Squab is same age but half the size of its sib

[Lobzi]

Here is a picture. Does it seem like there might be something wrong with it and is there anything I can do for it?

 

[sourland]

Sometimes on squab is more vigorous than the other and gets fed most by the parents. Generally the second catches up once it starts eating on it's own.

 

[Hokum Coco]

There is always one squab that seems to be a bit larger than the other. I never seen it to that degree in my flock. Hopefully it will catch up like Sourland says.

 

[Lobzi]

Thanks for the reassurance. Ive been through 4 other pairs of brooded babies with this mating pair and I have not had this happen. Both babies have developed at pretty much the same rate. Father dove flew away and was killed by a hawk so Im having to feed the small one. The larger one is taking care of himself and of course mama dove is waiting for her mate to return. It is horrible but I will do my best to help this little one survive. Note, the size difference was apparent long before dad flew the coop.

 

[laughingdog]

I'll take away larger sibling after light and before dark and younger catches up fast unless its sickly. Larger will still get large feeding in morn n evening just other can catch up on feedings during day. Or swap out one of to nest with more or less same size and aggressive feeding.

 

[Lobzi]

Mom is not attending to the little guy, Im feeding it. It sparingly feeds the larger one who is up on the perch begging next to her. Mama often even flys away from the large one in an effort NOT to feed it. I think Mama is trying to break both from their dependence on her. This is fine for the larger one as it can get around the cage but the smaller on depends on me to move it around. The food is mostly at the bottom of the cage and the little one will forage a bit but not enough to sustain it.

 

[appps]

Mom is not attending to the little guy, Im feeding it.  It sparingly feeds the larger one who is up on the perch begging next to her.  Mama often even flys away from the large one in an effort NOT to feed it.  I think Mama is trying to break both from their dependence on her.  This is fine for the larger one as it can get around the cage but the smaller on depends on me to move it around.  The food is mostly at the bottom of the cage and the little one will forage a bit but not enough to sustain it.

How old are they? What are you feeding it, just seed?

I have one that has two legs that haven't developed properly to allow it to walk and even it manages to get it self round the cage. I'm wondering if it's not moving because it's lost too much weight and is now just too weak and needs some extra baby bird formula feeds to pick it back up?

As for mum, I know with mine mum stopped feeding first and went back to nest organisation and it was Dad who kept up the feeds for the last couple weeks mostly on his own. From what I read that's pretty typical as mum is getting ready to breed again. Without Dad you might just have to fill that gap with top up formula feeds for a week or two.

 

[Lobzi]

That is what Im doing. The next day after Cyrano flew off, Roxanne laid an egg. I took it and she did not lay a second one. She grooms and I saw her feed the older one but never the smaller, younger one. Im feeding a mash of crushed bird seed, sunflower seed, boiled egg yolk, yogurt, some Rooster Booster and antibiotics. I use a large dropper and squirt the food in its mouth. He doesnt like this process of feeding him much but he like the food. I tried using a rubber glove finger with food in it and put it around his beak but that didnt work out at all. He can walk just fine but hasnt tried to fly yet. The other one would be ready to introduce to the large aviary but since this baby is so small and not ready Im holding off on putting them all out there. It will be better for mama to have some company. She associates me with Cyrano as he was my baby and I bought her so he would have a mate. It breaks my heart because she keeps staring at me as if to be saying, "where is he, I know you have him, give him back to me." I cant wait for her to find another dove to pair up with.

 

[Hokum Coco]

Every situation is different. Keeping that in mind I have found that most times when I intervened to save a squab that was abandon by their parents for what ever reason it usually was not worth my effort.

In your case the male usually does the lion share of feeding the squabs until they are on their own. Meanwhile the female does the lion share of incubating the second clutch of eggs. Where the female was widow and became a single parent she could not maybe meet the demands of two ravenous squabs. Therefore she had a choice to make. If his nest mate is flying the abandoned squab is at least 2 weeks away from being air born. I hope this is the case and things turn out well for you.

Keep us posted.

 

[Lobzi]

Thank you. If this little one could just fly hed be fine on its own probably. Im enjoying his company for now. I dont think it will die but Im wondering if it will be a midget all its life. It is only about 2 days younger than is sib and as you can see from the pic, half its size. Big brother is flying and hardly ever begging mama for food. Smaller one doesnt beg much but I offer it food fairly often. He gets very excited when I feed him, making the begging noise and flapping its wings. It seem to enjoy sitting with me though I am letting it stay with mama and sib at night and most of the day.