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Kyle^Ravin Inner circle I slammed my head against 1070 Posts |
Hey guys, need a lil advice here... I purchased two dove chicks yesterday. They're about 2 weeks old or less. Pet shop knew nothing about them. So I'm hand feeding them now... But I'm curious, without the mother bird helpin, like my other chicks, how do I get them weaned onto seeds. Help appreciated. I don't want my babies to suffer. Thank you
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Dave Scribner Assistant Manager Lake Hopatcong, NJ 4849 Posts |
Kyle, if you are hand feeding them, you should continue to do that for about 4-5 weeks. Then gradually introduce them to seed by holding it in your hand and bringing them close to it. Start reducing the amount of handfeeding and only offer seed. They will start transitioning on their own once they realize that the liguid hand feeding is over. Tha't what parent birds do. They ignore the reqeusts of the baby and force it to eat on it's own.
Where the magic begins
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MagicWGH Regular user Covington, LA 165 Posts |
Yikes! Good luck with that. You should have some very tame and well trained birds.
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Dave Scribner Assistant Manager Lake Hopatcong, NJ 4849 Posts |
Kyle,make sure you keep them very warm. That's almost as important with birds that young as feeding them.
Where the magic begins
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haywire Special user Philadelphia 760 Posts |
Kyle,
Wow you will really have some tame birds after that, your their mama now. Good luck! Steven |
Dave Scribner Assistant Manager Lake Hopatcong, NJ 4849 Posts |
This is a prime example of why it is not recommended to buy doves from a pet shop. They said they knew nothing about the birds but you said they were only 2 weeks old. Pet shops usually don't buy newborns and they should know something about who they are buying them from.
What for any signs of disease, respiratory problem and lice or mites. It might be a little different in singapore but it never hurts to be careful.
Where the magic begins
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Kyle^Ravin Inner circle I slammed my head against 1070 Posts |
Hey people... got some updates. I agree... most pet shops here are goofballs... I knw the chicks are about two weeks old as I've had chicks before. So, these two guys I got eh... pretty interesting. In fact, I've never seen this behavior in any doves. One of the chicks is fine. But the other, (here's the interesting part) PECKS like a chicken! Issnt it strange for such a young bird to "Hate" humans so much? The bird was ok in the Pet store. But at home, the dude is a little chicken on steroids. in fact, I should take a video of it. probably combine it with Sperry's flyback techniques. So we'll see the whole taming and training process...
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Ryan Price Special user winnipeg, MB, Canada 641 Posts |
Since we are talking about chicks and hand feeding I thought I would ask my question.
I have some recent hatchlings. They hatched at the beginning of the month so they are around 3 weeks old. My question pertains to the smaller of the two. This one is about half the size of the other. Should I be attempting to care (hand feeding) for this one personally? This is my first pair as I let the parents keep one egg and raise that chick before. I have another question as well. What’s the best way to figure out sex early on in life? I know the obvious signs of size and mating rituals but I would like to keep the female and sell the male. Also is it common to just have one sex per batch or is it usually 50/50? Thanks |
Dave Scribner Assistant Manager Lake Hopatcong, NJ 4849 Posts |
Ryan, it is not unusual for one of the chicks in a pair to be smaller. Keep an eye out and make sure the parents are attending to both birds. If you see they are ignoring the little one, then you can consider hand feeding and rearing.
Sexing has been discussed many times in this forum. There really is no sure fire way to determine sex. You can watch their habits, watch for bowing and cooing, wait for them to lay an egg (this can happen at just a few months old)or you can take them to vet for a test. As they grow older, females tend to be a bit smaller than males.
Where the magic begins
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Bob Sanders Grammar Supervisor Magic Valley Ranch, Clanton, Alabama 20504 Posts |
Sexing doves is possible at the clinical level but simply not economically realistic. Life is seldom as fair as 50/50 odds anyway. The costs of being wrong are easily overcome.
Enjoy your doves. Bob Sanders Magic By Sander |
Autumn Morning Star Grammar Hostess Today, I corrected grammar in 1378 Posts |
According to most literature, one dove will lay two eggs and the offspring will be one male and one female. I am sad the pet store let you have the babies, unweaned, at two weeks. Hopefully, you will be able to raise them well.
I worry a bit about the smaller chick. Sometimes, the larger chick will squish the other. Sometimes, the smaller chick simply dies. I am not sure why this happens, but this seems to be the way nature moves in the Circle of Life. It is very common for the babies to puff up and snap at you. This is how they defend themselves when they are alone. Let them puff up and snap at you without withdrawing your hand. This snappy-puffy stage shall pass.
Wonder is very necessary in life. When we're little kids, we're filled with wonder for the world - it's fascinating and miraculous. A lot of people lose that. They become cynical and jaded, especially in modern day society. Magic renews that wonder.
Doug Henning |
Ryan Price Special user winnipeg, MB, Canada 641 Posts |
Unfortunately the smaller of the two didn’t make it. At least I will know for next time to step in and maybe start hand feeding. I hope the remaining one is female.
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Autumn Morning Star Grammar Hostess Today, I corrected grammar in 1378 Posts |
Actually, I have found that males make a more calm bird onstage. They are just like big puppy dogs! I absolutely prefer a male bird, hands down! Many female birds are much more prone to blast off when produced.
The only minus is that males tend to coo a bit more, but both male AND female do coo! You can easily find your adult male bird if you watch, because he will do more of a courtship dance. He will flip the tips of his wings and bob up and down when doing his courtship ritual. He does not even need to be in the presence of a female. He will do this dance anywhere, anytime.
Wonder is very necessary in life. When we're little kids, we're filled with wonder for the world - it's fascinating and miraculous. A lot of people lose that. They become cynical and jaded, especially in modern day society. Magic renews that wonder.
Doug Henning |
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