What to feed a pigeon chick at home
A chick, like a human child, needs maternal care. But there are situations in which he is torn off from her wing, for example, if he fell out of the nest. A person may well independently go out of a fallen bird, picked up on the street, and, when the time comes, release him into the wild. Be sure to read the advice of professionals on how to raise chicks correctly and what not to do. The article tells how to feed a pigeon chick at home, if you are professionally engaged in rearing or simply warmed a feathered cub in your home.
How to feed a pigeon chick at home
Pigeons in the city
Have you ever wondered why almost no one saw pigeons? The fact is that adult pigeons prefer to nest away from human eyes in places safe from predators: on roofs, in bridges, in tree hollows and other depressions. The bird comes from the Mediterranean, and there nests in the rocks. In addition, pigeons abandon their homes forever if they are touched by a human hand.
This bird is one of the most popular on city streets around the world. Wild individuals live for about 5 years, and domesticated ones, with proper care, can last all 15.
The formed pair of pigeons builds a nest together: the male supplies material (branches, hay), and the dove equips the dwelling. Over time, the nest improves externally. The breeding season usually lasts from April to September, but may end later if the fall is warm. The female lays 1-2 eggs at a time and incubates them for 3 weeks. A hatched chick requires care, and if it turns out to be abandoned, only a person can save it: it is not customary for pigeons to pick up chicks that are not theirs.
How can you recognize a representative of pigeon offspring
A newborn has a yellow fluff on a pinkish body, a large beak (with the exception of short-billed breeds), bulging eyes. He is capable of flying from the age of one month, not earlier. Already at 1.5 months, a young bird is difficult to distinguish from an adult, except for the dullness of feathers and body density. The youngsters fly still uncertainly, the wingspan is rather weak.
So, you have equipped a corner in your house for a new tenant. But a lot of questions remain, the main one of which is what to feed the pigeon chick? What does he eat and how much food can you give him so as not to harm the fragile body?
Feeding start
If you have a newborn chick in your hands, it is important to immediately teach him to take water and food on his own. The most difficult thing is to feed the chicks of pigeons, which are one week old. Nature has laid down that during this period they need mother's milk. You need to try very hard to save the chick. Below is one of the algorithms for the first feeding.
- buy a 20-cube syringe at the pharmacy, put a nipple on top of it, you can use a pipette;
- an egg yolk, rich in minerals necessary for the chick, or special grain, crushed to a state of gruel, is suitable as feed;
- gently inject the substance into the chick's beak, allowing it to process food as it eats.
This procedure must be repeated at least 6 times a day.
Second to third weeks
The first week was successfully overcome. During this period, the pigeon begins to grow stronger, his eyes open, he already hears the sounds of the world around him. Then you can begin to introduce grain into the diet in small portions. It can be millet, millet, barley, the main thing is that the grains are crushed and steamed, so that the feathered baby does not choke. As a source of calcium, add chalk or eggshells, ground on a coffee grinder, to the mixture. Greens should also be pre-chopped. Honey will be a useful addition. Poultry farmers also recommend treating your pet with nutritious sunflower seeds.
At the age of 20 days, the chicks of pigeons are weaned from the pipette and begin to feed by hand. To do this, you need to carefully open the beak with your fingers and put food inside. If the chick resists, persist. Over time, he himself begins to be active and open his beak.
To make sure that the piglet is full, you need to feel its goiter (the area under the beak): if the bird has taken a sufficient amount of food, it will be full.
To water the cub, you need to take it in your hands and dip it into a container of water with its beak. After 2-3 times, he gets used to it and begins to quench his thirst on his own.
Feeding a month old pigeon
When the pet has gone the second month, a little more, and he will be able to take care of himself. But for now, he still needs the care of a person. The pigeon eats almost independently, however, during this period, the features of the diet of the chicks and the technical aspects of feeding differ from those that were before:
- The basis of the diet is balls of soaked white bread, gruel from raw carrots and boiled eggs.
- Each meal should be enriched with vitamins in the form of fresh vegetables and fruits.
- It is recommended to add special vitamin supplements to food and water, which can be purchased at the pet store.
Birds are very sensitive to environmental conditions, so you must not forget to monitor the cleanliness of not only the cage, but also the feeders with a drinker, and regularly change the water in it.
Following the recommendations provided, it is quite possible to raise healthy pigeons and, over time, either release them into the wild, or grow them further at home.
Many people cannot pass by the birds that have fallen out of the nest and lost: if you decide to take care of such birds, the feeding should be of high quality - you can watch a variety of videos on this topic or use the recommendations provided. The birds will be grateful to you.