Hello! I was looking through search engines to find some information on mourning dove hatchlings and came across this website/thread! People here seem very knowledgeable, and the OP's story is similar to mine (great job raising Bean, by the way!). I have some questions about a mourning dove hatchling that I hope some of you may be able to help me with.
Quick background: I grow almonds and one day while I was in my orchard I somehow spotted a small movement on the ground. I investigated and found a tiny hatchling sitting on the ground next to another hatchling that was dead. The living one, I'm assuming, hatched within the last 12-24 hours. Eyes were not open, little movement, and almost no feathers. I checked the tree where it was under for a nest because I know you're able to put birds back in it if you come across, and the parents would come back to take care of it. I did see the nest, but looked as if the wind basically ripped it apart. There was no way I could have repaired it and and place the baby back into it. I decided to mark where I found him, and return in an hour to see if a parent would be around. When I came back, nothing had changed. I decided to take it in, and so far everything has been great. I'm using Kaytee Exact as the baby formula, and now I am trying to start the weaning process. The baby, if my original estimate was correct, is anywhere between 10 and 11 days old. Its very feathered now and eats quite a bit. I have been feeding him every 3-4 hours depending when his crop has emptied. So.. My questions are as follows:
Firstly: I am having a difficult time trying to get him to eat the seeds in his baby formula (for the weaning). I'm using a syringe with a nipple (small turkey baster-like object) that has a whole cut out so he can stick his beak in and eat. I then put the small, raw seeds in the end of the nipple (only a couple) and begin to feed him, but he seems to not get many, if any at all. Is there a better way to have him take the seeds?
Secondly: He makes quite a bit of noise. Anytime I'm with him and he knows I'm in the area, he will be very vocal. The only time he is not is when he doesn't know I'm near him (his container is a cardboard box with my old shirt formed as a sort of nest to keep him warm) and I know this because I keep him in my room a bit farther from my desk. Is it normal for him to be this vocal?
Lastly: I was reading mourning doves are taught how to peck at seeds and learn from their parents how to feed themselves independently. Whats the best way to do this, once the weaning process comes to an end?
Sorry this is such a long post! But for whatever reason, whether it be the fact I've put in a lot of time to keep this little guy alive or that I am very determined to see this bird become a healthy juvenile, I have become surprisingly attached and worry about him constantly. Any advice would be great, Thank you very much!!
