Page 452 - Hand rearing birds second

446 Hand-Rearing Birds

Table 27.1 Feeding schedule for Mourning Doves.

Diet for chicks under 25 g Diet = 50/50 (Emeraid/Exact): Birds on this diet may not require as
frequent feedings. Check crop and feed when nearly empty. Food expires after 1 hour.
DO NOT FEED COLD 50/50.

Weight (g) Amount (ml) Hours between feeds
10 1 ½–1
15 1.5–2 1–1½
20 1.5–2.5 2
For chicks over 25 g, feed exact only: DO NOT FEED COLD EXACT
25 2–3 2
30 2.5–3.5 2
35 4 2
40–50 5 3
50–60 6 3
60 6–7 3
Above 65 g, begin checking crop for seed before feeding. Do not tube if seed is present.
65 6–7 3 ½
Juvenile Mourning Doves over 70 g will usually self‐feed unless debilitated.
70–80 8 4
At 90 g, do not tube unless bird is debilitated. Healthy juveniles will self‐feed.
90 9 x3/day
95 9–10 x3/day
Source: information courtesy of the Wildlife Care Association in Sacramento, CA.

in wide flat dishes. Check the crop for seed before every feeding. If a bird is starting to peck at food
and has bunches of seed in its crop, skip the meal and check again at the next feeding interval.
Once the bird has had seed in its crop for 48 hours and is of weight, consider the bird self‐feeding.
Continue checking its attitude and weight daily to ensure it is thriving.
In the wild, columbids ingest small caliber rocks as grit, facilitating grinding up food in the ven-
triculous (gizzard). In captivity, when using commercially available seed mixes, pigeons and doves
do very well without grit, since the seed itself helps in grinding. If a caregiver chooses to add grit
to a bird’s diet, a small amount is sufficient. Beware of giving birds large amounts of grit, as birds
may over‐eat this non‐nutritive material. Using ground oyster shells as grit can add calcium to the
diet; a small amount is adequate. Beware crushed oyster shell that has sharp edges, as it can cause
esophagus lacerations.

Feeding Procedures

The most effective method used to feed juvenile doves and pigeons is by gavage, or “tubing” a
nutritionally complete liquid ration directly into the bird’s crop (Figure 27.2). This technique takes
practice but is invaluable when feeding large numbers of individuals. Feeding syringes should be