Question:

Rearing a baby pigeon?

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I found a young pigeon on the way home from shopping today. It was just sitting on the ground in the rain making peeping noises. My dog sniffed it and it wasn't scared and it let me just pick it up, so I took it home. I originally thought it was a lost pet or something, but now I know that can't be true. It has no ring on it and it's got mites. It has poo on its feathers, and it must be young since it's beak looks undeveloped and it still has slightly bald patches where its feathers haven't quite grown. Do you know how old it is, and how I should care for it? I have a basic idea since I am an animal care student but I still need some advice. I'm attached to it now so don't want to let it go.

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  1. sorry, baby pigeons don't exist.

    neither do baby cats.

    oh, kittens. scratch that,


  2. http://pigeoncote.com/vet/feedbaby/feedb...

    This site will have all the directions you need to successfully rear the kid.  From what you say, the bird sounds to be about fifteen days old or so, -- in fact, it MAY be almost old enough for you to let it feed itself -- some hungry babies learn earlier than they normally would (most pigeons wean at about 35 days).  Make sure that the small seed is on the ground and not just in a dish - the roundness sets off the peck instinct.  Make sure that water is available, you may have to dip his beak into it -- pigeons drink by suction so make sure the container is at least an inch or so deep.

    If you have to hand feed and don't have tubing or other supplies, you can use peas, corn, wheat, barley, milo and some source of calcium (Tums or some calcium pills or pigeon grit with oyster shell, etc.)  

    Gently pinch the sides of the beak and it will pop his beak open.  Just make sure the grain goes past the opening in the bottom of his mouth (which goes to the lungs, etc) and into his throat.  You'll feel it settle into his crop and then after fillin him about 1/2 way get some water into him.

    You might also want to contact the folks at pigeons.biz -- there's a forum there where a lot of folks have raised ferals and they have a lot of experience.

  3. it is not a household pet and you have no business keeping it.  try and find a wildlife rehabber in your area to take care of it properly.  if you are truly an animal care student, here is your first lesson:  leave wildlife alone.

  4. Wild baby birds are incredibly difficult to take care of. If you don't do one of the following it will die.

    1. find the nest and put it back.

    2. If you can't find and/or can't reach the nest, look in the phone book for a wildlife center. Ask them what to do.

    People will tell you lots of silly things on this site: feed it bananas, mash up worms, get baby food, etc. Please don't listen. Just let professionals handle this.
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