Parents left babies

[Reti]

Hi,
I think I did a terrible thing,although my intentions where good.A pigeon couple came about 2-3 months ago and laid 2 sets of eggs in my plants.All babies died,I don't know why,the parents seem ok.Two weeks ago they had one more set of eggs which hatched 2 days ago.Since I had 2 hawk attacks a few months ago,and the hawks are still around,I bought two big cages(kennels).In one of them I keep Frankie and Gerri(my permant residents) and the babies they keep on having.They love their cage and have no problem going in and out through the tiny opening they have.Today I put the pot with mother and her two babies in the other cage,also put food and water and closed the door,I figured till she gets used to her new home.She was going crazy in there,eventually she quieted down.A couple of hours later I opened the door,she flew away and has not been back ever since(4 hours now).
Is she going to come back?
How long can the babies go without the parents?
Would Frankie and Gerri feed them if I put them in their cage,their babies are big now 4-5weeks old.
I feel terrible,I don't know what to do.
Reti

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[cyro51]

As you say, Reti, your intentions were good and we can't anticipate everything.

Have you put things back as they were? The father could be back even if the mother stays away.

My worry about trying to get Frankie and Gerri to feed them is that the other babies died and these might also be carrying salmonella or something, so whatever you do, keep them isolated from your own pigeons.

They will be needing food now so you might have to adopt and hand raise them. Others have successfuly adopted and raised babies that were abandoned by their parents. I am e-mailing you some information, these two links will also be useful:
http://members.aol.com/duiven/medical/feedbaby.htm
http://www.duckpolice.org/BirdWeb/Pi...igeoncare.html

Cynthia

[Reti]

Thank you Cynthia,for your reply,
I did put things back to where they were.The mother came back late,initially she ignored them,but I saw she did go into the nest eventually.The father was back also.I guess they fed them.Now,it's dark already and I checked again on them,the mother is sitting next to the pot but not in it like she used to,I can't recognize the father,because at night there are like 20 pigeons sleeping on my balcony,the babies are sleeping and breathing.I see what happens in the morning and let you know.And you are right I am going to keep them separated from Frankie and Gerri as they might be carrying some disease.
Thank you for your advise
Reti

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[Reti]

Now the mother is back full time.I tried again to put them in the cage and I got a few nice wing slaps,so i gave up.
I am still worried about the hawk.What can I do to protect them?In the past year I had 4 babies taken by haws.I can't stand to loose another one.

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