Found Fledgling in SF - Need Advice :)

[relofts]

The wild bird seed sometimes has the black sunflower seeds in it which my preference is to not feed the shelled sunflower but they will eat most everything else in the mix, if you are able to get some safflower seeds that is like a treat to pigeons, also popcorn that is uncooked and that is not the microwave kind, the best for them is a pigeon mix but I am not sure how easy it would be for you to get that in San Francisco I guess it depends on where you are there and how close a feed store is, many of the pet store will sell a dove mix which works well, you will only need to get a couple of pounds.

How I have taught youngsters to eat is by putting the seed with extra safflower on the top in a small like custard dish, even you don't have the extra safflower they will still eat it, I will try the hand method as explained before, I also keep the feed readily available in the feed cup for the youngster to explore it, the feed will flow out a little onto the towel and the youngsters curiosity will get the best of him or her and it will start to pick it up and play with it a little, you can also do the hand pecking thing, pretty soon you will see them playing around with the food and they will get some in their mouth and then after that they usually will start eating, they are a little awkward at first but they catch on pretty quick.

Ellen

[dlgilbert4]

Hi Ellen,

Today after his second feeding, he sat in my lap awhile. He made lots of "cheep" and "eek" sounds and flapped his wings - I figured out that meant he was still hungry and we worked on trying to eat seeds. He pecked at some seeds on my finger a few times and ate three or four. Yay! Progress! I'll keep you updated. No luck yet with the water.

He's kinda messy from our first few feeding attempts - he has some formula on his neck. I have not seen him preen yet. Does he need a bath? How do I do that?

Danielle

[relofts]

dlgilbert4,

You are doing great!! No baths at this time, if you need to clean him up a little you can dampen a paper towle or a cloth and wipe gently in the same way as the feathers flow towards. Continue to try to get him eating on his own, he is old enough to supply himself with food and will drink as well in no time at all he will start drinking, continue as you are but try to get away from doing the feedings with the syringe you have done great, but they are so easily aspirated it is best not to unless you have to as a matter of life or death. Please continue on and keep us posted as you go. He will make a mess with the seeds but that is great it will teach him to eat as he picks at them.

Will watch for additional updates.

Ellen

[dlgilbert4]

Here is a picture of Cole standing up and a picture of his feces. The yellow crumbs on his head and beak are from the formula.

He is quite wobbly when he stands and when he walks. Is that normal at this age?

How old do you think he is?

Are his feces normal?

[Charis]

What a cute bird and about my favorite age in a pigeon.
His poops look normal for a bird that has been fed formula.
Have you fallen in love with him yet? Regardless, it's wonderful you have taken him on.

[feralpigeon]

Hi dlgilbert4,

I notice that the picture you just posted shows feathers missing around the
lower mandible and there may possibly be some inflamation there. Did you by
chance give a good inspection of the inside of the mouth to look for any cheesy
appearing growths? Also, have you done a hands on 'exam of both sides of the
throat to feel for abnormalties from one side to another?

Your baby is adorable, no doubt about it, even still, sometimes if a baby
is ill they are 'bumped' if you will to go out on their own due to illness. I'd just
feel better if you took your time and gave Cole (Cole ST.?), a hands on exam
and let us know if you notice anything unusual.

Thanks,

fp

[dlgilbert4]

Hi fp,

The next time I have him out I'll attempt to examine his mouth and neck. I don't know what normal looks or feels like, but I'll do my best. Would a better picture help you out? If so, from what angle?

Danielle

[Lovebirds]

These babies are all about the same age as yours. See how they have feathers under their beak, rather than the it being bare? That's the concern.

[dlgilbert4]

What are some reasons that would cause that region to be bare? What else am I looking for?

[feralpigeon]

Originally Posted by dlgilbert4

What are some reasons that would cause that region to be bare? What else am I looking for?

We are looking for symptoms of Trichomoniasis, layperson's terms being Canker.

Usually if visible you will see yellow/whitish yellow 'cheesy' growths in the mouth area. From what you have there I'm suspecting a lump on the side where no
feathers and bare. The problem sometimes is that the active site for the organism is out of our 'sight' and so we feel to see if there is a lump on one side of the throat but not the other. There are other diagnostic techniques, but let's just start w/the basics. Visuals in the mouth and gently palpating the throat region. A normal throat should feel symetrical. I have meds and we can connect on that, so not to worry.

I am going to send you a PM, please follow the prompts when you are notified on screen.

fp

[JGregg]

You also have the option of taking the squeaker to rehabbers in the area. Wildcare in San Rafael is a great place to take sick or orphaned birds (just not injured ones!). Wildcare also accepts pigeons, and you can find them on the link below.

http://www.pigeon-life.net/prd.htm

Wildcare 415-456-7283

[relofts]

I have seen this before in Feral pigeons, Bruce had 2 that he transported to Terry that looked almost just like this, we had suspected an inadequate diet but I am not sure that is what it is. I hope Terry comes on soon and takes a look she may have some idea.

Ellen

[TAWhatley]

Originally Posted by relofts

I have seen this before in Feral pigeons, Bruce had 2 that he transported to Terry that looked almost just like this, we had suspected an inadequate diet but I am not sure that is what it is. I hope Terry comes on soon and takes a look she may have some idea.

Ellen

I'm here .. sometimes it's diet, sometimes it's parasites, sometimes it's being picked/pecked on by other birds, and sometimes it's canker or another internal "nasty" that causes the baldness. It definitely needs to be checked into. Some years ago, I lost a darling little squeaker that I had named Poquito because I failed to snap on the fact the s/he had bald spots .. it was canker that I couldn't see .. I was heartbroken ..

Terry

[feralpigeon]

I can bring a variety of things w/me in a trip to visit Danielle and Cole. I won't
recommend w/out symptoms, I can bring general health items as well.

If folks believe that based on feedback the bird should see a doctor, we can arrange for this as well. I think while this is urgent in the sense of being proactive for the bird, it is not a full blown crisis. We'll check back w/the group as things proceed.

fp

[pdpbison]

Originally Posted by dlgilbert4

I have tried using my fingers to tap and "peck" at some seed, but he just sits and huddles and seems quite uninterested in what I am doing.

When I dip his beak in the water, he shakes and jerks his head.

He doesn't move (at all) between feedings and hasn't walked around his enclosure or anything. Is he scared? Tired? Both?

Should I just be patient?

Hi dlg4...



Their drinking Water needs to be warmed first so it is near body temperature.

Do not use 'hot' Tap Water, and do not use a microwave, but, rather, gently warm some 'cold' Tap Water in a Pan on the Stove...so it is just about but no more than feeling like 'no temperature' to the underside of your wrist.

If it is not close to their body temperature, they will not drink it.


Pre-feldgelings do not need to be kept 'in' anything, unless they are afraid of you or afraid of the situation or distrusting...their natural manners are to stay in or next to whatever they percieve as their defacto 'Nest'...and to some extent, this 'Nest' can be whatever one sets up for them, where one feeds them "there"...feeding them 'there' affirms for them that that place IS the 'Nest'...is where they will get fed...as well as their sense of the Nest being safe and sensible.


I just keep them on some dresser top or table top...having a smallish cardboard box on it's side, so one side, the front, is open...with a white towell 'floor' and maybe a cake-pan or tray or something shallow like that with some soft cloth in it, 'in' in the box-on-its-side,usually having also some sheer or light cloth draped over the open front with a gap at the bottom, for a sort of curtain he can go through to come out or to go in...so the youngster can sort of 'hide' in there if he likes, while having a exposed 'porch' area of towell to come out on to when he feels like it.


If he is not alienated or scared of you from being force fed and handled and so on, you could try this to get him drinking and pecking today -


Keep your hands below his eye level always...and keep you arms and hands still unless intentionally interacting. Make no un-neccary moves or talking.

Moisten your finger tips in warm water, in a cup, like a Tea Cup, and reaching to him from below his eye level, with your moist warm finger tips of one hand, gently massage the root area of his Beak between the pads of your fingertips...

And, while you do so, say "ooooOOOOooo!...ooooOOoooo!...in a low, slowish deepish voice that comes from the back of your thoat. Which is more or less what their parents say when calling to them to be fed.


If you do this even approximately 'right', he will respond with a combination of amazement, interest and uncertainty you really mean it...

Do it again, and, most likely he will "nuzzle"...

Nuzzleing is where they seek with their Beak, the parent's throat for being fed.

Usually this is accompanied by initially some tentative 'squeaking' or 'peeping' and shoulder pumping motions.


If he nuzzles, then, gently, with the renewed dipping of the fingertips into some body temperature Water in the close at hand Tea Cup...gently touching his Beak and keeping your finger tips of one hand on the root area and sides of his Beak...gently guide it into the Water which is in the Tea Cup...and he will drink.


Then, get a small Shot-Glass...and fill it with small whole 'Parakeet' or 'Finch' Seeds.


Just as above, gently guide his Beak into the Seeds, keeping your finger tips on the sides of his Beak...and he will 'gobble' the Seeds...

They can eat an aweful lot this way too, and fast...so, for the first few times, just let him eat say what one might guess to be a Tablespoon or so worth...then do it again in an hour or two...but check his Crop to fullness while beaing in mind that these or any Seeds swell up a good deal when they hydrate.


Doing this, he will very soon start pecking at the seeds also, once you have let him gobble a few times in this way, and where you are holding the Shot Glass of small whole Seeds in front of him pending the next 'gobble' with finget-tips on his Beak round...he will wish to tentatively start pecking at them with no fingertips.

Make sounds of whatever kind TO him then, when he does this, that convey admiration, approval and praise...


This, if you do it more or less right, will have him self-feeding in half-a-day or less.

If one does it 'right' for lots of practice, a new arrived Squeaker will be eating on his own in ten minutes, for having been led through this progression.

Then, staying with him for any feeding sessions, you can 'peck' also with your crook'd index finger tip...and let him eat sensible amounts as he may, but do not leave Seeds in with him...only have him eat while you are there and 'pecking' with him.


Same with Water....warm some Cold tap Water in a Pan, put some into a Tea Cup, so it is body temperature but not more...and offer it off and on through out the day...after a few times of your guiding his Beak to it, he will dink without needing that 'guidance' anymore...but, do not leave it with him.

Just offer tepid Water off anf on through out the day...and check his Crop to see if it is 'mushy', and if it not, offer Water.

Later, after a week of this, you can let him have a Seed Bowl ( with measured amounts of Seeds in case he gets carried away and es all of them ) and a Water Bowl, and he will not care anymore if the Water is coolish or room temperature...which Bowls should be at leat an inch deep, and have wide bottoms so they do not tip easily.


Thas the crash-sourse...


Let us know how it goes?


Best wishes!


Phil
Las Vegas