Quick Young Pigeon Question!

138 Views 4 Replies 2 Participants Last post by Marina B, 9 d ago

flamekeeper

Discussion Starter · 9 d ago

Hi folks! For background, this is the spawn of two wild pigeons that have made their nest on my balcony. They're not pets but I've been trying to support their safety and health best I can.

Today, I went for my daily check of the nest and found it empty! Further investigation led to me finding the young one under a different chair on our balcony than the one their nest is under. I watched the little one move around a bit on it's own, mostly dragging itself with its feet. My question was (for anyone who keeps pigeons often, or just knows this information): is it normal for them to be moving by dragging themselves instead of standing and walking at this age? Perhaps the body weight is too much for legs that haven't fully developed? Or is this something I should be concerned about? Some pictures attached.

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Marina B

· #2 · 9 d ago

Oh no. That baby has severe splayed leg. It happens when they hatch on a too slippery surface and lack of vitamins. He won't be able to survive like that. When still young, one can fix this problem by bringing the legs together and keep in place with a rubber band. He might be too old for this as the sockets grow in the direction of the legs. Only an operation can fix this.

Are you up to caring for him for the rest of his life or get him adopted? A rescue centre will euthanize him.

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flamekeeper

Discussion Starter · #3 · 9 d ago

Marina B said:
Oh no. That baby has severe splayed leg. It happens when they hatch on a too slippery surface and lack of vitamins. He won't be able to survive like that. When still young, one can fix this problem by bringing the legs together and keep in place with a rubber band. He might be too old for this as the sockets grow in the direction of the legs. Only an operation can fix this.

Are you up to caring for him for the rest of his life or get him adopted? A rescue centre will euthanize him.

I'm looking into it now and trying to figure out what to do. From the brief research I'm doing it seems this would be well past the age the splayed legs would be correctible. The parents are still around so I'm scared about taking the young one inside and away from mom and dad, but I'm not opposed to caring for it and/or trying to find someone else to adopt. Would calling around to local wildlife bird rescue centers and seeing if any of them would have advice or resources other than euthanasia be useful at all? I just am very much a beginner and have no idea how I'd even begin to care for this bird

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Marina B

· #4 · 9 d ago

I think taking him in now might be the best thing. He is young enough to become tame and that is what you want. He is almost ready to start eating seeds. The parents will eventually stop feeding him. Can you get a handraising formula for baby parrots from a petshop? I can tell you exactly how to feed him.

You can give the legs a try. But don't force them together, only a little bit. Every week you can bring them closer together. Above is how splayed legs get fixed.

I guess you can't take him to an avian vet for an x-ray?

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Marina B

· #5 · 9 d ago

Are you on FB? If so, join the Palomacy Help Group for pigeon and dove rescue. I think there's a group on FB for Canada as well, can't remember the name. But members will advise you to take him to a rescue centre.

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