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robert m asked in PetsBirds · 1 decade ago

How to feed a young dove?

I found a baby dove on my front porch. well...not quite a baby. It looks to be about one week from flying. I HAD to take it in as the cats would have killed it. What should I feed it until it can fly away. It is wild and I have NO desire to make a pet. I only want it to live to see a free life.

2 Answers

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  • Suzi Q
    Lv 6
    1 decade ago
    Favorite Answer

    If you want it free, you need to leave it outdoors in the wild, where it belongs. You won't be helping it by keeping it in captivity - in fact you'll be ruining it's chances of survival. Doves stay with their parents long after they learn to fly, and it's essential that they remain together. The parents are the ones who will teach it how to find safe food, water, shelter...and how to spot and avoid predators. Without this education, the dove will not survive. Letting it go after it learns to fly will mean sure death...probably from starvation.

    Taking it from the wild is illegal. If caught you will be fined and/or jailed. All native wild birds are protected by law. You can't have it in your possession - for any reason.

    Return the bird to it's parents immediately. That is the the only good option.

    You wouldn't be able to care for this bird anyway. Doves and pigeons are fed predigested food that is regurgitated by the parents. In order to feed it, you would need a specific recipe to replace the parent's food, and you'd need to tube-feed. Unless you are an expert - you will fail, and the dove will die in your hands.

    Your interference will mean death for the bird.

    If the cats are yours, bring them indoors. Wildlife belongs outdoors, domestic cats do not.

  • Anonymous
    1 decade ago

    Try feeding it a little bit of damp bread for now. Then later you should buy some sort of bird formula at a pet store or other pet place.

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