Found baby pigeon PLEASE HELP

[Treflonie]

I am new here I just registered because I have just found one baby pigeon,it's almost 10 days to 2 weeks old I guess...I found it on a terrace in front of my apartment,and I took it in,it's all covered in warm soft cloths,newspaper under it too...I hastily read some topics,but i decided to ask what to do next...it looks kinda weak,and tired...it softly squeaks,and pants and looks puffy around the neck and breast...i gave it some water with sugar as I read and it drank a bit...it wouldn't really eat anything tho...i figured it might be a bit scared and all...I dunno where it came from,can't take it back...it pooped once and it was all normal...it s in a quiet dark room...

What next? It looks ok,wings folded,it s easy to handle,the legs look ok tho one "finger" and one claw seem twisted...but not broken and it moves its legs...spreads the wings...


What else...it breaths kind of ghastly,kind of fast sometimes...other times it s quiet...no vet nearby...so i ll head off and get some grain,seeds,something for small "chicks"...

What else to do!? I hope it is ok and I hope it will get better,more active,dunno...what more can i do?

Thanks

[Feefo]

Hello and welcome to PT.

This thread will give you important information on what to do immediately:

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

Could you also give the baby a quick check? Open its mouth, it should be clean and pink. If it is bluish, or there are yellow, creamy grouths, or there are strings of mucous, please let us know.

Then examine it carefully for injuries. Look under its wings..watch out fer areas in which the feathers are diffferent, they can be pushed into an injury and conceal it.

If you can, get some Keytee Exact baby bird formula and saome small seed, like canary seed.

Please keep us updated and if you can, provide a photo.

Also can you let us know where you are? Someone may know of resources near you.

Cynthia

[Treflonie]

I live in Bucharest,Romania...I did examine the baby and it looks good! i did check everywhere,lifted feathers,i spread its wings and it spread them easily...i didnt feel anything wrong...the legs are ok too...the beak is intact,and everything is pink all right and clean too...thanks for the link and for the prompt answer!

I ll look for the needed products at the nearby pet shops! On my way!

[Treflonie]

it s pretty much like this one...pretty much as in NO major changes...same yellowish feathers in the same regions...a bit on the head and the breasts...and just about this big...MAYBE atad bigger...but it s the same

[Treflonie]

Try as I might I just cant make it eat (enough). I bought the Keytee product,and also a box of small various seeds,and I've tried yolk too...it eats very little...and most of it falls out cause the baby moves its head...but it s way more active today,and it chirps a lot more today,especially if I'm not in the room...if I get there it gets quiet and it starts "gnawing" at my hand...is it mad at me for some reason,such as cramming the food,or is it hungry?

I dont think he ate more than 2 ml / "session"...and i try to feed him as often as I read I should...What next? should I keep this up? Cause he DOES look more active and it's spreading its wings more...it wont stay under the cloth ,he moves around...

Thanks!

[Pidgey]

It often takes a few days (2 or 3) before they'll accept you as the new caregiver. It's a lot easier to get them to eat after that period.

Pidgey

[Feefo]

What feeding method are you using? It is obviously hungry and sees you as the food provider.

The Kaytee needs to be slightly warmer than our body temperature, 39 degrees celcius.

This is a link to a thread on which various methods of feeding squabs are illustrated:

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

At the moment I am hand feeding a young wood pigeon that should be able to feed himself. He clamps his jaw and struggles madly, so what I am doing is soaking very small seed in warm water and scooping a pinch into his mouth every time he opens it. That seems to be filling his crop reasonably well.

Cynthia

[maryjane]

He's just hungry, that's why he acts that way pecking your hand. Don't worry about hurting him, if you gently pry open his beak you can pop seeds, frozen peas (thawed of course), or even soft bits of soaked dog kibble. He looks pretty healthy so far so he's off to a good start. Here is a very easy way of feeding the Kaytee, at least very easy for me!

http://picasaweb.google.com/awrats3333/BabyFeeding#

This method works well because it allows the baby to mimic feeding from the parents' beak. The baby actually sticks its beak into the parent's beak and gulps down the food made for it. This method offers a similar option for the baby. You can mix 1/4 tsp plain yogurt in with the food to help digestion. Feed until the crop is full but not hard or distended, like a soft balloon. That's neat that there is Kaytee available in Romania.

[Treflonie]

HELP,please! He has ben so quiet and apathetic today...he was fed better today...but he was lonely most of the day because I was alone at home and i really had to leave...so for like 6 hours no one was here to take care of him! (dunno why I keep saying "him"!)

He closes his eyes a lot,no sound,and seems to doze off...is he actually getting more relaxed and all or something wrong is going on? I hope not!

I carry him all day long,wherever i go...he's right here with my,in my arms...

Sometims after I feed him he snorts and opens his beak...guess that's normal though...but that's the one thing that scares me,the fact that he's too apathetic!

[Feefo]

I think that he must be dehydrated if he hasn't been taking in enough food.

Please make certain that he is warm, then mix 1 pint warm water with 1/2 tablespoon of glucose, or honey or sugar and 1/2 teaspoon of salt. try trickling this in the right hand side of his beak.

He really needs to get at least some fluids soon.

Cynthia

[spirit wings]

just asking could the parents of this baby still be around the balcony? seems weird they would abandon him....perhaps if it is warm out there you could set him out their protected..and after he gets hydrated, for a short while to see if mum and dad are looking for him.

[Victor]

Use a dropper to give this baby fluids. Water is very important to birds. It is probably too little to teach it how to eat and drink from a dish.You probably will have to pry it beak open too, but once the fluids trickle down, he should be more receptive to it like my baby rescue was.

[Treflonie]

My baby died! I feel miserable...he didnt eat much it s true but i did make sure he took in even that small amout of food and i gave him lots of water...the problem was other...and it is all my fault,because i knew how delicate they are and how much care they need...and on Friday he was so well and Saturday morning again,chirping and picking my hand with his beak and climbing all over me...but i had to leave that morning and no one fad him no one even checked on him...i should have stayed home and cancel all...dunno why i didnt give it all up for that little guy's life...and...i feel lousy...just came in to post this in order to mark his death somehow...God,i am so sorry...dont know how i could possibly leave him!!! For what is worth ...i hope i die 5 years earlier than i should...that s how cheap and lousy i feel...the guy depended on me and he ended up like this!

Thanks for all the help you guys gave me...unfortunately it didnt help me be more human ...i should have asked for this before anything.And some brains too...

[myrpalom]

I am so sorry the baby died.
But please don't feel so guilty about it.
The reason of his death is certainly not the he was left alone for a few hours.
He was warm and cosy in your house, and you fed him and watered him.
Maybe he did not really take enough food inside, but I don't think either this caused his death (not so quickly anyway)
In my opinion he could have had an internal injury from a fall or an illness going on... so many city pigeons here in Europe are born with so many viruses and deficiencies... and don't survive after 2 or 3 weeks...
You did your best to save him, but sometimes even then we loose them.
I know this is hard (I rescue pigeons for 16 years now) and we never forget them... but once you cared for a pigeon or a baby pigeon, you will be more aware of their existence and suffering. Maybe, probably... destiny will place another precious life in your hands... and will you be able to save it.
God bless you for what you have done for this little one.
It was just not meant to be.
Myriam