Found a fledgling pigeon

[elikinguk]

http://i220.photobucket.com/albums/d...irdcropped.jpg

http://i220.photobucket.com/albums/d...k/mrebird2.jpg

Here are a couple of photos of him.

Thanks Cynthia. Just took a look at the link and they look like the same, so more like 7 days old then.

He kinda stands but its more like flops around, he cant walk and when he does stand he wobbles and cant do it for long. his beak is pretty soft too. I dont want to put you out any more than i have to, where i can buy calcium syrup?

I have been giving him water and i've got him to eat some bread and soaked cat biscuits. I'll have a look for the egg food, otherwise ill try the wholemeal bread balls. Thanks a lot for your help.

Liz

[cyro51]

I agree, he must be about a week old and too young to eat by himself although he should be able to do that in another week or so. I don't think he would be walking at that age anyway and his beak would be bound to be a bit soft. But the Gem Liquid Calcium that I use is for handraising birds so he could probably use the supplement. I looked on the Gem site and couldn't find it there, but honestly I have much more than I need and would be happy to send you some if you can e-mail me an address, after all, you have the big job of hand raising the squab!

When you feed him do it until his crop is soft and cushiony. At that age you should be able to see it grow as he eats.

Cynthia

[elikinguk]

Thanks for all your advice and help, but he died last night. I got a call this morning from a sanctuary that would have taken him in as well. These things happen i suppose
Thanks again

Liz

[cyro51]

I am so sorry, Liz. When you find young ones out of the nest you don't know what illness or injury caused them to end up there, the best you can do is keep them warm , fed and watered and hope. But losing one always hurts.

Can you let us know the address of the sanctuary? Another Essex rescuer mentioned a sanctuary and it migh be useful for other rescuers to know where to go.

Cynthia

[elikinguk]

It was ARC (animal rescue charity) where i live: bishop's stortford, hertfordshire. i may have jumped the gun about them taking him in though, i rang them up and left a message asking if they do or if they know anywhere that would and they called me back but he had already died. they may have just been calling to tell me they don't take in doves/pigeons.

Sorry if they end up not taking them in, i was upset when i wrote that message before and i wasn't really thinking clearly, just assumed that was why they called.

Thank you for your kind words, and again for your help.

Liz x