Feeding baby pigeons can be a bit complicated, and its best to call a local wildlife center if youve found an injured bird. However, if youre raising a baby pigeon yourself, here are some things to keep in mind:
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Formula: Youll need to get baby bird formula from a pet store and dilute it with about 5 parts water at first. Gradually thicken the formula over the first week.
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Warmth: A baby pigeon needs to be kept warm at all times during its first 2 weeks. Place the baby in a box near an angled desk lamp with a 40-watt bulb or a 40-watt dark reptile bulb. You can also use a heating pad set on low, a pet-safe heating pad, or a hot water bottle, though wrap whatever you use in a towel.
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Feeding Technique: Baby pigeons root (dig in their parents mouths for food) rather than gape (open their mouths to be fed by their parents). Place food in an egg cup or another small cup, hold the baby over the egg cup, and tilt both at an angle. Allow the pigeon to dip its head into the cup and pull up food. Pull it back every once and a while to check how full its crop is and to let it get some air.
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Age: Babies that are 2 weeks old or over can be fed defrosted corn and peas, served warm. They can be popped into the beak one at a time, feeding until the crop is full. Mostly, newborn pigeons diet depends on crop milk in the first week and crushed foods with low sugar and salt levels later on. At around day 9, baby pigeons will have an adult diet brought to them, which comprises of seeds, fruits, and occasionally invertebrates.
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Other Foods: Finely chopped vegetables and greens, plus smaller amounts of fruit, should be offered as part of a pigeon’s or dove’s daily diet. Pale vegetables, with a high water composition (i.e., iceberg or head lettuce, celery) offer very little nutritional value and should not be offered. Avocado is reported to be potentially toxic to birds and should not be offered.
Its important to note that feeding a baby pigeon can be a bit complicated, and its best to call a local wildlife center if youve found an injured bird.
