Wild baby pigeon found!! Need Help!

[juan teo]

Well today I went out to my cousins place to feed and care for her animals while she was away and while out watering the horses I noticed the dog was after something in the shelter. After investigating, I found it to be a young pigeon! I caught her/him and looked her over closely to find her wing broken. It seems to have been that way for awhile as its got quite a bony growth to the point of the wing. Other than that she seems just fine and in good health. I have had other birds but NEVER a pigeon....now it looks like one has fallen into my lap. I'm more than willing to care for her, I've even got an large old cage that I dug out of storage for her. But..... What do I feed her? exactly? Bird seed? or is there specific care instructions for pigeons? How can I go about making her more comfortable in her new surrounding? Any advice would be greatly appreciated!! I'll check back here later tonight!! I'm off to get some whole wheat bread.......maybe she'll enjoy that!

[TAWhatley]

Hi Juan and welcome to pigeons.com! Thank you for saving this injured youngster. If you will click on the Resources link at the top of the page here at pigeons.com and then on the link to Basic Care, you should find the information you need.

If the bird is completely feathered with no little fuzzy yellow "hairs" remaining, it is most likely old enough to eat and drink on its own. If that is the case, you can offer fresh water, wild bird seed, or pigeon mix. If it is too young to know how to eat and drink on it's own, you will need to help out. Let us know.

Good luck with the bird and thanks again for caring!

Terry

[Snowbird]

Good job and you have the skill set and temperament for this, so good choice by the pigeon as well.

Especially if the bird is thin or otherwise stressed, which is probably the case, please provide a very warm, safe, quiet place initially. You can place a heating pad (low setting) under a towel for the youngster, or use a down vest instead. If your bird is not active, an electrolyte solution comes next (1 quart boiling water, 2 tablespoons sugar, 1/2-1 teaspoon salt, mix to solution, cool until just lukewarm and give to the bird in an eye dropper, plastic tipped syringe, whatever you are comfortable with.

When the bird shows some energy, then you can feed it a wild bird seed and a bit of soaked to moistened dry dog food will help it catch up on protein. Food is given by hand, by spoon, by the syringe, by a baggie with a small whole cut in it so the bird can stick the beak in (like they are fed by the adults). If the bird is too feisty then gently wrap the youngster in a towel until the head just sticks up and relax into the feeding.

The wing is critical if the bird is to be released and it is not good that the fracture is so prominent. Normally it is recommended that you place the bird's wings in the correct position and take vet tape (the kind that sticks to itself but not to the feathers), and simply wrap around the long feathers (primaries) at the tail--you wrap around the ends of the wings and the base of the tail--tight enough to stay in place but not too tight--this tape is very forgiving in that regard.

An idea of pigeon nutrition may be premature but: the heart of the pigeon diet is a seed mix which has known and generally accepted proportions. A ballpark guideline is 11-17% protein and 4-11% fat. Possible items, but not all of the possible items in the mixes are Popcorn (not popped), Trapper peas, R/C Wheat, Maple Peas, Buffalo Peas, Safflower seeds, Austrian Peas, Oat Groats, vetch, Paddy Rice, Small Yellow Corn, R/C Red and White Milo, Red Prosso Millet, Flax Seed, Malt Barley, Common Lentils, Buckwheat, Small Black Oil Sunflower, and a very few peanuts (raw/unsalted).

Other must have essentials are greens/carrots and an avian vitamin everyday (if they don’t eat greens keep giving them and eventually they will—use an electric dicer to get this food bite sized for pigeons). People in this forum like Prime vitamin which goes in the water and has a probiotic. When they get around nine months old they will start to show an interest in a good multi-element grit but they should have this available at all times.

Though the following are not necessary everyday, they are also essential to optimum health, so once you get these basics down, other things people use are various forms of garlic, brewers yeast, various oils (fish, cod liver, olive, etc.), various teas, Apple Cider Vinegar (Tsp per gallon in the water), electrolytes, bits of animal protein (mash a pinch of dried dog food and mix with the seed), good soil/clay, prebiotics, and other supplements.

While we are at it, most people medicate for canker and worms, some vaccinate for pox and PMV depending on the frequency in your area. You will get quality meds online from Jedds, Foy’s, Siegels, Global Pigeon Supplies, or the Australian Pigeon Company. Meds from pet stores are often inadequate and getting them from the vet will be expensive.

Keep in touch

[juan teo]

Thank you for your replies! This morning the pigeon was eating and drinking well, she even tried to have bath in her water dish! Gotta get her a bigger one! I've gotten some pigeon food and she seems quite content. I've taken her out of the cage for closer examination and it seems her wing is quite well healed, just healed the wrong way. The break seems very calcified. I'm more than willing to give her a home with me, I was just thinking about getting another bird. My last one was a budgie who live to the ripe old age of 14. Is there any way I can attach a picture of her?~~~never mind......lol. I figured it out.

[maryco]

You have done a wonderful job with the pij
And so glad to hear that you can give him a home with you, did you give him a name yet?

And yes, once or twice a week put out a shallow pan and let him have a bath, pigeons love baths (I use an old shower curtain down on the floor to protect the hardwood and it's easy to clean up that way too)

If you have any pigeon care questions just ask away

[Reti]

What a cute little guy.
Thank you for taking him in and giving him a home.
Pigeons are great pets. i am sure you will enjoy his company.

Reti

[Snowbird]

She's a good looking young bird.

That's great that you are willing and able to give her a home. Since she is in secure hands for the future can we take a look at that wing?

From what you have said so far, the status of that wing is not clear and there might be something that would help her gain a greater functionality--she is young and though the trauma has set, she may be able to get a higher degree of rehabilitation with the right physical therapy.

If you could gently open the good wing to full extension and note the position of all the bones relative to the the others and to the body, and do the same to the injured wing, if she does not find this painful--she will not make a noise but she will flinch if it hurts--then post the results, it might lead to something.

[juan teo]

I will try to get a pic of the bird's wing for you soon! She's seems to be doing well again today, came out of the cage on my fingers today, had a good look around the place, which I think she enjoyed.......lol. Maybe one day she'll sit on my shoulder.....do they do that? I know my Budgie did.

[AZWhitefeather]

Hello Juan,
What a beautiful pij you have there.
It sounds like she has become quite comfortable & trusting around you. It's not too often that a recently rescued pigeon will step right onto a human's hand.

Maybe one day she'll sit on my shoulder.....do they do that?
Yes indeed. And when they want to get a real 'birds eye view', they may 'hitch' a ride on top of your head.

Please keep us posted.

Cindy