just banded my first pigeons!

[scramblingmyeggs]

I just banded my first pigeon babies of the year (homers)! Last year I had a bunch of babies, but didn't band any of them. Tonight I did my first banding and it was super easy! (admittedly, my husband helped/did most of the work).

Sadly, I have been away for a week and when I got back today I noticed that the patriarch of my flock and the father of these babies is no where to be seen. This is really sad as he has been rock solid for over a year and I am now worried about the outcome of these babies and of course any future babies from this pair.

.

 

[nzpouter]

hand feed them... easy to do when their pin feathers start growing...

 

[scramblingmyeggs]

Do you think that the mom will be able to take care of them on her own without the dad? This morning she was off the nest (still in the coop) and the poor babies are shivering away by themselves! I put a heat lamp above them to try to keep them warm, but I don't really know if that will do the trick as it is pretty chilly out today.

Should I just bring them in the house and take over, or should I leave them to their mom to try to tend to them on her own??

They are about 7 days old.

Thanks, Liz

 

[bock]

You have two choices: Let nature take its course or rescue those poor babies. Good luck!

 

[nzpouter]

Quote:
\\

7 days old can be hand fed easily, take them, cock birds usually fed the young ones when they grow older and the hen preparing the next clutch..... so chances are without the male, she'll abandon them.

 

[scramblingmyeggs]

Thanks nzpouter... I was trying to figure out how likely it would be for the female to care for the young ones on her own.

Yesterday I had a heat lamp on them, and there was food in their crops and they seemed strong. In the evening I turned the lamp off and the mother sat on them. This morning she is out and about again though. I didn't put the lamp on them today as they felt warm although I will keep a close eye. They feel as though they have been fed this morning, I think.

Maybe my plan will be to watch them closely and if they start to go downhill, or if I think that the mom is done with them, I will bring them in for extra tlc. What do you all think?

 

[nzpouter]

sounds like a good plan...

 

[scramblingmyeggs]

Well, another 24 hours later and the babies are still warm and crops are full, and they are now totally covered in pinfeathers and look WAY bigger than 2 days ago. So, day by day, but so far mom seems to be doing well taking care of them on her own.

 

[scramblingmyeggs]

Update: Homer Babies doing great!