Welcome Karen.
Everyone....Kreyes...Karen...is a dear friend of mine. Currently she is on vacation in Mexico.
She called me yesterday because she has a baby Pigeon in her care. The baby was found during demolition of a bulilding there.
From Karen's description, it sound like the baby is about 10 days old. I gave her verbal instructions to feed the baby defrosted corn and peas every time the crop empties.
The connection we had over the phone was not the best and I had a difficult time hearing Karen and so I don't know how well she heard me. I also emailed her the information via her work email address.
The point of telling you all of this is to ask you to monitor the site and answer Karens questions should she have some. My computer will be undergoing maintenance for a while and so if you need to reach me, give me a call.
This is the email I sent Karen...
You can hand feed defrosted corn and peas. Run some hot water over them until they are defrosted and slightly warmed. Put the bird on your lap and hold it next to your body. If it helps, you can wrap a towel around it or put it in the sleeve of a tee shirt, with the head out the wrist. That confines them without hurting them and makes it easier to handle. Gently open the beak and pop the piece of corn and peas at the back of the mouth and over the throat.
If he is wrapped in towel he won’t be able to struggle much and it will make it easier to get the beak open. You will need to feed 30-50 per feeding and every time the bird’s crop empties until you know it is eating on their own. The amount of peas and corn are dependent on the baby’s age size. As the baby grows, he will eat more. Often, the baby pigeons begin to pick the peas and corn up on their own after a couple of feedings.
This is a wonderful method for teaching babies to eat because they feel the whole food in their mouth and it’s soft and easy to pick up and hang on to. Once the baby has been eating the peas and corn on his own for a week, seed can be introduced.
The crop is located right below the throat and with food it fills up like a little balloon. The peas and corn make it lumpy and squishy.
The baby will need water. You can try to dip the tip of the beak in water to see if he will drink on his own. I do this by gently pushing the back of the head until the beak touches the water. Play with the water with your fingers to get him curious. If he doesn’t drink the first time, don’t force the issue but try again the next day and keep trying until he figures it out.
I the baby won’t drink on his own, he will need to be given water with an eye dropper or syringe. Probably 4-5 cc’s at after each feeding.
Wed Mar 10, 2010 10:52 am