Appearing fluffed up or droopy, having watery green droppings are some common signs of illness.
The Salmonella genus that can affect doves. using sulpha drugs with the manufacturers dosage regimens for upto 2 weeks or more in feed /water can help provision of clean water is a priority ,also left out food should be discarded as it potentiates fungal growth and aspergillosis and toxins accumulation in birds and injurious to liver and/kidneys
a dove that looks and acts sick, first thing to do is isolate it and put it under a heat source -40 w bulb. Heat is vital for a sick dove.also supplementation with brewers yeast or /vitamin B complex along with vitamin A and E with trace mineral s helps in correcting defeciency disorders .
If it is not eating, feed it hand-feeding formula
Most doves are seedeaters.. Seedeaters can be fed finch mix, cockatiel mix, wild bird seed, and semisoft dog food and a tablespoon is put on the seed daily 1 teaspoon for less than four doves, As a special treat, doves like leafy vegetables, broccoli, cut up apples/grapes/strawberries, mashed hard boiled eggs, and mealworms occasionally. Fresh water and grit should always be provided. calcium should be provided along a s a supplemental dose /calcium sandoz tableds pulverised and added to feed /seed
Most doves will soon eat vegetables and fruit with zeal and enthusiasmand
take it to an nearest avian veterinarian if its still lethargic for blood profile and other oocysts/internal parasites.
You can check for mites by lifting feathers and dust them if you find any. I use ivermec on mine it works external & internal along with DE in the feed.
I hope this helps.
When trying to find info I dont know I an across this...
Loss of a Mate:
I have seen more than one dove grieving the loss of a mate. One such male dove pulled out all of his feathers, except for his head where he could not reach. He looked like a naked chicken ready to roast. I had to make sock outfits to keep him warm until his feathers grew back. It was not until I found a new companion that was to his liking that he stopped pulling out his feathers, began normal preening to impress the new female and regrew his entire covering of feathers.
Another male stopped eating when his mate died and had to be forced to eat by hand feeding baby bird slurry until a replacement could be found. He just sat in one spot on the perch, fluffed up and depressed refusing to eat, preen or function at all. I found it helpful to hold and pet him for several hours each day after his mate died. He would sleep wrapped in a towel where he could be with me. It seemed to help until his new mate arrived. A dove can die in just a few days by refusing to eat or drink, so it is important to intervene if you have a dove that is depressed or not eating.
