Hi. New to doves with one about to hatch

[appps]

When you go to the breeder on Thursday he/she may be able to shed some light as to what is wrong. From your description he sounds like a stubborn hand fed bird. I do a lot of hand feeding and weaning can be very frustrating. But, I think I remember you posting that you didn't hand feed much-odd-obviously he remembers you doing so or he would not be begging you to "feed" him.

That is why Ive been wondering if he is really hungry, he was only handfed on about day 3 and 4 and then the parents got the hang of it. So shouldnt really remember me feeding him at all. I am thinking its because I put my hand in with the food bowl each day but still its not the reaction I would expect, as dad growls at me all the time you would think he would have learnt to be scared of my hand..

He is inside and has done some flapping but not even close to taking off. I noticed too when he does flap one wing sits more to the front than the other rather than evenly either side. Im starting to think there is a reason after a week and a half of jumping down from the nest that he hasnt worked out how to get back up again. He is having a lovely explore though and Ive sprinkled some millet seeds about and he is wandering around picking them up and playing with them with the occasional one going down. The cockatiel is quite intreaged ;-)

 

[caesargirl]

I don't believe it's hunger. One of mine does that too when I fill the bowl. And it's not one that was hand fed from the beginning. I believe you're correct about associating your hand with food. It can also be an attention seeking mechanism. I'm glad he's out exploring. It's good for the senses. Have you shown him a mirror. They can recognize themselves! And does he have a little ledge all his own in the cage? Most piggys like to "observe from above", he might like something to perch on, that isn't mom n pops.

 

[nchls school]

That is why Ive been wondering if he is really hungry, he was only handfed on about day 3 and 4 and then the parents got the hang of it.  So shouldnt really remember me feeding him at all.  I am thinking its because I put my hand in with the food bowl each day Possible. but still its not the reaction I would expect, as dad growls at me all the time you would think he would have learnt to be scared of my hand..

He is inside and has done some flapping but not even close to taking off.  I noticed too when he does flap one wing sits more to the front than the other rather than evenly either side I noticed what appeared wing unevenness in the picture. I wondered about that and if it were just the photo..  Im starting to think there is a reason after a week and a half of jumping down from the nest that he hasnt worked out how to get back up again.  He is having a lovely explore though and Ive sprinkled some millet seeds about and he is wandering around picking them up and playing with them with the occasional one going down.  The cockatiel is quite intreaged ;-) I'll bet it is. Cockatiels are quite social and it would not be surprising to me if they became friends.

 

[laughingdog]

Some fantail breeds are very clumsy, parents do push off offspring if they only have available one nest, otherwise males stay at one nest feeding older young n teaching feeding etc, while female tends eggs etc in new nest.
Babies soon realize you bring food. Try making a certain noise when you feed, n poke or tap feeder n then waterer with finger chopstick a straw, to promote young to go for food and water. Fantails n fancy feathered pigeons do better with higher protein feed, like layer feed.

 

[appps]

So at what age would you all consider a baby should be totally self sufficient?

 

[laughingdog]

About a month old. Three to six weeks, eight maybe.

 

[Hokum Coco]

So at what age would you all consider a baby should be totally self sufficient?

My homers are self sufficient at 4 weeks and I begin training them at about 6 weeks (you have late and early bloomers naturally).

 

[appps]

Oh good. I actually saw him drink for the first time today and eat a little of the grit so I'm now more confident he is going to be okay without mum and dad. My sister has ordered a new cage in for hers so once that arrives off they go. Then we need to get started building ours! I'm a little concerned they will be like chickens and I'll end up with more than I expected lol

 

[appps]

Well just a little update on young Maddox. The breeder checked him over and it's not actually a tail problem, it's a hip problem which is throwing him off balance so causing the crooked tail. Makes sense because he is a very wobbly walker but I'd put that down to being a baby. Apparently mum also had it slightly though it's no longer noticable, probably why she was given away as a cull to start with I guess. Hopefully he may also improve a bit as he grows.

I also now know what he is going to look like. He is a lavender pearl fantail so according to google images this is what he will look like.

Oh and he suspects he's actually a she but said it's still a bit early to be sure

So he has been wormed and checked over and apart from the hip is going good though a little smaller compared to the others his age. We also redesigned their temporary quarters this afternoon and laid the pen down so it's now long instead of high so he has much more room to run around and stretch those legs. I will take the good camera out tomorrow and get some decent photos now it's going to be easier with the cage redesign.

 

[caesargirl]

Awwww. Love vin Maddox updates!!