Page 454 - Hand rearing birds second

448 Hand-Rearing Birds

Table 27.3 Feeding schedule for Eurasian Collared Doves.

Diet for chicks under 40 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 (CC) Hours between feeds
15 1.5–2 1
25 2–3 1–2
35 4 2
For chicks over 40 g, feed exact only: DO NOT FEED COLD EXACT
40 4–5 2
45 4.5–5.5 2
50 5–6 2
55 5.5–6.5 2
60 6–7 3
65 6.5–7.5 3
70 7–8 3
75 8.5–9.5 3
80 9–10 3
85 9.5–10.5 3
Juvenile birds over 90 g will usually self‐feed unless debilitated.
90 10–11 3
100 11–12 3
110 12–13 3
120 13–14 3
At 130 g, do not tube unless bird is debilitated. Healthy juveniles will self‐feed.
130 14–15 x3/day
140 15 x3/day
Source: information courtesy of the Wildlife Care Association in Sacramento, CA.

will stimulate many young columbids to gape; this simulates the way adult birds feed their chicks.
Advance the tube slowly until ruffling of the feathers over the crop is observed. If at any time there
is resistance, stop and remove the tube. Once in the crop, the tip of the tube can be seen or felt
through the skin. If the tube cannot be felt, or there is any uncertainty of position, remove it and
try again. Malpositioning of the tube can cause the bird to inhale formula (aspiration) and is poten-
tially fatal. When the tube is in place, deliver the formula steadily into the crop. Make sure the tube
does not slip out from the crop and that there is no formula welling up in the mouth. If any food
pools in the bird’s mouth, pull the tube immediately and set the bird down to allow it to clear its
glottis. If the bird cannot quickly do so, wipe the mouth out with a cotton‐tip applicator and give it
time to recover. If a bird aspirates such that formula reaches deeper respiratory structures and can-
not be cleared, it should be started on antibiotics.