Not sure about what to do

[Charis]

Sounds very cute. I just love that age.
Work at eating for 5 minutes at a time.
I don't think he's any too young for a bath if he shows an interest.
It will be very interesting to me if once grown, you will notice a difference between the pedigree pigeons you have and this little feral.

[Dezirrae]

What kind of seeds are you working with Hilly? When we first got Hope he wasn't on seeds either. Someone here suggested having the seeds available whenever I did the handfeeding... feed a little, peck at seeds, feed a little pect at seeds. I think the idea was to get the "this is food" association going. I also used a mix canary and parakeet seed mixes - all the seeds seem to be very small & Hope could easily pick them up. I think the colors and smell also caught his attention. And then Hope really started eating up a storm once he was in with Pidge and saw Pidge pecking away. If imitation is the most sincere form of flattery than Pidge should have a huge ego by now!

Good luck with your little guy

[Charis]

Originally Posted by Dezirrae

What kind of seeds are you working with Hilly? When we first got Hope he wasn't on seeds either. Someone here suggested having the seeds available whenever I did the handfeeding... feed a little, peck at seeds, feed a little pect at seeds. I think the idea was to get the "this is food" association going. I also used a mix canary and parakeet seed mixes - all the seeds seem to be very small & Hope could easily pick them up. I think the colors and smell also caught his attention. And then Hope really started eating up a storm once he was in with Pidge and saw Pidge pecking away. If imitation is the most sincere form of flattery than Pidge should have a huge ego by now!

Good luck with your little guy

That's really a good way to describe it.

[Hillybean]

Originally Posted by Dezirrae

What kind of seeds are you working with Hilly? When we first got Hope he wasn't on seeds either. Someone here suggested having the seeds available whenever I did the handfeeding... feed a little, peck at seeds, feed a little pect at seeds. I think the idea was to get the "this is food" association going. I also used a mix canary and parakeet seed mixes - all the seeds seem to be very small & Hope could easily pick them up. I think the colors and smell also caught his attention. And then Hope really started eating up a storm once he was in with Pidge and saw Pidge pecking away. If imitation is the most sincere form of flattery than Pidge should have a huge ego by now!

Good luck with your little guy

Dez,
thank you for the information.

The "seeds" are just from the pigeon feed. I never thought about parakeet and canary seed. I also didn't think about the feed being too big or hard to pick up. Its has a pretty good sized beak, I guess that is why I didn't think about it.

I also think that'd be a good way to try to get it to eat. It does seem to have a short attention span .

Did you pick the canary/parakeet seed for a store or pet shop?




Charis,
I also am very curious to see how this little ones personality turns out. I wonder if I'll see much of a difference . It for sure is a learning experiance and I am enjoying it.



We have had rain all day again today, so still no sign of pigeons or the parents.

-Hilly

[Dezirrae]

Sorry for the delayed response Hilly.

I just picked up the Hartz canary seed and another box of parakeet seed in the grocery store -- 14 to 17% protein so I figured it was nice & healthy. Ingredient list includes lots of stuff they would get in the pigeon mix too.

I just tried this on a hunch though - not based on anything "tried" or scientific

They're so darn cute at that age! Watching them learn. Would love to see more pictures when you get a chance too

[Trees Gray]

Oh, little WhiteFlight is adorable!!

You can put out a small spill proof bowl or tub of water anytime now, he may just go in and splash around, I've had them that young that just loved it, and he may drink from it too.

I would start hand feeding some seed to get his tongue used to it, he will learn the taste of seed and the tongue muscle will learn to pull the seed to the back of the throat for swallowing. Then be sure to peak his cuirosity with a small bowl of seed, and play with the seed with your finger, also move it around on his towel. He may take a few days to figure it out and a few more to learn to pick up and eat it, but hunger will eventually motivate him. Let him play with the seed and put a few in his beak one at a time, and see how he does, before you feed the formula.

[Hillybean]

Hey Everyone!
Sorry I haven't been on I have been ill, and am trying really hard to get over it.

This little one is doing AWSOME! It is for sure a pet, even though it "knows" that it is a pigeon.

This one still isn't eating on its own. Even though I think it should be able to. I have tried everything, pecking at the seed, popping some in its mouth/down its throat, and trying to have it eat with one of the others. I'm still feeding the same amount and it still seems VERY hungery after every feeding...like it needs something more?

Its healthy, but in general is going to be a small pigeon...I think.

I started flying this weekend really well. I has now been moved to its own cage in the room.

It comes right to me and other people. Of course it squeaks the whole time.

Any ideas?


Here is a video from June 23rd. I'll get some more UTD pictures/video soon.
http://pets.webshots.com/video/30551...97997225XdoVqI

Thank You,
Hilly

[Charis]

That is one cute pigeon!
Have you tried smaller seed like canary seed?

[Hillybean]

Hey Everyone,
this little one is doing good.

Over the weekend I got really sick. I also ran out of formula and wasn't able to get out and get some till the next day. I seems it wasn't needed though.

The one day without formula the little one got hungry enough to EAT on its OWN!!
I went to check on it and its whole crop was full of pigeon seed!!
I have one question, should I continue to feed it the formula for a little longer?? It still acts hungry with a crop full of seed and still tries to get food from me.

I believe this little one is going to be kept as part of my flock .

Thank You,
Hilly