Need help with my doves

[frankiefeathers]

hello everyone looks of good info on this site I hate a question about my juvenile rock doves I have had them since they were 10 days old they hand fed well and I can make a past of formula and seeds and cup my hands and they eat well but they are so addicted to hand feeding they won't eat on there own I feed them in the am put them out during the day with dove food and then feed them at night their crops are always empty or have little to nothing left they peck and scratch and eat the same food from my hand but won't eat on there own not sure what to do they are old enough to fly

 

[GitaBooks]

I don't own doves, but I hope this helps:

First, feed them in your hands the normal paste. Slowly change over to plain seeds in your hand at least part of the time (plain seeds are not a healthy diet, but for a few days it should be okay). Start feeding them from a plate or bowl in your hand. Start setting the bowl on the ground with your hand wrapped around it. Pull your hand back while they are eating! You can then introduce them to greens, minced carrots and bell peppers, ect.


Best of luck!

 

[jak2002003]

I don't own doves, but I hope this helps:

First, feed them in your hands the normal paste. Slowly change over to plain seeds in your hand at least part of the time (plain seeds are not a healthy diet, but for a few days it should be okay). Start feeding them from a plate or bowl in your hand. Start setting the bowl on the ground with your hand wrapped around it. Pull your hand back while they are eating! You can then introduce them to greens, minced carrots and bell peppers, ect.


Best of luck!

This is perfect advise!

Or you can do it the quick way... and just stop feeding them by hand.. but keep the seed in a pot in with them.. scatter a few seeds around the pot to get them started.

They will refuse to eat for a day or 2.. but then get so hungry they will tuck in. They can go several days without eating with no problems once they are fully grown and weaned.

 

[frankiefeathers]

Thank you for the advise they went to the vet today to get checked out just to make sure all is okay I have food offered on plate and water in a flat dish they are finally drinking on their own they will peck at the seeds but won't eat then even if I have the in my hand if I cup my hand so they can stick their head in the hole the they open their mouth and swallow the seeds still won't eat greens or fresh veg if I open my hand they stop I just never had baby be this stubborn before and I have raise many in the last 20 years but these babies are tricky

 

[frankiefeathers]

I took the babies to the vet and they check out weight is good so tough love is the suggested treatment I am no longer hand feeding they started drinking better today so I will be minding their condition and weight and holding off on hand feeding wish me luck

 

[frankiefeathers]

I need help my pigeons still won't eat on their own I tried tuff love stop syringe feeding and I checked their weight daily advised by vet if they lose 20% of their body weight I had to go back to feeding they lost to much weight so I am now feeding them again I am at a loss on what to do to get them to eat enough to sustain a healthy weight

 

[GitaBooks]

Could you house them with a dove that would show them how to eat?

 

[ZookieBoo]

I'm sorry to interrupt, but I've been hand raising a Mourning Dove and its been a few weeks. How long until they start flying?

 

[GitaBooks]

I'm sorry to interrupt, but I've been hand raising a Mourning Dove and its been a few weeks. How long until they start flying?

Fledging takes place around 2 weeks of age.

 

[Shiza]

I just wonder.....
Whenever I try to get a chick or keet to eat I tap my finger in the feed. Might give it a try???