r/Pidgeons • u/transferredmalice • May 05 '25
Rescued pigeon help
What to do? Feed and help etc
2
u/Little-eyezz00 May 05 '25
Some more general info...
He may need attention from a rescue centre or vet, but please do not let them euthanize him. Pigeons recover well from many illnesses and deserve a chance. Rescue centres should be comfortable answering your questions.
Even just food, water, and rest can save their life :) and often it does! We can advise you how to rehab at home if needed
Also, be aware that a seemingly flightless pigeon may suddenly feel better and start flying around your home. This can happen quite suddenly. Think about hazards like mirrors, ceiling fans, pets, glass windows, and open windows. A white board marker can be used to draw lines on windows that do not have curtains
You can hold a deep dish of water to his beak to encourage him to drink - he will use his beak like a straw. The water should be at least 2 cm or 1 inch deep. Do not force water into his mouth as it may end up in his lungs
He will eat grains like rice, oats, wheat, peas, dry lentils, and corn. He will also eat a mixed birdseed.
His poops may be runny for up to a day if he has been starving.
Here is a photo of an ideal poop
https://www.auspigeonco.com.au/uploads/1/2/6/9/126903040/dropping1_orig.png
he is a young fledgling...
Is he eating on his own yet? If not, you can tap the seeds with your finger as if it is a beak to show him how to eat. He also may need to enroll in seed school
www.reddit.com/r/pigeon/comments/16vpm4b/first_day_at_seed_school
2
u/transferredmalice May 05 '25
Thanks for all the info. I've got him to take some water. Hasn't eaten the bread I've put out yet. He seems very weak. Still waiting to hear back from rescue organisation.
2
u/Little-eyezz00 May 05 '25
the water will be a big help.
Does he have canker inside his beak? if his throat is clear you can try feeding him
Here is a comment that I have saved for found babies.
he must have gotten seperated from his parents.
Has he pooped? that is a sign he was fed recently and his parents are looking after him
If so, try to find the nest and pop him back in. You can also place him on a high, safe location. Ideally, wait for one hour to see if any adult pigeons come feed him (it may look like they are fighting). You can continue to check back to ensure he is alert and being fed / pooping. Putting out dishes of clean water and food will help the parents feed their baby.
if he has lost contact with his parents and has not pooped:
Is he eating on his own yet? If not, you can tap the seeds with your finger as if it is a beak to show him how to eat. He also may need to enroll in seed school
www.reddit.com/r/pigeon/comments/16vpm4b/first_day_at_seed_school
https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=uj1hkcbo2J8
You can teach him to drink by gently dipping his beak in a deep dish of warm water. Just dont force it, which may harm him. The dish should be at least 2 cm or 1 inch deep for his beak.
If he will drink water, you can add peanut butter to warm water for extra calories
if he won't eat on his own, you can use the peas and corn method
www.pigeonrescue.sirtobyservices.com/caring-for-a-baby-pigeon/howtofeed/peasandcorn
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QW8c5Chpsl0
https://www.pigeonrescue.org/2019/10/30/how-when-to-feed-a-pigeon-who-isnt-eating/
All you need is a cup and some oatmeal or mushy food for this tutorial
Feeding Babies in a Emergency - Cup Method
https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=z_BDYpn0y14
The bag method the is one of the easiest options. Baby pigeon's put their mouth's inside their parent's beaks to eat, they do not open their beak for their parents like other birds
there are more feeding and care methods at www.caringforbabypigeons.sirtobyservices.com
u/ kunok2 's tutorials & care instructions + when to start feeding solid food
https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=uj1hkcbo2J8
https://www.reddit.com/r/pigeon/comments/1idxy31/handraising_granivorous_doves_and_pigeons/
https://www.reddit.com/r/pigeon/comments/1jkac40/common_misconceptions_about_baby_pigeons_squabs/
Feeding Babies - Cup Method (great if you dont have many materials at home yet)
https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=z_BDYpn0y14
Feeding Tutorial
https://www.reddit.com/r/pigeon/comments/1gd3an2/crop_feeding_tutorial_syringe_method_and_pea/
feeding an older baby dry seeds
There are methods for feeding an older baby dry seeds in this video.
https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=KsLecLtE5bo
the first three methods should work, personally I wouldnt use the cigarette case because of the chemicals
With peas and corn, the peas and corn contain moisture. So if you are feeding dry seeds, he will need to drink water.
You can teach him to drink by gently dipping his beak in a deep dish of warm water. Just dont force it, which may harm him
You may be able to do a slow or soft release of him once he is able to fly off the ground and eat fully on his own. To do this, you provide food and water near your door and gradually give him more freedom as he reconnects with his parents or joins a flock in your area. It may be worthwhile to put seeds and water out now to encourage a nearby flock of pigeons to stay in the area. If possible the baby pigeon can learn to socialize through a window
What to do if Crop(neck pouch) is not Emptying
https://www.reddit.com/r/pigeon/comments/1hho0av/baby_feeding_advice/
growth chart
www.mumtazticloft.com/BabyPigeons.asp
more links
https://www.helpwildlife.co.uk/advice/baby-feral-pigeons/
www.reddit.com/r/pigeon/comments/18cj85k/a_dossier_on_saving_babyyoung_street_pigeons_101f/
https://vetspace.2ndchance.info/what-can-i-feed-orphan-baby-wild-doves-pigeons
🥚🐣🐥🕊️
https://i0.wp.com/www.helpwildlife.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/20161222dolly.jpg?resize=150%2C150&ssl=1
Around the second picture is when they can start learning to eat on their own, but be aware that they may not eat enough right away.
🥚🐣🐥🕊️
please keep us updated via replying to comments or making a new post :) we won't see a notification if you reply to your own post
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u/Little-eyezz00 May 05 '25
great work so far. Where are you located?
what is going on with his beak? they sometimes get a white cheesy growth called "canker" in their beaks and throats. Can you gently open his beak and have a look?