P.O. Box 1897, Kailua, HI 96734
Doves and pigeons
Barred/Zebra doves, Spotted-Ring Neck Chinese Mountain Doves, and Rock Doves (Pigeons)
Hatchling (naked and may be blind)
Feed very small quantities every hour and a half to two hours depending on species (larger species need to be fed less often). Give enough to fill the crop so it looks like two boobies on the chest, but not so much that the crop appears stretched tight. Ask a more experienced rehabber if necessary. Mix straight formula with water to a consistency a bit runnier than applesauce. It is better to use a finer grained formula for the wee Barred Dove babies. It is easier to tube feed and easier for them, particularly, to digest.
Nestling (pinfeathers or feathers, but not yet flying)
Tube feed every two to three hours depending on species and follow same instructions as above except formula can be made to the consistency of applesauce. A switch to a coarser-grained formula is okay at this point if desired, be sure to mix the two together for several days so the baby doesn't experience digestional shock.
Fledgling (limited and strong flight)
Feed every three to four hours depending on species and follow the same instructions except the formula can be made to the consistency of pudding. Offer millet sprays at this point and when the spray looks pecked at, put in water and seed cups. Observe the bird and when it starts pecking at seed, slowly cut back on hand feeding. Some doves are happy to be handfed forever and others want to have nothing more to do with you. A rule of thumb is if the baby hasn't started to refuse, then slow down and stop hand feeding when they are a) eating actively, b) nearly in adult plumage, and c) nearly as big as adults. These birds are more likely to refuse hand feeding at a normal rate if they are kept with other doves.
Adult
They do best on seed made specifically for doves but are okay on wild birdseed. Millet can be added if desired.
(Adapted from material provided by Merri Keeton)
Common medical issues:
ZEBRA DOVES: Trichomoniasis, tapeworms, feet tangled in hair, starving adolescents, weak leg syndrome, greasy feathers.
MOUNTAIN DOVES: Trichomoniasis, eye problems, eye worms, roundworms, thin adolescents, weak leg syndrome, cat attacks, hit by car, broken wings, skin abrasions and wounds, coccidiosis.
PIGEONS: Trichomoniasis, pox, tapeworms, feet mangled by ligatures (twine), malnourished babies, babies with skin split on skull, crop slowdown, hit by car, broken legs and wings, weak leg syndrome, coccidiosis, starving at all ages.