Baby dove birds are very cute natural creatures. They are very fragile and need special attention. If you have a baby dove bird you just have to know how to take care of baby dove birds after they are born. In the previous article, we discussed how long do baby bird stay with their mother. In this article, we will discuss how to take care of baby dove birds.
Guide on how to take care of a baby dove bird
1. Abandoned newborns
Baby doves that fall from their nests can be replaced. The parents will not give up on their children because you’ve touched them If you find a nest of mourning doves whose nest is on the ground, you may want to repair and replace the nesting material. Observe the nest and make sure the parents return to take care of the babies. Another alternative is to feed the babies with a bottle. Raising baby birds takes about four weeks. Mourning doves will reward you for your patience.
2. Feeding baby birds
You should provide food for the baby dove as soon as possible. You can give them seeds or solid food that they can easily eat. Make sure the food is clean before feeding it to the baby. Do not put anything in its mouth that could cause choking. A baby bird needs food every two hours until it reaches six months old. Remember to keep the food away from heat sources such as radiators and ovens.
3. Cleaning baby dove
After feeding the baby dove bird, you need to clean it thoroughly. Use a soft-bristle brush or a soft cloth. Never use harsh chemicals like soap or detergent. Be careful when cleaning the eyes. If you accidentally touch the eye, rinse immediately with water. When cleaning the feet, use a soft broom or dustpan. Avoid using a vacuum cleaner since it might damage the delicate feathers.
4. Watering baby dove
when the baby dove bird is ready to drink water, place a shallow dish of freshwater next to his cage. Never let the baby bird stand in the water longer than five minutes at a time. Also, don’t allow him to drink from a puddle or pond. He might swallow some dirty water.
5. Prevent disease
To prevent diseases, you can consult with your veterinarian. Your vet can tell you what kind of medication or vaccination you should give the baby bird. The vaccine will protect baby birds against certain types of illness.
6. Keep the baby bird safe
When taking care of a baby bird, you need to ensure that he stays safe. You need to keep them safe in places that predators cannot reach. Place the birdcage near a window so that sunlight can enter the room. This will help the baby bird grow healthy.
7. Provide shelter
When caring for baby birds, you also need to provide them with shelter. A large aviary provides more space for the baby bird. However, if you only have a small cage, you can use a cardboard box and cover it the top with newspaper. Make sure there are no holes in the box.
8. Monitor the temperature
While caring for baby birds, it’s important to monitor the temperature inside the cage. You should avoid keeping the cage too hot or cold. Heat makes the baby bird uncomfortable while cold makes it shiver. So, you need to monitor the temperature that birds keep warm.
What is the mortality rate of a newborn baby dove?
It is very pathetic that most of the baby doves can’t survive due to their weak immune system. Only 30% of babies survive until they are two weeks old. By the end of the second week, only 1% of babies survive.
How often do baby dove bird need to feed?
Baby doves need to be fed twice a day. They usually start eating solid foods after three days of age. Feed them once in the morning and once in the evening.
What type of food should I feed my baby dove?
You can feed your baby dove with any type of seed. Seeds include sunflower, millet, wheat, corn, oats, rice, soybeans, and many others. You can mix different kinds of seeds together to create a new diet for your baby dove.
When should I stop giving baby dove bird food?
You should stop providing food for your baby dove when it reaches six months old unless you want to continue raising it. At this time, the baby dove has grown bigger and stronger. It now requires less food.
How long does it take for baby dove to mature?
It takes about one year for a baby dove to fully mature. The first year is crucial because it determines how well the baby dove will survive outside. Once the baby dove reaches maturity, you can release it into the wild.
Final thought
Baby doves are not easy to raise. If you want to raise a baby dove, you must prepare yourself mentally and physically to handle all the challenges involved. It may seem like an easy task but it takes lots of patience and dedication. By following this article, you can learn more about baby doves and we hope now you can take good care of your baby dove.
