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Eeyore
Gold Member
1181 Posts |
 Posted - 22 Mar 2007 : 09:14:38 AM
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My mum's cat delivered a baby bird onto her doorstep this morning. She thought it was dead but when she picked it up it started moving. The cat hasn't mauled it and it's very young, still has it's eyes closed. At the moment mum is keeping it warm and quiet, we can't find the nest that it has come from. We think it's either a wood pigeon or a collared dove but it looks more like a little dinosaur at the moment.
Now mum is at a loss as to what to do with it. What to feed it and how often? Advice please
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Heléna
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Edited by - Eeyore on 23 Mar 2007 08:58:38 AM
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unicorn leather
Bronze Member
England
229 Posts |
Posted - 22 Mar 2007 : 09:48:25 AM
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Don't wish to be a pessimist but most birds that young die from shock if nothing else, but you can try ringing your local RSPCA to see if they can help.There are rescue sanctuaries all over the place they may be able to direct you to. Young birds need a specialist diet to encourage them to grow and they are experts out there who can do this but don't get your hopes up too high. They are very fragile at that age.
Hope this is of some help?
Oz:)
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Traditional Working Saddler |
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LYNDILOU
Platinum Member
United Kingdom
13976 Posts |
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Karon
Gold Member
England
1411 Posts |
Posted - 22 Mar 2007 : 11:09:13 AM
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| If the RSPCA can't/won't help, try the RSPB or local wildlife sanctuaries. I'm afraid that most birds that age probably won't survive being brought in by a cat though. On the rare occasions my cats bring me in a baby bird I try to get it to an expert as quickly as I can. |
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Eeyore
Gold Member
1181 Posts |
Posted - 22 Mar 2007 : 11:50:51 AM
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Thanks for the advice
I've been searching on the internet and have found a nearby wildlife rescue centre so have passed their phone number onto my mum. I'm at work so can't do anything but hopefully they will be able to point her in the right direction.
I know most people wouldn't bother, it's only a common bird after all. But when I was watching it's little body move with each breath and heartbeat, it seemed so alive and so amazing |
Heléna
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Zan
Platinum Member
Scotland
3213 Posts |
Posted - 22 Mar 2007 : 12:02:57 PM
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Good for you
If it is definitely pigeon family, the best thing to feed it is small pieces of wholemeal bread soaked in room temp water. They don't gape like most baby birds ( pigeons make "crop milk" in their crops from grain and regurgitate it into their baby's beak), so it is necessary to open its beak firmly but carefully at the "hinge" and place the soggy bread well back into its mouth and it will swallow it.A few pieces every hour or so during day light hours. If your mum is going to do the whole rearing bit, a good vit supplement like Avimix should be added, but it won't matter in the short term if she can find a rescue who will take it. Be careful where it goes though, because the RSPCA and some others tend to destroy "pest" species . The only other thing to do is keep it warm with direct heat---either a heat lamp, heat pad, or well wrapped hot water bottle. Good luck  |
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arabic
Platinum Member
England
4562 Posts |
Posted - 22 Mar 2007 : 1:58:02 PM
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I echo what Zan says totally. Although most die of shock and stress, it is possible to rear them. Farleys rusks are an option and sometimes cat meat but if you stick with the wholemeal bread and a supplement, I am sure you wont go far wrong. Finches etc like the dried egg feed you can buy in petshops, just moisten it slightly. That is full of vitamins but Im not sure if its ok for the dove families.
Sandie |
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geegee
Platinum Member
England
3682 Posts |
Posted - 22 Mar 2007 : 2:41:31 PM
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Hi,
Found this bit of info for you, if it helps....
Pigeons and Doves
Baby pigeons and doves are different from all other British birds in that they are reared on a milky substance produced in their parents' throats. To rear them we use Tropican for very tiny pigeon, and ground corn mixed with water for larger birds. This mixture is then syringed straight into the pigeons crop. This should only be attempted by very experienced bird handlers.
I hope the local wildlife people can take it on for you, as it is so young.
I couldn't have left it for dead - bird flu or not, poor little thing.
Keep us posted |
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Zan
Platinum Member
Scotland
3213 Posts |
Posted - 22 Mar 2007 : 6:33:33 PM
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I should have perhaps added that I have hand reared more than 30 members of the pigeon family over the years in the manner I described. And I will certainly be hand rearing baby birds of all sorts as usual this spring, bird flu or no bird flu.
Hope the little guy is okay? |
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LYNDILOU
Platinum Member
United Kingdom
13976 Posts |
Posted - 22 Mar 2007 : 6:47:53 PM
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Well thats told me! I really do hope the little baby survives, however you must all be careful and at least wear gloves if you pick up birds, ( you cant look after your horses if you are 6 feet under ) |
   
www.dreamfield-arabians.com |
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geegee
Platinum Member
England
3682 Posts |
Posted - 23 Mar 2007 : 08:53:42 AM
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Strange that this topic came up. Hubby found an adult pigeon on the side of the road, yesterday, that couldn't fly. He took it to the vets and they said that it is ok but lost it flight feathers so we have it back at home with us until they grow and then we will release it.
We did this with a turn (sp?) last year and released it after 2 weeks. After an endless supply of pilchards it Was such a lovely feeling to watch him fly off.
Any news on your "little dinosaur"?
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Eeyore
Gold Member
1181 Posts |
Posted - 23 Mar 2007 : 08:55:51 AM
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Well, Lynda and Oz were right, baby bird didn't survive
My mum phoned the wildlife rescue centre and arranged to take him in. She got ready to go, went to check on him and he'd died
I think the shock of the cat grabbing him and the cold before he was found was too much.
He had even got a name - Dino 
At least we tried and now we know where to go if we find any injured wildlife. |
Heléna
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Edited by - Eeyore on 23 Mar 2007 08:57:31 AM |
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LYNDILOU
Platinum Member
United Kingdom
13976 Posts |
Posted - 23 Mar 2007 : 10:51:00 AM
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Oh bless him its always so sad when spring comes and new life is lost before its had a chance at life, you did your best for him, I love my cats but at times I hate them I am always rescuing little trembling mice from their evil games and they often deposit them in the kitchen so the poor little blighter's run the gauntlet between three cats who think its great fun, little bu..ers remember those gloves though all of you who pick up birds |
www.dreamfield-arabians.com |
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geegee
Platinum Member
England
3682 Posts |
Posted - 23 Mar 2007 : 11:22:46 AM
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oh well, wasn't meant to be, poor little 'un. At least he was given a chance.
Thanks for the update. |
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arabic
Platinum Member
England
4562 Posts |
Posted - 23 Mar 2007 : 11:32:27 AM
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| Awww poor Dino!!! I'm afraid not many survive the moggies clutches. We have an aviary and I have rescued a few and put them in with ours but very few success stories. At least you tried!! |
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Timberwolf
Gold Member
England
726 Posts |
Posted - 23 Mar 2007 : 3:03:07 PM
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Ah thats a real shame.
Atleast you tried! alot of people would have just lest it to die on its own in the cold.
Jackie. x |
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LYNDILOU
Platinum Member
United Kingdom
13976 Posts |
Posted - 23 Mar 2007 : 6:59:17 PM
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| if I find a bird that looks like it is not going to live, I take it to a quiet empty stable lay it down in the straw, and shut all the doors so that the cats cant bother it, I also leave some food and water near by if it is adult, if it is meant to be it will recover from the awful abuse of my cats, fly to the top of the stable and to freedom, if its going to die at least it will die in peace |
www.dreamfield-arabians.com |
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