Transitioning to Seed

[crossgirl]

If this has been covered already, I apologize. Since the switch to new improved BYC, I have little luck in searching and this site runs painfully slow for me making it that much more difficult.

I have been tasked with raising a dove. I didn't expect it to live and yet it seems to be thriving. It eats pet store baby bird feed (Zupreem Embrace) from a turkey baster/glove feeding contraption, is feathering out and can balance on a stick if I put him on it. I don't know what the next step is though.

How long do I hand feed and how do I transition to seed? I have wild bird seed mix, and understand that it won't eat the sunflowers (all the more for chickens!) but do I smash some up and mix with the bird food slurry at first?

How do I teach it to eat seed from the ground?

And when will it's legs and feet work better?

Also when do I try to teach it to drink water from a bowl? I currently supplement the bird food with bottled water mixed w/ACV delivered by eye dropper.

The picture was taken last Thursday when it came to me before I figured out the feeding thing. There are more feathers now and finally an alert, intelligent look in it's eyes.

 

[crossgirl]

This picture was taken today. This is the sixth day he's been with me.

 

[KWAK]

I raised 2 baby mourning doves last summer! they were 2 days old when the nest fell.
I raised them on cheerios and chiicken feed made into a paste, to wean them I just sat seed i with them and *pecked* it with my fingers until they realized it was food.

 

[crossgirl]

I raised 2 baby mourning doves last summer! they were 2 days old when the nest fell.
I raised them on cheerios and chiicken feed made into a paste, to wean them I just sat seed i with them and *pecked* it with my fingers until they realized it was food.

Thanks fpr ressponding. How did you know when to try the seed?

 

[KWAK]

I waited until they were completely feathered out (didn't have any of the pin feathers). I'm not sure when the exact time is though...

 

[rmeltonknox]

You can soak small seed and feed it with the baby food, I use Kaytee baby bird food. You can have a very SHALLOW bowl with water near by(so he doesnt get in and drown). I use a small clay flower pot bottom. You can have some seed available in a bowl too. When he is ready, he will peck around the seed and water and learn to eat and drink as he weans. It looks like you are doing a great job raising him. Good luck.

 

[crossgirl]

Thank you both for the responses! I'm relieved to say that it has started to behave more like a bird and less like a needy tyrant.

It started eating seeds on it's own and I'm down to three feedings of baby food. I haven't seen it drink yet though but there is a tiny bowl in there. It's also started perching on the edge of it's box taking an interest in it's surroundings. I don't think it will be long before it tries short flights.

 

[deerman]

dip its beak in the water, dont hold it in there , by look of it , should be ready to drink and eat, some . bet it will be ready to fly within two weeks

 

[crossgirl]

Yes, he's taking test flights now. I just needed patience. Chickens have spoiled me with their hatch, walk, then eat and drink by day two time line. Instinct kicked in and he ate seeds and eventually I caught him drinking water. He showed less interest in his "bottle" as he developed a taste for seed and I was able to wean him off. I bring him in at night but he spends his days alone on the porch. I'm hoping soon he'll take off.

 

[deerman]

carefull he rightage for a cat or hawk, untill he can get his high speed flight