PLEASE HELP!

[ShreddedTweet]

I've had a (I'm guessing feral) pigoen egg now for 48 hours, the chick is now half hatched and is taking a long time to do so. How long does it take for a chick to hatch? I'm also worrid that it may be premature as when I got it, it did have a pip and I could feel it moving, but it stopped tapping and I peeled away the pip area to see if it was still alive, it was and still is, since then it has been slowly hatching and I am unsure what to do as this is my first time I've ever done this, PLEASE HELP as we both need someone to give us a little advice...

[AZWhitefeather]

Hello & Welcome,
Unfortunately, I lack experience with egg hatching, however I wanted to at least acknowledge your post & assure you other members experienced in this area will be along shortly.

Please keep us posted.
Cindy



[This message has been edited by AZWhitefeather (edited May 24, 2004).]

[dano7]

If there is a large hole, drying membrane and loud sqeaking, then you assist.

Within a few hours start feeding;

Food and feeding frequency depend on the age - for the first three days: 93% - 95% water and 5% - 7% solids. Use dry dog chow crushed into a very fine powder and mixed with warm water. For older chicks to weaning age: 75% - 80% water and 20% - 25% solids. The feed can be thickened more by about three weeks. By about 10 days pij can eat about 120 cc's/day (about 8 tablespoons). You want to fill the crop at each feeding (crop is below the neck - an expanded extension of the esophagus - it's full when it feels like a bean bag but not too tight) and make sure the crop empties by the next feeding.

In the beginning the chick will need to eat about every two hours - but it will not eat much. As mentioned, around ten days the amount will increase to to about 20 cc's (8 tablespoons) and the feedings occur about four times a day. Make sure and feed in the early morning and before bed.

For the first days you may get better control feeding with a pipette or dropper. After a few days you can use a plastic syringe (no needle), spoon (small with a curve bent-in is good), or a baggy with a small hole cut in one corner. If the bird is cranky then wrap it gently in a towel with just the head sticking up - it will calm down and so will you, and you can take your time.

You may introduce wild bird seed to the mix around two weeks if you spoon feed, and you can put some seed down and peck at it with your finger (your daddy now!) to stimulate the weaning process. Dip the beak in a water container that is secured in the corner to introduce the drinking instinct.

[Trees Gray]

Is this your first peeper? I have assisted in hatching a little one, be very careful when removing the shell.

Dano has given you excellent advice,
However:

The first and best thing to do, would be try to find parent pigeons with one new baby. There is nothing better than having pigeons to raise a newly hatched chick, especially if it premature. Do you know anyone who has pigeons, and wouldn't mind step parenting with their pijjies? They have all the equipment, and will simplify your life..

It is a very serious undertaking, tedious, time consuming thing, to do, even with lots of experience.

Treesa

[ShreddedTweet]

Yay it's hatched, thankyou for your help and support, it is beautiful. Unfortunately I don't know anyone who has pigeons but for some unknown reason I've naturally done all of these things so far! We are very grateful for your help and I'm sure I'll probably still need it because I really want to help this little one live, it was rescued from a smelly end in a bin because it was classed as unhygenic by my boss at the cafe I work in and so they were going to get rid of it. One question though, how can you tell the sex of it?
xxx Holly xxx

[ShreddedTweet]

Also, WHAT HAPPENS AT NIGHT TIME? DO I STILL NEED TO FEED EVERY 2 HOURS? I'm going to try every 3 tonight and see what happens, 1:I know that each sleep cycle of a human is 1.5 hours so I can't wake in the middle of a cycle and 2:little pij isn't too hungry, it only eats what it wants and then turns it's head away, it's pretty full now and hasn't passed it through yet, so off to bed now, hope it works! Also please tell me bout how to tell the sex of it, I NEED TO NAME MY BABY haha, thanks!
xxx Holly xxx

[ShreddedTweet]

Oh and (sorry for being a pain) where can you get baby bird formula from?
xxx Holly xxx

[dano7]

You get baby bird formula from a pet shop, or use human baby formula, or dried dog food mixed or soaked to the right consistency. But the first meal should be a watery solution of warm water and an electrolyte solution (pedialyte or Infalyte/Ensure Plus, 50/50). The first feeding may be as little as .1 or .2 cc's and you gradually stretch the crop from there and go with the feeding regimen in the earlier post.

It won't eat much but it will be very eager to eat when it is hungry - this bird may not be in such good shape so it needs to be monitored closely tonight. Keep the chick warm - 90 degrees (use a lamp or a heating pad under a towel and test the temperature at chick level). Chilled babies will often refuse to eat. Use wood shavings on top of tissue paper in the bottom of a small bowl for a home now. By lightly tapping the upper beak with the feeding spoon, or by carefully stretching the neck up (you will then have a clear view of the birds crop), you will encourage the bird to open it's mouth - assist the 1 - 3 day old chicks by holding the head between your fingers. The best position for the feeding tool is the left of the baby's beak angled down to the right - avoid the windpipe. When the baby stops bobbing it's head and the crop is full it is done. Place tissues to support it's head afterward.


You can't sex it yet, you have to wait to watch the behavior and observe the secondary sex characteristics (as best as we understand them). If you are in a hurry you still have to wait until you can get 5 feathers to send to a company that will tell you for $25 http://www.avianbiotech.com/Pricing.htm.

But this is nonsense - you shouldn't take even 5 feathers from this youngster and you should learn to observe and make the call yourself. You can use any name regardless of sex or use a name that works either way.
keep in touch.



[This message has been edited by dano7 (edited May 24, 2004).]

[ShreddedTweet]

Thanks! Baby and I are still well, and all the advice is very useful, (thanks dano7 for the last piece!) I'm enjoying every moment of this new experience! I'm glad that I had the chance to save this little one, and I'll make you all it's god-parents as I couldn't have done it without you either! Thanks again!
xxx Holly xxx