Lexi Webster
In the first few days of a baby pigeon's life, they receive what is known as crop milk or pigeon milk, produced by the parent. This is followed by a diet of very thin food, which is gradually thickened over the first 10 days. Baby pigeons are altricial, which means they are relatively undeveloped when they hatch and rely on their parents for food and warmth. In the absence of parental care, baby pigeons can be fed a mix of pigeon formula and warm water, or wheat flour, with the consistency of yogurt or ketchup. As they grow older, they can be fed defrosted corn and peas, served warm, and seeds, grains, and finely chopped fruits and vegetables.
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What You'll Learn
Baby pigeon formula
Baby pigeons, or squabs, are born blind and helpless, and rely on their parents for food and warmth. If you are raising a baby pigeon, you will need to purchase a baby bird formula from a pet store or online. You can also make your own formula at home, although this can be complicated.
Preparing the Formula
First, dilute the formula with water. The mixture should initially be very thin, with a skim milk or yogurt consistency. Over the next 10 days, gradually thicken the formula until it reaches a ketchup consistency. The formula should be warm, about the same temperature as a human baby's milk. You can also use wheat flour if you cannot find pigeon formula.
Feeding the Pigeon
Use a syringe or a plastic bag to feed the pigeon. Pigeons eat every few hours, and during the first week of its life, you will need to feed it four times a day. Warm the pigeon with a heating lamp or pad before feeding, as they cannot digest properly when they are cold.
Weaning
After the first week, you can begin to mix in seeds and grains intended for pigeons. Finely chopped vegetables and small amounts of fruit can also be offered, but avoid pale vegetables such as lettuce and celery, as these have little nutritional value. Dairy products should be avoided or consumed in moderation, as birds are lactose intolerant.
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Fruits and vegetables
Baby pigeons require a diet that is high in protein and nutrients. Suggested fruits include apples, cherries (without the pit), pears, apricots, coconut, bananas, figs, pineapple, plums, pomegranates, dates, grapes, grapefruit, kiwi, blueberries, melons, mangoes, nectarines, strawberries, oranges, cantaloupe, papaya, and peaches. These can be blended or mixed with a baby bird formula to create a thick but liquid consistency.
Suggested vegetables include Chinese vegetables (bok choy), peas, asparagus, peppers (red, green, and hot), corn, beans (cooked), cucumber, chickpeas, dandelion leaves, potatoes, lentils, endive, pumpkin, rapini, mung beans, rice (brown), soy, kale, romaine lettuce, beets, spinach, sprouted seeds, broccoli, squash, Brussels sprouts, cabbage, sweet potatoes, tomatoes, carrots, carrot tops, parsnips, and zucchini. These vegetables should be finely chopped or shredded into tiny, manageable pieces due to pigeons' small beaks.
Baby pigeons can also be fed puppy biscuits soaked in warm water until fluffy, defrosted corn and peas, and Quaker Oats Original made with warm water. It is important to ensure that the food is not too thick, as this can cause crop stasis or sour crop. The ideal temperature for baby pigeon food is 39 degrees Celsius, a bit warmer than human body temperature.
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Calcium supplements
Calcium is an essential mineral for pigeons, especially during their growth and development. While the precise calcium requirements for pigeons are unknown, it is clear that they need more calcium than what is provided by seeds alone. This is particularly true for racing pigeons, which have high skeletal growth rates.
It is important to note that calcium deficiency in pigeons can occur due to low calcium intake or excess dietary phosphorus. Insufficient Vitamin D3 can also lead to secondary calcium deficiency by impairing calcium absorption and bone formation. Therefore, it is recommended to provide supplements containing both calcium and Vitamin D3, such as cod liver oil, to ensure proper calcium utilization and prevent issues like brittle bones and soft-shelled eggs.
When providing calcium supplements, it is crucial to monitor the overall diet of the pigeon. Excess calcium can lead to reduced absorption of other essential nutrients, including phosphorus, magnesium, manganese, and zinc. As such, it is always recommended to consult an avian veterinarian to assess the unique dietary needs of your pigeon and determine the appropriate supplementation.
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'Pigeon milk'
Pigeon milk, also known as "crop milk", is a special slurry of food produced by parent doves to feed their young. This slurry is created from the lining of the parent's crop and is fed to the baby pigeon during the first three days of its life. The consistency of the pigeon milk is very thin, similar to skimmed milk, and is gradually thickened over the first 10 days until it reaches a consistency like that of ketchup.
Baby pigeons are altricial, meaning they are relatively undeveloped when they hatch and rely on their parents for food and warmth. During the first few days of a pigeon's life, the baby will receive crop milk from its parents. The parent pigeon will pump the crop milk into the baby's mouth when the baby places its beak inside the parent's mouth.
As baby pigeons grow, their diet can be gradually adjusted. After the initial days of consuming crop milk, baby pigeons can be fed a mixture of pigeon formula and warm water, with a consistency similar to yogurt or ketchup. It is important to ensure the baby pigeon is warm before feeding, as being too cold can impact their ability to digest food. Additionally, the temperature of the food should be around 39 degrees Celsius, slightly warmer than human body temperature.
For baby pigeons that are over two weeks old, their diet can include defrosted corn and peas, served warm. It is important to monitor the baby pigeon's crop to ensure the food is being digested properly and to prevent crop stasis or sour crop, which can occur if the food is too thick, too cold, or if the pigeon is too cold when fed.
Overall, pigeon milk is an essential part of the early diet of baby pigeons, providing them with the nourishment they need during their first few days of life.
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Commercial pigeon food
Seeds and grains
Commercial seed mixes typically include a variety of seeds and grains such as canary grass seed, Canadian field peas, white millet, red millet, milo, wheat, green peas, canary seeds, oats, safflower seeds, and popcorn. These mixes provide a natural source of protein, fibre, oils, and other nutrients essential for pigeons' health.
Pellets
Pelleted diets are also a popular option for pigeons. Pellets are designed to provide a complete and balanced nutrition in a single package. They typically contain a mix of seeds, grains, and other ingredients, such as brewer's yeast, vitamins, and minerals. Pellets are a good option for ensuring pigeons consume all the necessary nutrients, as they tend to selectively eat only certain seeds when given a seed mix.
Supplements
In addition to commercial pigeon food, some bird owners choose to supplement their pigeons' diets with fresh fruits and vegetables. It is important to finely chop or shred these items into tiny pieces to ensure the pigeons can easily pick them up and consume them. Avocado should be avoided, as it is potentially toxic to birds. Dairy products should also be limited, as birds are lactose intolerant. It is generally not recommended to feed pigeons junk food, chocolate, salty snacks, alcoholic drinks, or products containing caffeine, as these may be harmful to their health.
When feeding pigeons, it is essential to provide fresh, clean water at all times. Using bottled water may be preferable, depending on the quality of your tap water. Dishes should be thoroughly cleaned daily with soap and water to prevent the spread of bacteria and germs.
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Frequently asked questions
Baby pigeons, or squabs, require a specialised diet as they have unique nutritional needs. In their first few days, they are fed "crop milk" or "pigeon milk" by their parents, which is produced from the lining of the parent's crop. After this, they are gradually weaned onto thicker food with the consistency of ketchup. Baby pigeons can be fed commercial baby bird formula, which should be mixed with warm water to a temperature of 39-40°C. This can be substituted with wheat flour or puppy biscuits in an emergency. Once they are two weeks old, they can be fed defrosted corn and peas.
Baby pigeon food should be very thin and gradually thickened over the first 10 days to the consistency of skimmed milk, and then to the consistency of ketchup.
Baby pigeons eat every few hours.
You should check the pigeon's "crop" to ensure it is emptying properly before each feed. The crop should feel flat before the next feed.
In an emergency, you can feed baby pigeons wheat flour or puppy biscuits soaked in warm water.
