) to keep them together correctly, a small bowl to confine both legs under the body, or nest bowl, lined with clean hand towel or washcloth.

I'm going to find a link that will show an example of how to tape.

OOPS! looks like I'm a little late. Thanks Cynthia and Birmom4ever for providing the links!

[cyro51]

Oops--looks like Cynthia and I were typing our posts at the same time.

LOL. I am at work and attempting "rapid response" just in case no one else is around. Great to know you are both there!

Cynthia

[SKorstrom]

Thanks for the advice. After trying unsuccessfully to get food in his beak, I accidentally dropped the unthawed pea, he went ballistic and it was gone. So I gave him more along with some bird seed - it's gone so I guess he can feed himself. The illustrations on the links were great so I know that since his "crop" is full - that's a good thing. I have a call into a local pigeon society in Winnipeg, MB so hopefully I can either get him to someone who knows what they are doing or they can show me what to do. At least today he is not food for the farmer's dog or winding up under the hoof of a horse and that was his position yesterday.

[Trees Gray]

Thanks again for making a difference in this little guys life. He is probably arond 25 days f age, and a smart little guy!

Please give him a bowl of water, and he will drink it gladly and with great thanks!