REARING BABY PIGEONS

REARING BABY PIGEONS

Most importantly, keep any orphaned

babies you may find warm, using artificial

heat if necessary. If the squab is completely

without feathers (only has yellow down), a

ventilated box containing a red light bulb is

 needed, (hot water bottles do not last through

 the night.) Ring a bird rescue centre as soon as

 possible. If the baby is fledged, then a cardboard

box lined with kitchen paper in an airing cupboard

 is adequate. If you want to rear the bird

 yourself it is best to feed it 3-4 times a day.

 Acceptable foods include a mixture fed

through a syringe, wholemeal bread soaked

 in warm water or milk, canary rearing mix

 from pet shops or a mash of warm porridge

 or digestive biscuit with a little scrambled

or boiled free-range egg (about a third of an

egg at first, increasing to half an egg per day).

Unlike garden birds who gape when hungry,

 it is necessary for the squab's beak to be gently

 opened to receive tiny pellets of food that

 should be pushed into the back of the throat.

Feed until the crop feels plump or the bird

 loses interest. Food can be moistened, but

 do not squirt water into the mouth as baby

 birds can choke or actually drown this way.

 Small seeds like millet can be added gradually

 until the youngster begins to feed itself. When

the squab is old enough to begin to peck at seeds,

 provide a shallow dish of water and cage bird grit.

Once it is well feathered (appearing last under

the wings), keep the youngster outside in some

 sort of cage safe from cats during the daytime.

This will get it used to other birds: encourage

 it to pick up it's own seeds and grains and gain

 beneficial sunlight. Ideally it should spend some

 time in a rehabilitation aviary. but if this is not

 possible, do ensure the bird can fly properly and

eat by itself before release, allowing it to strengthen

 and try it's wings in a bedroom or garage.

When you are satisfied that it is able to fend for itself, let it go in fine weather in a safe area, perhaps a town or city park. well away from cats where it can join a regularly fed existing flock who have all year round access to water.

All baby birds are frail. Please do not blame yourself if the little one dies, even after initial success. Any period of cold weakens their ability to thrive, and infant mortality in nature is always high.