how old before squab feed themselves?

[farmdude]

I have a baby pigeon about 3 weeks old. the parents kicked it out of the nest and it got beat up either by them or the other pigeons. I have moved it into a cage in the house to heal. Do I need to hand feed it? Or can it feed itself now?

 

[Hokum Coco]

how old before squab feed themselves? Do I need to hand feed it? Or can it feed itself now? I would say 4 to 5 weeks

You may have to hand feed it for a week or so. I would monitor it make sure it is getting feed. No two birds are exactly the same. You are definitely close to being home free.

 

[farmdude]

I soaked some bird seed and tried to feed it without success. It I really hard to hold it, open it's beak and feed by myself. I'm going to try and buy a better thing to feed it. the syringe I'm using isn't working out to well. I also need another hand

 

[Hokum Coco]

I soaked some bird seed and tried to feed it without success.

Try to let the squab crop empty almost completely before feeding. This will prevent sour crop which can cause you problems.

Check out these links for squab feeding see which one suits your situation the best:

https://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=feeding+squabs

 

[farmdude]

It's crop is completely empty. I fear it is starving. I don't think the parents have fed it in 2-3 days. I watched the clip. The guy makes it look easy and the squab is cooperating. I've had doves for 15 years and pigeon for 2 years. I've never had parents abandon their young before they can fend for themselves.

 

[Hokum Coco]

It's crop is completely empty. I fear it is starving. I don't think the parents have fed it in 2-3 days. I watched the clip. The guy makes it look easy and the squab is cooperating. I've had doves for 15 years and pigeon for 2 years. I've never had parents abandon their young before they can fend for themselves.

You will just have to PONY UP and feed him. I would put him in company with his father again and hope for the best. There is more than one clip on that link I am hoping for hand feeding squabs..

 

[jak2002003]

You have had some good advise... putting him back with his father is a very good idea.

If that does not work I found the most easy way to feed them was the plastic bag method.

Get a small clear plastic bag.. cut a hole in one corner just big enough for the pigeons beak to go in and open.

Make a paste of hand rearing formula.. or chick starter and warm water... add a few seeds.

Gently push the pigeon beak into the hole and gently push the bag slightly on its face.. keep it at its head level... you can giggle it up and down a bit like when the parents feed the squabs.

The chick should suck up some of the mixture.. When its had enough it will refuse to eat anymore.. and you should feel its crop has food in it.

At that age 3 feedings per day will be enough.. reducing to 2 once its stronger... keep a pot of water and mixed seeds in the cage for when it starts to eat on its own.

Hope it does OK.

It will take a few goes to get it used to eating from you... as it scared of you now... but it will get used to it.

Having it sit in a small box while you feed it will help you... as it will not be able to flap its wings about or run away from you.

Make sure you wipe any spilt food mix off the pigeon after each feed.. to keep everything clean.

Good luck!!!!