Help with orphaned pigeons please.

[Hubber]

Any help would be appreciated please.

My parents have a pigeon who returns to the same nest (in their wysteria which covers a podoga in the back garden). She was raising two, now quite big, babies, but unfortunately mum has been attacked by a cat and died.

The two babies are now left alone in the nest.

I have bought some meal worms and hope that as they are used to us (the nest is quite low), they may be hand fed.

Has anyone any experience please and could pass on some knowledge to ensure these sweet little things survive. What to feed them? Shall I remove them from the nest and put them in a box indoors? Do they need water regularly? That sort of thing.

I don't want to call the RSPCA and as I'm out in the sticks cannot find a bird rescue willing to travel miles to me to rescue the orphans.

Any help would really be appreciated.

Thank you.

Annie

[Pippa]

Originally Posted by Hubber

Any help would be appreciated please.

My parents have a pigeon who returns to the same nest (in their wysteria which covers a podoga in the back garden). She was raising two, now quite big, babies, but unfortunately mum has been attacked by a cat and died.

The two babies are now left alone in the nest.

I have bought some meal worms and hope that as they are used to us (the nest is quite low), they may be hand fed.

Has anyone any experience please and could pass on some knowledge to ensure these sweet little things survive. What to feed them? Shall I remove them from the nest and put them in a box indoors? Do they need water regularly? That sort of thing.

I don't want to call the RSPCA and as I'm out in the sticks cannot find a bird rescue willing to travel miles to me to rescue the orphans.

Any help would really be appreciated.

Thank you.

Annie

Ring the RSPB or any vet Annie.They may give you valuable advice on what to do even though they wont visit.

Fingers crossed for you and have bumped this in the hope someone helps soon.

[wildliferescuer]

Hi
You do need to contact your nearest wildlife rescue centre as it is impossible to give advice without knowing how old they are.
Pigeons are seedeaters so mealworms are no good for them but when they are very young they are fed a special 'pigeon milk' by the parents & therefore knowing how old they are is important.
If you could put a photo on here it may be possible to estimate their age.
Most rescue centres are extremely busy at this time of year & they do rely on people taking casualties to them. If you let me know where you are I can see if there is a centre near to you.

[Hubber]

Thank you all for replying. The two babies are quite big - only one fits in the nest the other perching alongside - semi inside. They are no longer fluffy, feathers are quite mature, except on one babies head, which is still fluffy. I'd say they are about half the size of a mature pigeon - I am always surprised how quickly they grow! Mum and Dad keep any eye on the nest and we estimate they are about 3 weeks old.

I did ring several vets who advised me to ring the RSPCA. I am trying to source their information on what they would do with baby pigeons before I call them. I have managed to find a bird rescue not too far from here, so I'll call them in the morning.

They have scoffed up several mealworms with zest and we have managed to wipe their beaks with watered cotton wool - so thankfully, they have full bellies for this awfully rainy and thundering night. We've also put some seed (as you recommended) and the little 'un is trying to peck it up - big smile here!!

Thanks so much for your responses - makes me feel warm to know other people care as much as I do - thank you!

[Hubber]

Mum has come back!! Yipppeeee

Thanks for your help Caroline and Pippa.

Annie

[Pippa]

Oh Hubba,that is simply wonderful Good on you for caring

[Hubber]

Yes thanks Pippa - was so worried, especially as Caroline had told me baby pigeons weren't supposed to eat mealworm!! Yikes - they ate about 20 each!! I fed them with a long surgical pair of tweezers, bless 'em - felt good I must admit.

Mum rang this morning and said 'good news' - their mum was back so I shot round there, missed her unfortunately, but the two little 'uns were sitting there good as gold waiting for her. I wonder if it's normal for the mum to leave the nest for so long? Was nearly two days and when we saw all the pigeon feathers over the garden we just assumed it was her. I'll have to find out - interested now

Anyway, thanks for the friend invite - I think I've clicked the right buttons. Hope to hear from you soon. Do you know much about hedgehogs? Strange question maybe, but got loads in the garden.

Cheers

Annie

[Pippa]

I moved about 18 months ago Annie but we had hedgehogs back home for over 20 years.They loved tinned cat food (not the fish variety as it's bad for them).

Anyway, we have a wonderful member here called hedgehoggy .Anything you need to know.H is the one that has all the answers.

Pleased to have you as a friend too.

[poohbear]

When I was a kid I had two orphaned woodpigeon squabs...having little knowlege in those days I took the story of them being fed pigeons milk literally and fed them brown bread soaked in milk...they thrived..living in the greenhouse.
Unfortunately in my reply to the other half of this post..I had a tame hedgehog called Horace who was also in the greenhouse.I entered one morning to find that Horace had killed and part eaten one of the fully grown squabs...exit Horace back to the wild.
I had the other young 'un 'Scruffy'for two years before one day he decided to explore and headed for the woods.My dad named him Scruffy as his chest feathers were matted with dried up milk...he sure grew fat on his diet though.