Stimulating a sick pigeon to eat

Moreta and My Little Angel are both very ill, in separate "hospital" cages that are pressed up against the aviry so they can see other pigeons. One of the problems I have with My Little Angel is that she won't allow me to gavage or to seed pop...as soon as I open her mouth she deliberately starts to regurgitate, risking aspiration...so I have to back off.

Last night, John and I were talking about how seeing another pigeon eat will stimulate sick ones to eat.

Today I put it to the test. I prepared delicious dishes of food for Moreta and My Little Angel:They were offered treat mix, peanuts, hemp, and sunflowerhearts and placed them in their cages. They glanced at them with indifference. Then I went to get the peanuts and tossed handfuls into and around the feeding trays in the extension, which Moreta and Little Angel overlook. The pigeons came runnning and flying, great excitement...as they saw them start to eat Moreta and My Little Angel rushed to their own food dishes and started tucking in. They kept their eating up for quite a while.

Later on, I will give the pigeons some hemp, hopefully this will once again stimulate the two sick ones to feed themselves again.

Cynthia

Looks like the test worked, Cynthia.

Will 'Think Good Thoughts' that the eating continues, your little ones get their crops nice and full and they begin to feel better REAL soon.

Please keep us posted.

Cindy

I've seen when one of my birds is eating another would rush over and try to grab what they have, even when I know they're not hungry. Sometimes it turns into a game of "Hey! That's my seed! No, that's MY seed"

I'm happy it stimulated your patients to eat. Are they still eating?

Yes, they are both eating. I am supplementing Moreta with Poly Aid, but I can't do that with My Little Angel, although I am managing to get her medication (septrim) in as it is only 0.1 ml at a time...even that leaves her closing her eyes and opening her beak , which is very frightening.

Cynthia