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Luke Sherratt Loyal user The Isle Of Wight, England 246 Posts |
Hi everyone,
I got two doves about two weeks ago now and they have been settling in just fine with me. They are nice and warm and looked after. I have one male and one female. The are both hand reaered and trained for magic with another magician who Ibought them off. I have been training them to get used to me and ithas been going fantasticaly. But today I went down to see them and there where feathers nall over the place, the female has been pulling her feathers out from around her neck. I am really worried is there anything I can do to help? I have been taking all the right steps I have researched things thoroughly before I got them. Does any of you dove workers have any advice for me? If you do I will be forever in your debt. Best Wishes, Luke
We're 106 miles from Chicago, we have a full tank of gas, half a pack of cigarettes, it's dark and we're wearing sunglasses
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1906Alpha1906 Special user North Cacky Lack 516 Posts |
Hey Luke, from reading your post, it may be that you have it a little too warm where you have the doves. Doves will preen in climate change. Also, to get a little further info from you,
Are the feathers that are pulled out small puffy-looking feathers? or larger feathers? If they are pulled out from around the neck, that would mean that the other dove is pulling them out. They may be two males. |
Dave Scribner Assistant Manager Lake Hopatcong, NJ 4849 Posts |
They may also be mating. Feather picking is part of the ritual sometimes. It could also mean a vitamin deficiency. Make sure you are giving your birds a multivitamin, wheat germ etc. If the feathers are small and puffy as Alpha 1906 mentioned, you may be going through a moult which is a natural occurance and will pass with the dove growing nice new feathers.
Where the magic begins
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Luke Sherratt Loyal user The Isle Of Wight, England 246 Posts |
Phew I was getting worried for a minute. Wehave had some really hot weather lately I didn't actually think of that thanks a lot guys I think that is the problem. They are small puffy feathers I was just worried it was going to die or something.
Thanks guys, Luke
We're 106 miles from Chicago, we have a full tank of gas, half a pack of cigarettes, it's dark and we're wearing sunglasses
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Dave Scribner Assistant Manager Lake Hopatcong, NJ 4849 Posts |
Luke, get a small spray bottle and if the weather is hot, gently spray a mist over your birds during the day. It will cool them down and also encourage them to preen. They actually like the misting. Don't worry about getting them overly wet. They'll take the necessary actions to dry off. Just make sure that after misting, they are not in a draft. They're just like humans. Getting wet and then standing in a draft can give you quite a cold. Doves are already susceptable to respiratory infections so you don't want to increase the possibility.
This is also nice to do when practicing. After a short workout, try misting your dove. He'll begin to think of it as a reward and again will cool him down a bit.
Where the magic begins
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Bob Sanders Grammar Supervisor Magic Valley Ranch, Clanton, Alabama 20504 Posts |
Dave,
Doves do love to play in a sprinkle of water. I have one older female (Ethel) who makes watering difficult because she like to play in water from the hose. She will spot you coming with the waterhose to water the doves and meet you at the cage door with her wings up. Maybe she should have her own act! She would rather play in the water than be first to eat. Bob Sanders Magic By Sander |
Dave Scribner Assistant Manager Lake Hopatcong, NJ 4849 Posts |
Yup, when I had all my birds in one large aviary, my pied doves would do the same thing anytime I went in with water. If I put a container of water on the floor, they'd knock each other out of the way to get to the water. They'd wade in and lift one wing straight up
Where the magic begins
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1906Alpha1906 Special user North Cacky Lack 516 Posts |
Same here with the Doves playing in the water...they see me coming and they all lift one wing up....would be a great video to put up....its almost like a dance ritual..fun stuff....
Luke...Small puffy feathers - no worries....As Dave said, a cool mist will fix the issue to a degree, but its all normal.... |
Luke Sherratt Loyal user The Isle Of Wight, England 246 Posts |
Hi People,
I thought I had it cracked but it seems to have got worse. The feathers on the side of her head are coming out I can see her ears, under her wings is missing feathers too her neck is worse. I am starting to get really worried. I mean maybe I am just freaking cos they are my first doves maybe you can shed some light on it again. Thank you dave for suggesting the spray can idea Eldon(The male) loves it and is looking great. Starr(The Female) does have like little bits on the end of the spikey things growing back which I hope will grow back top be nice new feathers. She is still eating ok and everything. If this is how first time parents feel then I wil think twice before thinkingthey are nuerotic lol. Best Regards, Luke
We're 106 miles from Chicago, we have a full tank of gas, half a pack of cigarettes, it's dark and we're wearing sunglasses
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Dave Scribner Assistant Manager Lake Hopatcong, NJ 4849 Posts |
Luke, really sounds like your female is moulting which is a natural thing. They go through this every year. The little spikey things are new feathers. Just be patient.
Where the magic begins
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