Raising a baby mourning dove!!! NEED HELP!!!

[Aina]

Yes, definitely smaller. If say about two weeks before he can fly... So keep it indoors and start the weaning slowly. I am no expert, but I'd feed it one full syringe for dinner and let it "starve" a little bit during the day so it picks some seeds. Show it the water as well... Keep us posted!

 

[txdenise]

OK thanks. Will try

 

[stevebauer3]

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!!

 

[Aina]

Very cute story and your little guy will join Bean and Nestor "my" baby!
I actually cut the syringe at its base, put the formula in it and wrapped the rim with a 1/4 of a klennex to keep its beak somewhat clean. Because the diameter is about 1/2 inch I was able to incorporate some millet seeds in the formula. About 1/5 seeds 4/5 formula to start with... I also put seeds on a plate (some say using newspaper helps but I haven't tried, and tap tap tap with my fingernails. Nestor keeps following my fingers and I suppose your will do as well. The trickiest was the water but tap tap tap helped and Nestor eventually did suck up the water. Now of course for the first 2-3 weeks Nestor barely ate any seeds except when mixed in the formula. I thought it would be good to slowly get its digestive system used to it... 5 weeks later Nestor is a free bird who comes 2-3 times a day to eat its seeds and I still give him a bit of formula as a treat!
Now the vocal baby is normal. Nestor still battles its wings and does pew pew pew every time it sees me. However I would definitely get a cage for your baby. Don't keep it in the dark as it needs to feel its surrounding. I used my chicken's coop and previously made one myself with chicken wire and a bit of DIY...
Make sure it has water...
Hoping that helps!
Aloha

 

[txdenise]

Thank you very much. I tried all that. He just will not peck. He put a his head up. Every time he sees movement, he goes to it. Whether its me, a dog, or a cat. That worries me. Plus, I'm afraid he isn't going to be able to care for himself when I release him. I hope I'm doing everything right. Lord help me

 

[Aina]

My understanding is that weaning takes a while. A lady I met in a pet store told me it takes months!
Don't release it until it takes seeds. I was also told to "starve" Nestor during the day and feed one big syringe at night. I did see pigeons on my neighbors roof with one fledgling on the roof and the poor guy was by itself all day and at night both parents fed him then took off. He eventually flew away with them and I am sure they still monitor it. My story with Nestor is different because it flew away... Then came back so I let the cage open and Nestor came back 2-3 times a day. I haven't seen him/her yet today so of course I am worried... I hope later this afternoon...
Be patient with your guy and it will figure it out. Nestor did not eat a seed at all despite my efforts and I was even wondering if it did not have a problem with its beak because it looked like it couldn't grab a seed. Then one day it did swallow a few. Then 3 days later a few more and only two days ago it just gulped the seeds in the cage! Maybe they need time to process the info...

 

[txdenise]

I put my baby in a big coffee can full of seeds today.I pushed his beek down in it and he went to town. He is learning! Water, he doesn't like so much.

 

[Aina]

Great. Now don't force it: it must be a good experience. I used a sauce dish for the water. Not something deep and move the water with your finger so it makes noise. That is the way I get Nestor to drink...

 

[Aina]

Yeepee! Nestor came back around 4:30...
Lots of seeds and lots of water, cuddled a little bit, went on my shoulder for a little time and flew away! Night night Nestor

 

[Aina]

Hello
I couldn't find where to put a new post....
I would have put Nestor bus in the subject...
So first and update on Nestor: he/she is doing great as it comes once to twice a day to get the seeds ! No my bad cat bad boy Mango brought me this morning another baby Mourning dove :-( I spanked him and chased him away I was so upset . And of course I rise yes the little guy . It seems to be OK he has more feather dad Nestor used to have when I rescued it. It's been about 5 hours now and it ate a bit of baby food. However it seems like one of its legs is broken: the leg stands upfront and shows no grip... What should I do???