First Timer Baby Pigeon Raising - Won't Open Mouth

[Hokum Coco]

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[LyrebirdJacki]

Yes after they get about 2 weeks old they literally turn into little garbage cans and for the most part you are "Out of the woods!
To coin a phrase.

Well the youngest one died as I suspected, not sure if it was the bigger one smothering it (the bigger one seemed to use the other as a hot water bottle, was pretty flat when I found it dead) or the lack of pigeon milk plus taking a long time to hatch in comparison to the older. He seemed to never empty his crop either I'd noticed, it was still full from a previous feed still after 3 times (so within about 6-8 hours time from the initial feeding) when I went to feed them again while the other was always empty and ready for more. Seems like I've hit that never-ending garbage-can stage pretty early with this one....

The older one however has taken to food like a normal baby pigeon seems to, with a full crop and still shaking it's wings and neck squeaking for more. I have my hopes up for this little guy (regardless of what gender I have taken to calling it "Jonathan". I tend to give my birds people names) are pretty high for his survival but I won't be discouraged if he died like the other.

 

[Hokum Coco]

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[LyrebirdJacki]

It is not uncommon for the parents to loose one squab from a hatch especially if it is their fist clutch.
Johnathan's eyes should be opening soon.

You may find this link interesting LyrebirdJacki:

I like that video, it's amazing how quick they grow.

He has started opening his eyes as of last night, but didn't have them open all the time, he does now though. He's five days old so he is darkening up a bit little by little. I just get a little worried as he seems to try get out the container he is in and manages to flip onto his back sometimes. If I had a video camera I would do a video of feeding for everyone.

 

[Hokum Coco]

This is what I use for nest bowls (about 10 inches in diameter). Got them at the dollar store. It is a good idea to have two bowls per pair of birds. Parents lay another clutch of eggs after about 20 - 30 days. With what ever bedding is available (pine shavings or needles twigs grass hay ).

 

[Pigeon Power]

How goes the little one?

 

[LyrebirdJacki]

How goes the little one?

 

[LyrebirdJacki]

Does he appear to have splayed legs to anyone? I know how to fix them as I've had poultry get it, but for all I know this is normal with baby pigeons....he moves pretty well which makes me think twice about splayed legs.

 

[Pigeon Power]

Looks like his going to be dark! Might have splayed legs but I'm not really sure...yeah its looking a little troubling. Does he put them out like that after you tuck them back in?

 

[LyrebirdJacki]

Yeah they are sliding out. Just suited him up to fix the problem.

All of the pigeons the breeder had were typical rock pigeon coloured with a few pied patterns thrown in. So i have a feeling he will be quite grey.