Help we have a young feral pigeon

[eighlin]

My husband ,while boating on river,found a young aprox 21-25 day old pigeon that can not yet fly. No injuries. It was 100 ft or so below bridge where nest most likely was,struggling in water. No way for hubby to reach nest so he brought youngster home. We live in very woodsy area, private etc. I have raised baby birds and even squirrels in the past, to succesfully release back to wild. We actually have a 7ft tall by 4t wide cage that we built for baby squirrels with a couple of "roosting trees" and a nesting box. Nesting box is closed on 3 sides and we have placed small basket inside with nesting materials and bird seems very comfortable. He (she?) has eaten baby bird mush that I have used in past and even seems to be pecking on floor -I put down what we had avail. misture of flax seed, steel cut oats ,wheatgerm , oatmeal, thistle and some sunflower seed. I'm on my way to get wild bird mix at store. Also there is small ceramic bowl of water.These are my questions:1. He (SHE?) seems to be able to get out of nest down to floor at least 4 1/2ft-can't seem to catch him at it so I don't know how,anyway he can't fly so he can't get back up to nest can he? I mean there are a couple of small trees in cage and cross boards that frame the cage -can he hop and climb back up or do we need to periodiclly put him back as we did last night? 2.Can feral pigeons be raised as pets? Will he be too isolated or are we enough social stimulation? Should he be released when he can fly -will he come back thinking this is home? Is Dove mix good enough and where do I find that or pigeon food? I'm in Central Massachusetts. 3. The cage is outside surrounded by trees and blends quite well with woodsy flavor, BUT is that warm enough for winter or should something be built in barn and is that warm enough when it is 10 degrees and snowing? thanks so much for any info you can give,
Eighlin

[Trees Gray]

Hello and Welcome to pigeon Talk,

Thank you very much for rescuing this youngster. [

He (she?) has eaten baby bird mush that I have used in past and even seems to be peeking on floor -I put down what we had avail. misture of flax seed, steel cut oats ,wheatgerm , oatmeal, thistle and some sunflower seed. I'm on my way to get wild bird mix at store.

It sounds to me you are doing fine with the bird, but I would cut back on the flax seed, as it will give them the runs, you can add a tiny bit. I would get him started on the wild bird mix.

can he hop and climb back up or do we need to periodiclly put him back as we did last night?

Yes, it would be good to put him back in the nest, especially at night. They have an easier time getting down but not back up at this age.

2.Can feral pigeons be raised as pets? Will he be too isolated or are we enough social stimulation? Should he be released when he can fly -will he come back thinking this is home?

Yes, pigeons make good pets, alot of our members keep their birds indoors. You can decide whether to keep him or let him go, some babies want to rejoin the flock others don't.

Is Dove mix good enough and where do I find that or pigeon food? I'm in Central Massachusetts.

Dove mix will do for now, here is an example of a good pigeon mix. You can either find it at feed stores, or make it up yourself.

http://purgrain.com/ingredients.htm

3. The cage is outside surrounded by trees and blends quite well with woodsy flavor, BUT is that warm enough for winter or should something be built in barn and is that warm enough when it is 10 degrres and snowing? thanks so much for any info you can give,

Pigeons can withstand cold temps, but not drafts of wind, dampness, or rain. They do require some warmth, company of another pigeon, and predator proof accomodations. There should be no openings in their cage, or coop bigger then 1/4 inch, you would be suprised what kind of predators will come around.

[Pidgey]

Interestingly, a nestling who starts getting out of the nest at too young of an age very often gets into the habit of it. It'll only be a week or two before he or she will be able to get back up but it gets kinda' fun during that time.

Anyhow, they can become quite good pets but it's always a case of the bird's individual personality--some go back to the wild at the first opportunity and a few others don't want to have anything to do with their former lives. Once the bird starts seeing you as its parents, though, it'll want to stay pretty close until its own sense of purpose starts kicking in, whatever that may be.

They typically live in conditions where the weather and temperature are whatever they are, but they don't do well in dampness--they need a place that's not too drafty or wet. Wild dove mix is probably good enough, especially if you augment it with "grit" which is busted-up rocks that birds (and chickens) like to eat to help with calcium and to help them "chew" their food in the gizzard.

Pidgey

[eighlin]

Thank you both for your prompt responses. Already a few changes. I did get wild bird seed mix and He is pecking at it. He still seems to enjoy the mush -he sticks his head into a shot glass to eat it. I have moved water dish and scattered some seed up into area where nest sits (3 sided box attached to side of cage about 1 & 1/2 foot wide) for 2 reasons,so he wouldn't be too long out of nest area and because when I returned home I caught neighbors cat prowling outside of cage and bird was understandably shaken. So if we bring him(HER?) in house , how large a cage is adequate? also what about flight ,do they NEED to fly? In terms of releasing if that is what we or he opts for? At what age ,and if there is no flock nearby ( bird was found 1 hr away)where will he go? This is your typical grey and white pigeon normally found in a park or parking lot scavenging for food near urban areas, we live in a rural area . Nearest pigeon flock in store parking lot few miles away . Is that where we would let go? Do they mix with unrelated pigeons? Also if we keep as pet what about lack of another pigeon, that isn't a problem for him? Could we get a domesticated pigeon for a mate or companion? I really apreciate the help ,as i said earlier i have always rehabilitated wildlife that we knew when we begun would go back to wild ,this is new to me and even tho some family members(hubby and teenage son) want to keep I would like to do whats best for bird. I must say tho, when I think of him being spoiled by humans or scavenging for food at the local walmart it seems to be an easier choice,if we can do right by him in terms of the question of flight or companionship. One last question(for now) can I use common bird mite spray on him ? I've noticed a couple on him ,not loaded and if he were to stay outside I could live with it but NOT in my house. Again thanks so much,Eighlin

[pdpbison]

Hi eiglhn,


What fun!


He knows he is a wild Pigeon, and he is likely a little confused about his change of venue.

The mites or lice will not bother people or other Animals.

He is just in an awkward in-be-tween time, of wanting to explore, just learning to peck a little preciously, while not yet being developed enough to fly with his parents to forage with them.


If it was me, I would set him up in a Cage, smallish is fine, and have his Seeds and Water in there for him to get to easily.

Line the cage bottom with a light color Towell, and have some soft rumpled cloth for him to lay on if he wants.


When I get them like this, I keep them for a week or ten days, let them eat and so on under my supervision to make sure they do not over do it in their enthusiasms ( in fact, I usually feed them like their parents would have been, to put them at ease and so on, as well as provideing Seeds...)

And, I let them out to explore and test their Wings and so on several times-a-day...indoors here.

Once I am satisfied they are healthy, and developed enough to fly decently-enough, I return them to where I found them, so they may re-unite with their parents and sibling for enjoying the remainder of their fledglinghood, and to have their own family socialize them to their territory and grazing areas and other flock or community members and amenities.

Or, I assume those roles and if I am sure I can round them up easily, and I let them spend daily time with the feral flock I feed outside here every day.

Normally they do not eat on their own untill able to fly with their parents for forraging and grazing times...where they begin to peck and so on, otherwise they would have never seen Seeds or food or Water otherwise.

And sometimes, the more rembunctions of them get out of the Nest area and fall, and go off exploreing or trying to get back, then can't get back, and are not developed enough to fly up and back, so they are in that sort of limbo or peril.

He is sure lucky your husband found him!


Good luck with him!


Phil
Las Vegas

[Lin Hansen]

Originally Posted by eighlin

He still seems to enjoy the mush -he sticks his head into a shot glass to eat it. Eighlin

Good thinking!

We have a lot of different methods for feeding babies, but that's one I haven't seen mentioned before that is another option.

Thanks,
Linda

[Trees Gray]

You can use any parakeet bird spray that kills lice and mites, it works on pigeons too.

Yes, they do get along with domestic pigeons.

[eighlin]

I would like to thank everyone who took the time yesterday to help with our "youngster". He seems to be doing fine continues to jump or glide down to floor of coop and we occasionally put him back in nesting area. He does remain in nest at night. He is eating baby mush out of shot glass very eagerly 3 times a day and in between seems to be trying out this whole pecking thing. I've come up with a mixture of wild bird seed some oatmeal and some lentils and green peas. I also have put down some grit and so far so good. I think we will be realeasing as he seems to be very tolerant of being held but doesn't actually like to be picked up in the first place. Who knows that may change. Also I still am not sure how and where to release. Do they mix in a strange flock? Do we just let it fly away and of course if it come back then this is home? Anyway so far so good. Thanks again for all your help I'll keep you updated.
Eighlin

[Trees Gray]

Hi eighlin,

I'm glad to hear the youngster is quite rambunctious and being a normal youngster. He sounds like alot of fun.

Here are a couple of links in regards to releasing a rehab or youngsters.

Release criteria:

http://www.pigeons.biz/forums/showthread.php?t=11919

...and "To Release or not to Release.."

http://www.pigeons.biz/forums/showthread.php?t=10874

Thank you for helping this baby.

[eighlin]

Here is an update on my young feral. He seems to be pecking rather well, altho I have never seen him touch the water and he has 2 sources one up on his perch where nest is and one on floor where he hangs out most of day. He is flapping wings more often hopefully trying to fly. He seems to be less interested in hand feeding with the baby mush unless he has gone a fairly long period,yesterday would only eat from me at evening feeding around dusk. Also, he for the first time ,after he was fed, pecked at me and was sqeaking every so often if I even put my hand near him. This does not bother me as he can't do any real damage when he pecks at me and I know it's a warning to "back off". This does seem to indicate tho that he would prefer his feral life to one in domesticity-again an ok thing EXCEPT- Treesa, I read your links about release, excellent info,and it seems all Ducks are in a row(so to speak)except he has no flock . Again we are in a rural part of Mass. we get morning doves in the backyard every day but the only place I see pigeons is in a couple of local store parking lots. Is that where he should be released? Or do I release him here and if he comes back for shelter and food thats ok? Again,we are not opposed to keeping him,we have had pet birds before,But what is best for HIM? Also I think I'm keeping him feral because we never brought him in house as we had adequate home outside. But now I'm wondering if that is why he is so wary or dismissive of us. But if he is to be released thats a good thing . Any suggestions? thanks,Eighlin

[Trees Gray]

I think when my birds peck me, it means they have accepted me, I'm one of them, so it is a compliment. They are not afraid of me and let me know when I am on their turf.

If you can't keep him the best way to release him would be with other rehabilited youngsters in an area that is safe with access to food and water. They do better in a group release, and it might be wise to let him adjust and become acquanted with other youngsters if possible, before release.

Perhaps there is another rehabilitator in your area that will be releasing other youngsters, perhaps they can help.


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