I still have two mourning doves babies in a basket

Question

I did what most suggested and I still haven't seen mom. I put water in a lid and put their beaks in it, THEY DRANK! They've got to be hungry. Should I try to feed them something? If so, what? They just barely have their eyes open. Am I fighting a losing battle?

Answer 1

Did you watch continually at any point for the parents? Also, if you are too close the parents will not come as you would be considered a predator.   If not, you could be missing the parents visits. If you are sure there are no parents tending to them..they should be taken to a local wildlife rehab.

http://www.tc.umn.edu/~devo0028/contact....

Answer 2

dont give them water, theyre too young. they cant drink it on their own.

what you need to do is go to a feed store buy a bag or container of baby bird hand feeding formula. the best brand is Kaytee Exact.

read the directions on how to fix the food. make a VERY small amount. the babys are very young, and do not eat much.

get a latex rubber glove. cut off the smallest finger, then cut a very small slit in the finger tip, jut big enough to slip their little beaks in to. put the small amount of hand feeding formula in to the glove finger. hold the baby's head up, and slip the beak into the opening in the finger tip. it will begin to eat. doves and pigeons feed by reaching their beaks into their parents throats, and eating whats called "pigeon milk". the glove finger with the slit in the tip acts like a beak, and the baby will be more willing to eat. do not feed it with a syringe, as they easily choke because you shoot the food down the wrong pipe in their bodies.

i have hatched  hand raised a few baby morning doves and pigeons myself, so i kno this is one of the best ways to do it.

also, keep the babys in the basket, under a heat lamp. but be sure to not overheat them.

good luck!!!   hope they make it

Answer 3

Hi. I volenteer at an animal shelter, and they have lots of mourning doves.

you should

- give it a little room-temp or slightly warm milk (that's what we give the pigeons, and their the same family). Try to give it through a plastic sryinge.

- To eat, just give it regular bird seed. At the pet store they have seed specially made for birds like that and at normal stores (ie. Walmart), in the pet isle I've seen "Dove seed" which is made for doves.

Put them in a sohebox or dry aquarium, or a small cage if you have one. Put a soft towel or banket in for them, too.

You could give it to an animal shelter and they'd take care of it, if you want.

Hope this helps!