|
|
iwillfoolu Special user Upstate NY, USA 746 Posts |
Having recently aquired a few doves, I have a few questons you may be able to answer.
1) How long before clipped wings grow back? 2) I am training my dove via Tony Clark's return flight programe, but some of the time they land on my forearm instead of my hand/fingers. This happens when I am doing a four foot flight. Is there any way to help "correct" this? 3) Why won't my doves take a bath? Any help is extremely appreciated Thanks Joe, Mica, Zoonie, Boku, & Orzo |
Dave Scribner Assistant Manager Lake Hopatcong, NJ 4849 Posts |
The time to grow back clipped wings varies on the how far back they were clipped. I have never clipped the wings of my birds so I'm not too sure about that.
The key to getting the birds to always return to your finger or hand is practice. As you see the bird coming back, if it is heading towards your arm, move a little, so he lands on the hand. Keep practicing and it will learn. Remember, they have personalities and will do what they want sometimes. If it does land on your arm, just use it and make it seem like that is what you wanted. Watch Tony's video and you'll see that once in awhile, his bird doesn't come to him at all but flys to a cage or prop. Again, use that to your advantage. You'll appear to be an expert bird manipulator. Bathing is a mystery. If I spray my birds, they act like they don't like it. I have a large dish that is meant for under plants and I put it on the floor with water in it. I then pour in more water and the birds can't fly to it fast enough. It is really quite comical to see. I leave the water there for about 30 minutes until they are done. I have 21 birds right now so the dish gets pretty full. There are other methods such as putting them in the bath tub under a spray but the bowl seems to work best. If yours still won't bathe, just make sure you spray them down either with water or bath spray for birds. They need the moisture to preen properly.
Where the magic begins
|
omnibozo Regular user Boulder, CO 151 Posts |
Make sure it is warm enough in the room, or outside... and that the birds have protection from the wind. Water temperature may be too cold for them too. I have never had them not bathe... as mentioned in an earlier post... they love the water... and it is really fun to watch them splash around in it!
|
R2 Special user 935 Posts |
Try this with a dove of a known sex....
Place the bird on your finger..... Watch it's tail feathers...... If the tail feathers remain in an almost horizontal position it is a female.... If the tail clearly points downward then, suspect this dove to be male.... Please let me know how this test fares for all whom shall try? Do not leave food lying around the cages for them to pick at all day... This will make them eager to perform and practice any excercise which has food morsels as a reward.... Try using mealworms as a reward to efforts and successful finger landings.... They love mealworms.... At first just slip the worms into the cage and allow each dove to see that mealworms are only found within your Hands.... shorten the distance from the toss of the worms to the doves gradually... day to day. Stand as still as possible during this exercise. Gradually shorten the distance and finally stop tossing the mealworms onto the cage floor... only allow servings from your fingers. Then gradually allow them to see that mealworms are only to be found outside the cage and in your fingers..... Follow the evolution exercise from cage to external cage area to flight, and then flight to return area on your fingers.... I have a few doves who enjoy peanut butter and hard boiled eggs. Doves do not like standing water like pigeons do... they prefer a light mist. The doves also prefer humid heat versus a dry heat. Hope to have helped just a bit... please let us know if you need further guidance for your new doves.... It is out of love and genuine care that we are here to serve the animals in our lives. |
Dave Scribner Assistant Manager Lake Hopatcong, NJ 4849 Posts |
Good advice, ReyRey. I've been working with doves for years and forgot all about mealworms. Like yours, my doves like hard boiled eggs. They also get apples and red leaf lettuce. Ever try partially frozen peas? My birds go crazy over them. I just taken the frozen peas, defrost them a little in the microwave and set out a plate.
Dave
Where the magic begins
|
R2 Special user 935 Posts |
Great going Dave, we found something new and inexpensive for them to chomp down on.. Peas... I like this one. Thanks!
Dave have you tried my sex determination test? Don't laugh! I mean for the doves man! Let me know if it rings true? |
Dave Scribner Assistant Manager Lake Hopatcong, NJ 4849 Posts |
I haven't tried your sex determination method but I did find one that has been pretty much fool proof for me. I just name the bird. If I pick Alice, it turns out to be Alex. Pete became Petricia, Mike turned out to be Michelle. With 21 birds in my basement, I don't intend to need any method for awhile but I'll keep yours on file for future. Actually, I've been pretty lucky just by watching their behaviors.
Dave
Where the magic begins
|
joseph Eternal Order Please ignore my 17407 Posts |
Mark Moran from the pet shop tv show, says to get an atomizer, put some hot water in it, and spray mist a couple times on each bird daily.
"Everything should be made as simple as possible, but no simpler." (Einstein)...
|
Dave Scribner Assistant Manager Lake Hopatcong, NJ 4849 Posts |
The misting is also a good idea after practicing for awhile. It cools the birds down after an exhausting work out.
Where the magic begins
|
victorkent New user Narnia 76 Posts |
On the subject of food. A little old lady who lives in the hills near me, told me, and it has proven to be true, that doves love scrambled eggs (no salt, pepper or cooking oil or butter). They really devour it up!
-vk
John 3:16
http://www.victorkent.com http://www.kentfamilyillusionshow.com [email]victor@victorkent.com[/email] |
BenSchwartz Elite user Southern California 499 Posts |
I feed my birds Snickers and every once in awhile I put a big slab of butter in their food dish.....
"The experience of astonishment is the experience of a clear, primal state of mind that they associate with a child's state of mind." ---- Paul Harris
|
Dave Scribner Assistant Manager Lake Hopatcong, NJ 4849 Posts |
Victor: I've never tried scrambled eggs but my doves do love hard boiled eggs. I just break them up in a dish, shells and all. The shells are good for their digestion and the eggs are a good treat. One of my birds the other day had a large piece of egg in it's bill. I thought it was stuck and tried to take it away. The bird pecked at me and told me in bird language to "leave my egg alone"
Ben: Butter in the dish. Keeps them regular huh, like a bird needs help to keep regular.
Where the magic begins
|
EranRaven New user 53 Posts |
The bird is landing on your forearm rather then your finger, probably because it is more comfortable for her. Your thumb might be poking her as she lands on your finger.
Get her used to standing on your finger. Hold her there for extended periods of time |
victorkent New user Narnia 76 Posts |
Dave, "Let go of My egg-0!"
-vk
John 3:16
http://www.victorkent.com http://www.kentfamilyillusionshow.com [email]victor@victorkent.com[/email] |
Dave Scribner Assistant Manager Lake Hopatcong, NJ 4849 Posts |
good one Victor
Where the magic begins
|
victorkent New user Narnia 76 Posts |
Or "let go of my egg- OHH!" (the ohh being the raction of the peck!
John 3:16
http://www.victorkent.com http://www.kentfamilyillusionshow.com [email]victor@victorkent.com[/email] |
The Magic Cafe Forum Index » » Polly wants a cracker... » » Some questions about doves. (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 < |