How to Feed a Young Dove

Young doves in the wild are completely dependent on their mothers for nourishment. In order to feed their young, mother birds eat worms and insects then regurgitate the meal into the mouths of baby birds. If you are caring for a young dove, you can avoid this unappetizing feeding method by supplementing the young dove's diet with a milk-like formula that will meet the bird's nutritional needs until it is old enough to feed on birdseed.

Things You'll Need

  • Baby parrot food
  • Syringe
  • Finch birdseed
  • Rubber glove
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Instructions

    • 1

      Read the instructions on the packaging of the parrot food and mix ingredients appropriately. Warm the milky feed to 105 degrees F. Since food is warmed by the mother bird's belly when a baby bird is being fed in the wild, young doves are accustomed to warm feed. The baby dove may reject the food if not properly warmed.

    • 2

      Draw the formula into a plastic syringe. Gently touch the syringe to the corner of the bird's beak to stimulate opening of the beak and push the syringe plunger slowly, allowing a few drops of formula to enter the bird's mouth. Make sure the bird actively swallows the formula before proceeding with each drop.

    • 3

      Pay special attention to the bird's crop, which is the small sack of flesh under its beak. When the crop is full, the feeding should end. Feed the bird whenever you notice that the crop is empty. The bird should be fed every two to three hours.

    • 4

      Allow your bird to drink formula without the syringe once it is strong enough. Cut off the finger of a rubber glove and fill the small finger pocket with formula. Hold the rubber finger in front of your baby dove and allow the bird to take drinks of the formula until its crop is full.

    • 5

      Introduce birdseed into your baby dove's diet by gently opening its beak with the edge of your fingernail, placing one or two seeds inside the bird's mouth. Leave birdseed in your dove's cage so that it may feed as needed.

    • 6

      Place your baby dove in a cage with an adult dove so the bird can learn how to peck seed and drink water by watching the older dove.