|
|
Regan Inner circle U.S.A. 5726 Posts |
Finally....after trying for over 2 years....I have a baby dove! I kind of wish it had waited until next spring, but I'll have to make the best of the upcoming winter temperatures. Now I need some help.
I may be wrong, but I seem to remember some of my dove DVDs recommending they be about 6 weeks old before subjecting them any training sessions, but how old does the baby dove need to be before it should be handled? When do I need to offer it food and water? Can it eat the same seed as the adult doves? Any and all tips would be appreciated. Thanks! Regan
Mister Mystery
|
Dave Scribner Assistant Manager Lake Hopatcong, NJ 4849 Posts |
Regan, congratulations. Now the fun begins. Your baby will feed from the mother and father for the first 6 or 7 weeks, then they'll start ignoring it so it starts eating on it's own. He'll eat the same seed as the parents. Don't worry if it seems like he's not eating. He'll bother the parents but they'll ignore it. When it's hungry, it will eat.
Yes, wait about 6 weeks before handling it and beginning the training.
Where the magic begins
|
Regan Inner circle U.S.A. 5726 Posts |
Thanks Dave. Is it common to have only one baby? Usually my doves will lay 2 eggs, but I'm not sure if there were 2 this time or not. It is the first time any ever hatched, and quite frankly, I was stunned. I had tried to obtain a male dove for a long time. I finally got one that I was fairly sure was a male about a year ago, but I had about giving up on him breeding. It took him a while, but I guess he finally found a mate.
How long does it take for the feathers to fully grow in?
Mister Mystery
|
tropicalillusions Special user Tulsa Okla 631 Posts |
Congrats on your new soon to be feathered friend. Enjoy the growth process, fun to watch all the changes. when the parents ween him or her off and you notice hime eating on his own have fun with feeding him or her from your hand, will create a great bond.
|
Dave Scribner Assistant Manager Lake Hopatcong, NJ 4849 Posts |
Regan, it's not uncommon for a day or two to pass between eggs. I've had birds though that did only lay 1 egg at a time. In about a week or so, you'll see some feather stubble and in a few weeks, the feathers will be visible. By 6 or 7 weeks, the bird should look pretty well feathered except for under the wings. That is usually the last place the feathers will grow.
Where the magic begins
|
Regan Inner circle U.S.A. 5726 Posts |
Thanks guys. So, should I just watch and see when the parents stop feeding it, and then try to offer food? What about water? When will it need to drink?
Mister Mystery
|
tropicalillusions Special user Tulsa Okla 631 Posts |
He will peck at the seed when the parents ignore him, they will have him watch them at the feed bowl, this little guy will catch on, then you will watch him go for the seed himself. All is natural, you will definately pick up on all the different stages. you sound like a worried father..LOL sit back and enjoy.
|
Kingry Elite user Virginia 464 Posts |
Never had much luck with the parents feeding the baby. Hope yours are better parents. Finally figured out how to hand feed the young ones. Have not lost one since. Email if you need help in this area.
|
Dave Scribner Assistant Manager Lake Hopatcong, NJ 4849 Posts |
Quote:
On 2011-11-17 17:16, Kingry wrote: Very unusual. Most doves are natural parents and begin feeding right away. Hand feeding is nice if you have the time but I've always found that letting the parents do the work is very natural. Regan, as Chris said, just sit back and relax. It will be fun to watch what happens and the baby grows. When the time comes, the parents will know when to stop feeding the baby. don't be concerned. The baby will cry and cry looking for a "hand out, or beak out in this case but just leave it alone. It's part of the training the he must go through. The parents won't let it starve but will be strict above removing the free meal.
Where the magic begins
|
MagicalMotivator Veteran user 310 Posts |
Regan,
As others have said - enjoy. I have over 16 doves now and over half of them are from egg. Nature must take its course here - if the young one is meant to survive it will (and ususally does). The cool part is when they first open their eyes. After that they will start to get some body weight and feathers (good sign that their internal functions are in order). I have found a rule of thumb for critical time line survivial is first 24 hrs - then 48 - then first week - then second - if they get past this they will most likely survive. The good news is (provided you want them to hatch) that once this happens it will continue. However if you do get into breeding NEVER let them cross breed!! Again enjoy and good luck. MM |
Regan Inner circle U.S.A. 5726 Posts |
Thanks to everyone for all the excellent advice and encouragement. I hate to have to post this, but my baby dove didn't make it. I am really disappointed, but maybe it will work out better next time. This was the first time one had hatched, so I guess that's a start.
Thanks once again.
Mister Mystery
|
Dave Scribner Assistant Manager Lake Hopatcong, NJ 4849 Posts |
Sorry to hear that Regan. It's always a disappointment when a little one doesn't make it. Did it die in the nest or was it kicked out? Sometimes that happens when the parents are experienced. They get over enthusiastic and the result is often a disaster. If your nest was too small, it is also possible that one of the parents, usually the male stepped on it. Again, inexperience.
Where the magic begins
|
MagicalMotivator Veteran user 310 Posts |
Regan,
Very sorry. It is quite sad when it happens. But there really is nothing you can do. It is nature. They do need to get through the first two weeks more or less on their own. However you do know your doves are fertile and this can happen again if you so wish. In regards to Dave's comments, it is easier when you have two eggs and they both hatch. Two young ones provide constant stimulus for the mom and dad to follow through on what they need to do. If you would like any further advice or help feel free to PM me. Again very sorry, MM |
tropicalillusions Special user Tulsa Okla 631 Posts |
Sorry to hear Regan, we have a lot of pairs, and always nice to see eggs hatch, but some are always lost it seems. many things to watch for... parents not quite up to par, small nest, etc. and sometimes...... just mother nature taking its course. sorry to hear the young one did not make it, but soon enough another set of eggs will come. make sure your doves have a good diet, grit or gravel, crushed egg shell will do as well, and help build the strength of their future egg shell. We just lost a young one ourself, pretty much the same issue. wish you the best in the future with your doves
|
Regan Inner circle U.S.A. 5726 Posts |
Thanks so much guys. The parents kicked this one out of the nest. Or at least I guess they did. I came out one morning and the baby dove was out of the nest, on the cage floor, and dead. It had gotten pretty cold here that night too, so I was worried about that. Thanks once again. The guys are the best!
Mister Mystery
|
The Magic Cafe Forum Index » » Polly wants a cracker... » » My First Baby Dove! (0 Likes) |
[ Top of Page ] |
All content & postings Copyright © 2001-2024 Steve Brooks. All Rights Reserved. This page was created in 0.03 seconds requiring 5 database queries. |
The views and comments expressed on The Magic Café are not necessarily those of The Magic Café, Steve Brooks, or Steve Brooks Magic. > Privacy Statement < |