How do Wean a Baby Pigeon... What method do You use?

This is the medthod I use...

Often the young birds will try to eat the seed and so folks assume they are eating when they really aren't. This is waht I suggest until you are sure.

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. I f 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. With babies that have been hand raised, this won't be necessary. Gently open the beak and pop the piece of corn and peas at the back of the mouth and over the throat. You will need to feed 40-50 per feeding and every time the bird’s crop empties until you know it is eating on their own.
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. The next step… seeds.
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.
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Bumping this thread up as I think it an important topic.

I have made it a sticky.

how do you know when to change the baby pigeons feed? I have been away and a friend has been looking after my baby pigeon. i have been feeding it on seed and chick feed. does it need water and it isn't feeding on its own how long should I be feeding it? she looks good but missing some feathers on its neck. kathy

kdelafosse wrote:

how do you know when to change the baby pigeons feed? I have been away and a friend has been looking after my baby pigeon. i have been feeding it on seed and chick feed. does it need water and it isn't feeding on its own how long should I be feeding it? she looks good but missing some feathers on its neck. kathy

How old is the baby? It does need water.

Think me silly but how do you manage to give it water?

I think my baby pigeon is about 4 wks old now?

kdelafosse wrote:

I think my baby pigeon is about 4 wks old now?

Kathy...you can wean your baby this way...

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. I f 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. You will need to feed 40-50 per feeding and every time the bird’s crop empties until you know it is eating on their own.
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. The next step… seeds.
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.
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Hi Kathy,

For water, fill something cup shaped that won't tip over with water and gently place his beak in it without covering the nostrils. If he is thirsty he should start drinking. Leave the water with him so that he can go back to it if he needs to.

While you were away Wendy (Little Fledgeling) joined, she has also hand raised a woodie and was weaning it. This is the thread about weaning that she started, I thought that the two of you might share experiences as you have both hand reared orphaned woodies, just click on the link below:

Wendy's woodie, Tweaty


Cynthia