It's more likely a non parent pigeon did this. Pigeons can be pretty nasty to a baby or squab that is not their baby. They typically leave them alone if the baby is in its own nest box. Bullying and wounds typically happen when the squab fledges the nest, and this bird here looks way to young...
Pigeons and chickens don't go well together as a general rule, but there are of course always exceptions. I've heard of folks who integrate them just fine, but I've heard of way more with the opposite experience, most of which result in pigeons getting killed.
Not trying to discourage you...
I can't think of a single bird that don't make a mess indoors and stink up a room, and pigeons are no exception.
But there are a few characteristics that make them arguably more indoor worthy than other birds. One, they have solid poops that are more like chicken poop, it's not a watery mess...
x2 on what Qwerty said on the head flailing. They do that when hungry. Totally normal.
I had to raise a newborn by hand last summer when it's mom didn't come home from loft flying the day it was born. I used Kaytee Exact and fed it through a syringe by gently prying its mouth open and...
Don't beat yourself up too much over it, you did your best with the best of intentions, with very little resources and knowledge on pigeons. It was a wild/feral bird that would have without a doubt not survived without your intervention anyways. You simply did your best, and I would be at...
I wouldn't worry too much, I'd just keep feeding and taking care of him, but that is definitely behind on growth. It sounded to me that you were trying to feed it the Kaytee Exact by using the method of a glove or other latex type of material that would require the bird to actively place its...
I can tell you that a baby pigeon not gaining weight is definitely not normal. They usually gain weight and grow shockingly fast. So keep an eye on things like that. The crop thing, I wouldn't worry too much, I handle the baby pigeons being raised inside my loft almost daily, and it's rare...
Dozens of baby pigeons have been born in my loft, raised by their parents, and they are eating all day long, and feed when their crops are half full, and sometimes even full.
Is there any chance you are over thinking this whole thing? I'm not trying to discount a potential health issue that...
Pigeons will do all of what you explained here, they just on average don't love to be held and pet (there are exceptions though). I know chickens are smarter than they appear.... but pigeons are MUCH more intelligent, and are very trainable. Mine know how to open barrel bolt locks, and can...
You can try substituting a bit of the water you use to mix the Kaytee Exact with a small amount of organic apple cider vinegar. It treats and prevents canker very well, and I've read it can help with sour crop as well (but I have no experience with sour crop, FYI).
For the most part, not really. Even tame pigeons don't love to be handled a lot. There are always exceptions, but on average they are a bird that does not love to cuddle, at least compared to things like chickens, who if raised right can often really enjoy being on your lap and pet. I have...
Keep in mind males can sometimes get quite ornery without a mate. I've hand raised and also handled my young birds a lot, enough to the point where they're rather friendly, except a lot of my males, once they get to a mature age (past pigeon puberty) they go through a phase where they get...
There is a protein and fat content % that is optimal for pigeons, I forget what it is. I'm lucky enough to have a feed company close by that makes a dedicated pigeon blend (it's millet, buckwheat, flint corn, vetch peas and maple peas). You could prepare a mix like this on your own, but you'll...