Baby Rainbow Update

[Jazicat]

He never had very many but I was surprised that they were so quick to go. He still has a few on his head and at the ends of some feathers. I have to say that no matter what he looks like he's beautiful to me. I'm amazed watching him grow and am glad we can keep him.

[BirdDogg10]

I had no idea that egg was fake, sure looked real to me!

[Jazicat]

Hopefully no new eggs for a while. I would hate for the moms to start nesting before Rainbow has fledged.

I have noticed that the moms aren't as interested in taking care of the baby during the day. Many times I check Rainbow and he's in the nest and moms are resting outside the cage. So far I've never found him with an empty crop but it's also not as full as usual. Do I need to worry about them abandoning the baby since this is when papa usually takes over?

[Jazicat]

Rainbow is doing great and yesterday the moms decided they could share taking care of him. I think this is partly because he is so big that he won't let them step on him. We watched them very closely and there has been no problems. I worried a little because they left him alone in the nest yesterday but they never let his crop get totally empty. It was also very warm so that there was no chance of Rainbow getting cold. Papa Rob has no idea the baby is his and would like to start a new family already .

My biggest question is whether king pigeons have fewer feathers than others. Papa Rob has always felt like he has fewer down feathers than the girls and baby Rainbow has lots of bald spots. He just doesn't look as feathered as other babies his age. His health seems perfect and his poops are always good.

I also wonder if there could be problems from breeding two different types of pigeon. I was looking at one of the girls next to Papa Rob and he's twice their size. I never intended to breed them because I know it's not desirable to mix breeds but Rainbow came anyway. I guess I just want to know if there are any potential health problems I should know about to better care for Rainbow.

Here's a few pictures of the baby from yesterday.




I forgot to say that Rainbow is two weeks old today.

[Lovebirds]

Originally Posted by Jazicat

Rainbow is doing great and yesterday the moms decided they could share taking care of him. I think this is partly because he is so big that he won't let them step on him. We watched them very closely and there has been no problems. I worried a little because they left him alone in the nest yesterday but they never let his crop get totally empty. It was also very warm so that there was no chance of Rainbow getting cold. Papa Rob has no idea the baby is his and would like to start a new family already .

My biggest question is whether king pigeons have fewer feathers than others. Papa Rob has always felt like he has fewer down feathers than the girls and baby Rainbow has lots of bald spots. He just doesn't look as feathered as other babies his age. His health seems perfect and his poops are always good.

I also wonder if there could be problems from breeding two different types of pigeon. I was looking at one of the girls next to Papa Rob and he's twice their size. I never intended to breed them because I know it's not desirable to mix breeds but Rainbow came anyway. I guess I just want to know if there are any potential health problems I should know about to better care for Rainbow.



I forgot to say that Rainbow is two weeks old today.

The baby looks pretty well feathered to me. I've seen them like that. As far as different breeds, I don't think it matters that much. Since the hens lay eggs and don't actually give birth, size shouldn't matter most of the time. I guess if a Figurita hen, for instance, has to feed a king baby, she might not be able to keep up at some point, but Dad should be able to take care of it. In the case of pigeons, don't think size matters.
Also, at two weeks old, all the parents are going to do is feed a few times a day. Other than that, they pretty much ignore the babies, or in your case baby. I know I always feel sorry for my single hatches, sitting alone all day. I probably pay them more attention than I do the pairs of babies.

[Trees Gray]

Hi Jazicat,

Rainbow is absolutely gorgeous and so content looking.

FYI, I went ahead and moved your latest post to the original "update" thread so it's less confusing. Everyone can get the history and compare the old and new pictures.

[TerriB]

What a cute grin on that sweet little baby! My King pigeon, Walter has very thick plumage, so I would be more likely to suspect something other than the breed. Mixing breeds wouldn't generally cause thinner or patchy plumage unless the genetics doubles up on a problem gene. Certain endocrine or hormone problems might cause something like this. Do the follicles look normal otherwise?

[Jazicat]

Papa's not involved in taking care of the babies because Rainbow has two bonded moms . If they abandon the baby then I will get to be papa. Rainbow gets lots of attention from me during the day and the girls were so cute sitting with him last night. It's funny watching Rainbow eat because when he stands up he seems almost as tall as they are. Sometimes they will stand on the edge of the nest to feed him.

One more picture because it's a favorite

[Jazicat]

His follicles look great as well everything else. I've never raised a baby pigeon, only starlings and sparrows, so I get a little nervous. All of you know so much that I decided to ask.

Thanks for moving the post

[Jazicat]

I was also wondering if the color of his feathers now are going to be the same as when Rainbow get older. They aren't the same color as the moms and seem as brown as grey. It's a very cool color and I was hoping he'd keep it.

[Maggie-NC]

Well, I can see why that picture is your favorite. It is adorable with the moms and baby.

[Lovebirds]

Originally Posted by Jazicat

I was also wondering if the color of his feathers now are going to be the same as when Rainbow get older. They aren't the same color as the moms and seem as brown as grey. It's a very cool color and I was hoping he'd keep it.

Somtimes, colored birds will molt into another color. By colored, I mean any of them other than the basic Blue Bars, Checks, etc........
I have a bird that had Red, White and Blue feathers as a baby. Mostly white, then red and a few blue. Now that he's getting older, he getting more and more blue and the red is just about to disappear.

[mr squeaks]

Can't say for sure, but I don't think there is anything to worry about, Jazicat.

I also am not sure, but think that Rainbow is a spoiled baby? And will be a spoiled teen AND adult? Just an impression...

Keep those updates comin'...

As IF Rainbow is not getting enough...but just in case......LOVE/HUGS and SCRITCHES...

Shi and Squeaks

[Jazicat]

Thank you all. Rainbow is a little spoiled just like the rest of the flock . I will pass on the love hugs and scritches since no one can ever have enough of those .

[Margarret]

Jazicat,

Looks like you are doing everything just right. He is adorable and his feathers seem about right to me for two weeks. The only problem I can think of is that his moms might have difficulty covering him as he grows since he may be much larger due to his dad. Their legs may not be long enough when he gets older. Of course by then he will have all his feathers, or at least enough to keep him warm so if most of him sticks out from under mom it won't matter

Margarret.