How to Care for a Baby Mourning Dove

Mourning Doves frequently utilize the abandoned nests of other birds. These nests are not always in good condition. This, combined with the fact that mourning doves re-use nests for more than one clutch, often causes the nest to collapse and the chicks to become orphaned. Adult doves feed their chicks with a milky substance produced from glands in their crop and a similar formula will be required to raise an orphaned dove. Dove parents will also feed their young for almost a full month, which is the time frame needed to rear a mourning dove.

Things You'll Need

  • Shoe box with lid
  • Butter tub
  • Roll of paper hand towels
  • Box of soft tissues
  • Warm room, with door
  • 5cc syringe
  • Teaspoon
  • Rearing formula, "Kaytee Exact"
  • Clean saucer
  • Cup
  • Heating pad (optional)
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Instructions

    • 1

      Place two layers of paper towels on the bottom of a shoe box.

    • 2

      Punch 10 to 15 holes in the shoe box lid.

    • 3

      Remove and discard the lid from the butter tub. Place six to eight soft tissues into the butter tub.

    • 4

      Place the butter tub in the shoe box.

    • 5

      Place the mourning dove chick into the butter tub.

    • 6

      Replace the lid on the shoe box and place the shoe box in a warm room where small children or pets can't reach it.

    • 7

      Place approximately 1 tsp. of formula onto a clean saucer and add a few drops of water. Add water and stir until the mixture is just about to run off the spoon. Draw this mixture up into the 5cc syringe.

    • 8

      Fill the cup with hot water and place the syringe into the water. Remove the syringe after a minute and drip a tiny amount of formula onto your wrist. The formula is ready to use once it has reached body temperature.

    • 9

      Remove the chick from its butter tub and place the young bird on a piece of paper towel.

    • 10

      Pry open the chick's bill and drip formula into its mouth. Allow the chick to swallow after every few drops. The formula will be taken into the chick's pouch, which is located between its chest and mouth. Stop feeding once the pouch becomes distended. 2cc to 3cc is an acceptable amount for a very young chick. Increase this amount as the chick grows.

    • 11

      Remove the soiled tissues from the butter tub and replace these with new tissues.

    • 12

      Return the chick to its clean box. Feed the chick again in approximately four hours time. The chick will require four feeds per day.