Do you have a pet dove? Are you worried about your baby dove that what do you feed it? If yes, then you are in the right place. Feeding a baby dove is very easy and if it has grown full feathered then you can feed it without any hassles. In the previous article, we discussed about take care of a baby dove bird. In this article, we will discuss what do you feed a baby dove that is fully feathered. So, let’s get started.
What Do you feed a Baby Dove that is Fully Feathered
1. Fresh Vegetables
A fully feathered can eat everything. Their beaks become strong and they can eat anything from fresh vegetables like carrots, cucumber, pumpkin etc. You can feed them these veggies on daily basis. They also enjoy eating fruits like apples, oranges, bananas etc. These veggies and fruits are rich in vitamins which help to keep their body healthy. It is important for baby birds to eat good food as they grow up fast.
2. Grains
This is another great food for baby birds. The grains contain proteins that help to make hair and feathers. You can feed them with different types of grains like corn, wheat, rice, oats, barley etc. As a result, you can see a baby dove with beautiful plumage.
3. Breadcrumbs
This is one of the most common foods given to baby birds. Breadcrumbs are made by crushing bread into fine crumbs. It is not only nutritious but also tasty. You can use breadcrumbs to feed your baby dove.
4. Nuts
Baby dove like nuts. There are different types of nuts available on the market. You can feed them almonds, cashew, walnut, pistachio etc. These nuts are rich in protein and fat which helps to build muscles and bones.
5. Eggs
This is another great source of nutrition for baby birds. You can easily find eggs in grocery stores. You can buy eggshells and crush them into small pieces. Then you can feed them to your baby dove.
6. Meat
Yes, meat is also good food for baby doves. But, you need to know how to prepare it. You can cook chicken, beef, fish, lamb etc. Make sure you don’t overcook it because it may harm your baby bird.
7. Fish
This is another great option for feeding babies. You can feed them live fish or frozen fish fillets. Just remember to remove all bones before giving them to your baby dove so that it does not choke.
8. Chicken Soup
This is yet another great food for baby doves that you can feed them. You just need to boil some chicken soup and add some water. After boiling, you can cool the mixture and serve it to your baby dove. It is the easiest way to feed a baby dove.
9. Provide water
Water is essential for every living being including baby doves. Always provide clean and fresh water to your baby dove. Never give tap water to your baby dove as it may cause health problems.
10. Vitamins
Vitamin supplements are also necessary for baby doves. You can get vitamin supplements from a pet store. Before giving them vitamins you can consult with a vet. Vitamin will help your baby dove to stay healthy and grow faster.
Diet routine of a baby dove
1. Feeding time
At first, you must start feeding your baby dove at night. When they wake up in the morning, they feel hungry. So, it is better to feed them during this time.
2. Food selection
Choose healthy food for your baby dove. Don’t choose junk food. Junk food includes chips, candy, soda etc. These items are harmful to your baby dove.
3. Quantity
Always feed your baby dove in small quantities. If you feed them too much then it may lead to obesity.
4. Variety
Give variety in food. It means if your baby dove likes sweet food then you should offer them both sweets and fruits.
5. Frequency
You should not give them the same food all time. If you give the variation of food according to routine, they will have a taste.
6. Cleanliness
Keep their cage clean and free from any kind of dirt. Dirty cages may affect the growth of your baby dove.
How often should I feed my fully feathered baby dove?
It is very important to feed your baby dove properly. you can feed them once a day but it depends on their age. For example, when they are one week old, you can feed them twice a day. When they reach 2 weeks old, you can feed them three times a day. And when they are 3 weeks old, you can only feed them once a day.
What are the best types of food for fully feathered baby doves?
The best type of food you can identify by their food habit. You have to look up which type of food they are liked. Then you can easily identify what food is best for them. For example, if your baby dove loves apples, then you can buy apples. Similarly, if they like carrots, then you can use carrots.
Is there anything special about feeding a baby dove?
Yes, there are many things that you need to keep in mind while feeding your baby dove. Here we mention a few points that you need to know.
- Make sure that your baby dove has enough space to move around. They should be able to fly freely.
- Do not feed them more than two hours after eating.
- Avoid feeding them before sleeping.
- Never feed them sugar or honey.
- Never feed them salt.
- Do not feed them dry food. Dry food contains fewer nutrients so you should avoid using it.
- Do not feed them raw meat. Raw meat is not good for them.
Can I feed my baby dove insects?
You cannot feed them insects because they contain salmonella bacteria. Salmonella bacteria cause serious diseases in human beings. Also, it is dangerous for baby doves. So, don’t feed them insects.
Final thought
Feeding a full feather baby dove is very easy. But it requires some effort and patience. In this article, we discussed what do you feed your fully feathered baby dove and their diet routine. We hope that you learned something new and it will be helpful for you to feed your fully feathered baby dove.
