Rescued Blind Mourning Dove Fledgling

[Brahma Chicken5000]

So my friend rescued a blind mourning dove fledgling. The chick was born without eyes, the parents made a nest on a neighbor’s porch and the kids watched the chicks grow. The dove is about 3 weeks old. I gave my friend the feed formulation I use for my pigeons, but my friend tried to hand feed the dove today, but he didn’t take the formula. Does the dove need the formula at this age or can he eat solid feed? Any and all help is appreciated.
Cheers, Aryeh

 

[nchls school]

Without eyes how would it be able to eat? I have taught birds that went blind how to find their food dish and eat/drink. A little squab that has never seen-not so sure it could ever find food on its own. Do you want the responsibility of hand feeding this bird for the next decade?

You don't say how your friend tried to hand feed. I have hand fed a morning dove successfully; a sighted one. I used a small syringe with a long nipple and Kaytee hand feeding formula.

 

[Brahma Chicken5000]

Without eyes how would it be able to eat? I have taught birds that went blind how to find their food dish and eat/drink. A little squab that has never seen-not so sure it could ever find food on its own. Do you want the responsibility of hand feeding this bird for the next decade?

You don't say how your friend tried to hand feed. I have hand fed a morning dove successfully; a sighted one. I used a small syringe with a long nipple and Kaytee hand feeding formula.

My friend tried the bag method of feeding the dove.

 

[Brahma Chicken5000]

Bird died from a distended crop.