Keeping baby dove alive through the night....

[NicInNC]

I posted this message earlier:

https://www.backyardchickens.com/forum/viewtopic.php?id=522444&p=1

Now that I know what it is, can someone tell me how to keep it alive until I can go look for the nest tomorrow? My neighbor gave it to me...he's had it for a few days. It's very alert and vocal. I was feeding it a crazy mixture of canned dog food, cottage cheese and water but was just told that's not good. If I can't find the nest, then I'm taking it to the wildlife rescue by my work.

 

[Mary Of Exeter]

That's a baby Mourning dove. Looks to be healthy so you shouldn't have a hard time keeping it alive until it can get to the rehab.
They are fed crop milk via the parents like budgies and a few other species. Kaytee Exact baby bird formula is the best substitute, but since it's after 10pm, you'll need to make a food mix on your own. If you have any chicken pellets, mash them up in some warm water and handfeed the baby. Otherwise, PLAIN (no sugar, no nothing) oatmeal mashed up and warm will work. Or corn meal, or finely chopped bird seed/scratch feed made into a mash with warm water, etc. - you get the idea

Frozen peas and corn thawed out can be popped down the throat (you may need to cut it down into smaller size as doves are tiny).

You'll need to keep it warm. Being a chicken person, I'm sure you have a heat lamp to brood chicks - that will work. A brooder box in general will work to keep it in (actually, that would be perfect!).

Here's some info to read:

http://www.internationaldovesociety.com/Recipes/handfeedinghelp.htm
http://www.pigeons.biz/forums/f25/various-methods-to-feed-young-squabs-9682.html
http://www.pigeons.biz/forums/f25/macmilk-crop-milk-substitute-15236.html
http://www.pigeons.biz/forums/f20/basic-steps-to-saving-the-life-of-a-pigeon-or-dove-11265.html

 

[Mary Of Exeter]

http://www.pigeoncote.com/vet/feedbaby/feedbaby.htm

Another

 

[NicInNC]

I can't find the nest. Baby bird is doing great. It is still vocal and goes nuts when I feed it. Should I get the Kaytee milk or should I use the chicken starter mixture. It can't seem to get enough of the wet chick starter. It barely swallows it when it's begging for more and trying to lick/bite it off my fingers and syringe. What do I do if the rehab place won't take it? I never gave that thought until someone mentioned it and I remembered that they once wouldn't take a bird that a cat had injured. I'll check out all the other links. THANKS Bunches!

 

[Hoss1975]

The chicken starter will work,if it was younger you would need the kaytee.If the rehab won't take(which most likely they won't)tell them you are going to let it go and hope for the best,but actually keep it and feed it until it's ready,about 6-7 weeks or until it eating on it's own.

 

[Mary Of Exeter]

Quote:
Kaytee is best nutrition-wise, so if you can get some of that, it'd be great

If they don't take him in.....where in NC are you? If you're close and can't keep taking care of him, I will

 

[NicInNC]

He died. I'm so sad. I know the odds were against me because they usually are with any wild bird. It's so weird because he was doing so good yesterday/evening and eating like a little piggy. I had bought some of the kaytee and was feeding it that. This morning, his neck was bend sideways like he couldn't hold his head up and he was acting lethargic and died soon after. I wish my neighbor had not given it to me.

 

[Mary Of Exeter]

I'm so sorry

 

[smkchick]

I have had two mourning doves and a sparrow die in my yard this week. Same symptoms - not flying, running on the ground, then becoming lethargic and dying within a couple of days. I'm concerned because it only started when I got my chicken. Can it be the chicken feed? I called the Dept. of Health because of West Nile virus in the area and they blew me off, saying they only tracked cases in robins, cardinals, crows and hawks. Any ideas?

 

[usschicago1]

Quote:
Thats scary. Maybe they got into rat poisen antifreeze? Mite problem? It could be West nile virus too. You really cant know unless you TAKE one of the dead birds to get it tested.