Found a baby - Help

[Pigwigon]

I found a baby pigeon yesterday in the indoor riding ring were I ride.(around 20 or 21 days old) We could not get it back to the nest(up to high) and if I leave it it would be eaten by the cats or run over by horses. Well he or she is living in my garage that is heated in a cage with a heat lamp. I am using this site to help me through this but I still have some questions. I am not sure if I am getting his crop full or not and I am very afraid of hurting him. I feel like I am force feeding. He seems very healthy as of now and I would like to keep it that way. I am feeding baby cereal righ now but plan on going to get baby bird formula today. Any suggestions? I want to do what is right by the little guy and set him free when I can.

[Pigeonrh]

Hi,
If it is about 20 days old you can just keep putting the seeds in it's mouth and it should swallow them, in a few days put some seed in a bowl and put it with the bird it should start picking at it real soon...

Later,

[bigbird]

YOU WROTE: I am not sure if I am getting his crop full or not and I am very afraid of hurting him. I feel like I am force feeding.
He seems very healthy as of now and I would like to keep it that way. I am feeding baby cereal righ now but plan on going to get baby bird formula today. Any suggestions? I want to do what is right by the little guy and set him free when I can.
YES, FORCE FEEDING IS ABOUT THE ONLY WAY UNTIL YOUR BIRD BEGINS TO SELF FEED.
CERIAL WILL WORK, BUT IF YOU GET SOME PIGEON FEED FROM THE FEED STORE, SOAK OVERNIGHT TO SOFTEN (STORE IN THE REFRIG.) THEN HAND FEED THIS WILL GIVE IT MORE NUTRITION. PLACE SOME DRY SEED IN THE CAGE BETWEEN FEEDINGS (ABOUT EVERY 4 HOURS DURING THE DAY) AND SOONER OR LATER THE LITTLE GUY WILL BEGIN TO PECK AT IT. ONCE YOU SEE HIM EAT HIS FIRST SEED, YOU CAN THEN TRUST HIM TO LEARN SELF FEEDING.
DON'T FORGET FRESH WATER, SOME RED OR GREY PIGEON GRIT, AND LET HIM TAKE A BATH EVERY 4 OR 5 DAYS IN A SHALLOW PAN.

STAY IN TOUCH, LET US KNOW HOW THINS ARE GOING.
REGARDS,
CARL

[raynjudy]

God Bless You!

Check your email...

PIGEONS FOREVER!!!

--Ray

[Pigwigon]

Thank you for the information, unfortunately my little guy did not make it. I went to feed him again around 10:00 this morning and noticed he was not doing as well as he was earlier. My husband and I made an hour trip to a wildlife rescue place after calling to see if they could take him. We lost him on the way. They tried to get him back when we got there with him with no success. My heart sank. Wish I had taken him when he was doing ok this morning.

You know, I don't even care for pigeons. They seem to sit up in the rafters in the indoor riding ring when I ride my horse and try to poop on you. I never wished one dead, but I sure would like it if they all went to another barn. This little guy (By the way I named him Pig) will have a special place in my heart. I could not leave him to the cats or to be run over by one the horses.

Thanks again and I promise to look at pigeons with a new found respect.

[raynjudy]

Okay.

You know, perhaps nothing that is is unimportant--to someone.

You were there. You made a difference. And the last this little on knew is kindness.

I'm pleased to share a planet with you.

PIGEONS FOREVER!!!

--Ray

PS. Judy has trained thirteen blue ribbon horses. Me, I like motorcycles--they go where I want them to!