trying to find the best solution for baby; long rambling post

[pdpbison]

Hi Jen,


Sounds like a normal Squeaker who has some several weeks to go till being able to fly up to things and so on...and they love to explore and climb and so on of course too at this age.

Usually too, they first tend to prefer the smaller Seeds, and or to just peck one kind, and of course we wish for them to eat more of a variety...so...

See if you can get maybe some Rape Seeds to add...

And or also, take a mix of Millet, Milo, Rape and small Wheat or other small to medium Seeds, and add a little fresh Olive Oil to them, just so they glisten a little...stirr well of course to distribute the 'glisten' and then if you want, you can also add a little Brewer's Yeast powder and some powdered Purple Dulce or other additions which will stick to the Seeds then for her to eat when she pecks them.

"Nekton-T" is a nice powdered Bird Vitamine-Mineral product you can order on line with a 'google' search...

Soon she will take an interest also in the larger Seeds like the White Safflower.

Even my little adolescent Doves tended to get into the White Safflower Seeds once they had been in their initial tiny Seed phase of pecking...

My doves and Pigeons all reallyu love the dried, thin, matter Sea Weed they sell in discs for 99 Cets at the Oriental Markets...this is very good for them of course...I just shred some up with my fingers and mix it in with their Seeds, or leave it loose where they graze, and it all disappears soon after...

Too, if your young Pigeon can eat with your adult Dove, that would be a nice encouragement for her to want to try pecking whatever kinds of Seeds the Dove is pecking...


Glad to hear things are going well...!


Phil
Las Vegas

[sdreamcatcher@g]

....for not keeping everyone posted better; its been a rough couple of weeks (and beyond), both critterwise (i have a mini zoo here) and personal issues that have been going on.

the baby has been tentatively named "Checkers", to see if the name fits, and i think shes a girl (just pure guessing at this point, as i have no idea how to tell). She gets along well with Kachina, my male ringneck dove, but he is still deciding if her likes her or not. he appears to be torn between having to share "his" rooms, and wanting company. even though he isnt very tame/socialable with me, he may also be a bit jealous of the attention she receives. Checkers' foot is still about the same and im guessing she may eventually lose toes (her back toe on that foot looks real good, but the others are questionable). i owe too much at the vet to be able to take her in (havent been able to take my pet rat in either, although i did get him antibiotics from the pet store, and hes improving a bit), and im not all that sure if they would even see a pigeon. from pictures i took, it looks like the toe problems have probably always been there, but i still feel guilty. on a very positive note, she shows no effects of having a bad foot, and happily hops around. i line her little tank with a pillowcase to keep her foot padded, and rub a mix of coconut oil and tea tree oil on it from time to time, which helped the sores she developed last week heal very quickly. shes on a supplement for immune system support, as well as having diatom powder mixed in her food (for parasite control). Kachina is also being "treated" as a precaution. all in all she appears to be a very happy and well-adjusted little girl, very sweet, friendly, and responsive.

i will start another thread with more stories and pictures when i get a chance, since she has really come far the last couple of weeks. right now, Simon (my rat) takes up most of my energy, as well as my 19 year young kitty (who is a crf cat), and i also have the other critters to care for. thanks to everyone who has offered advise and support to help me provide for this special little baby!