Found a baby pigeon, please help.

[biophiliac]

Like grains of oats? That's good. How are you feeding them?

 

[LemmysCoop]

Well I saw in a video if you just gently hold the lower beak the bird should open it's mouth on its own..he didnt. At first I nudged the oat into the side of his mouth until it slipped in but he'd always toss it away. Then I began to try holding the sides of his mouth (not covering the nostrils) to get him to open and insert a small portion of food. He still tosses the oat bit away or worms his way out so each time I feed him I only get.. maybe 2 whole oats mixed with chia seed in? Its very ineffective for him and me and I was hoping he might take to another way? Again he never opens his mouth (and from what I've seen it is pink/red, no yellow) not even when he peeps.

 

[biophiliac]

Well I saw in a video if you just gently hold the lower beak the bird should open it's mouth on its own..he didnt. At first I nudged the oat into the side of his mouth until it slipped in but he'd always toss it away. Then I began to try holding the sides of his mouth (not covering the nostrils) to get him to open and insert a small portion of food. He still tosses the oat bit away or worms his way out so each time I feed him I only get.. maybe 2 whole oats mixed with chia seed in? Its very ineffective for him and me and I was hoping he might take to another way? Again he never opens his mouth (and from what I've seen it is pink/red, no yellow) not even when he peeps.

It doesn't sound like he is getting enough that way. I held my bird on my lap and put my left palm behind his head reaching around front with my fingers to open his beak. With the other hand I grab the pea and put it in the back of his mouth and close the beak - he will swallow. Do this repeatedly til he takes about 30 peas or his crop is full. With practice you can give 2 peas at a time, or even 3.
It could work better for you to have someone hold the bird and you use two hands to feed him.

edit to add - be firm but gentle, he will squirm at first. Don't worry too much about covering the nostrils, I dont think you will suffocate him.

 

[biophiliac]

Thank you for helping this little guy. I think you are correct about his approximate age of 3 weeks. He should only need hand feeding for a week maybe.

 

[biophiliac]

ps Instead of holding the lower beak, I pull the upper part of the beak upwards to open.

 

[LemmysCoop]

thank you..I'm the only one willing to take care of the bird at the moment so it's a bit tricky when feeding him. I'll try this his next meal.

 

[Kiki]

thank you..I'm the only one willing to take care of the bird at the moment so it's a bit tricky when feeding him. I'll try this his next meal.

Is he not pecking at the oats himself at all?

 

[LemmysCoop]

Great news! He had just begun pecking the oats himself..I stopped the pinch beak as he seems to graze as he pleases. So far he seems to be trusting me a lot more, he's starting pecking food out of my fingers and even follows to pieces when I point at them! He still is drinking and is very energetic..he knocked over the towel over his tub and I found him perched on the lip of the tub. I am not too sure if it is normal since he's molting into adult feathers but he had begun itching(?) at his wings, tail, and back/neck. Also he's beginning to make a bit of a mess on himself. Should I give him a bird bath? If so do I dry him off afterwards or just let him sort that out?

 

[biophiliac]

Yes that is good news! Sounds like he is bonding with you. At that age they are at their most trusting and friendly. Normal for him to do a lot of preening as adult feathers come in encased in shafts that flake off as feathers unfold.

I haven't seen birds that young take a bath or need one. What sort of 'mess' are you seeing?

If you don't have grit find him some clean dirt with tiny stones in it...

 

[LemmysCoop]

Alright I'll find some dirt. By messy I mean that I checked his tail feathers and found some feces clinging onto the feathers near his rectum. Will he clean this off himself or does he actually need a bath?
Also I'm not too sure how to check his crop but he seems full most of the time? I don't know how that's really possibly unless he is actually pecking at the oats I left in his tub (which I doubt). But he is excreting still, and a normal amount I believe.