How to Raise Baby Pigeons

Pigeons were at one time prized for their meat, but now are valued as pets. Keeping pigeons as pets has a long tradition. These birds adapt well to home life and their care is easy, making them a good choice for bird lovers. After owning pigeons for awhile, you may decide to rear a clutch of chicks for pleasure or profit. Caring for baby pigeons requires some investment of time and money, but in the end you'll have beautiful birds to enjoy for years to come.

Things You'll Need

  • 2-foot-by-2-foot-by-2-foot cage
  • Water bottle or heating pad
  • Feeding syringe
  • Baby pigeon formula
  • Bird vitamins
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Instructions

    • 1

      Keep the baby pigeons dry and safe. Pigeons kept indoors need a large cage. Provide a nest in the cage so that the mother can brood them if she is present. Keep the cage in a quiet place so the baby pigeons are not surrounded by loud noises. Clean up any water spills in the cage immediately and keep the cage as clean as possible. Change the papers in the cage daily.

    • 2

      Maintain a warm climate for the baby pigeons. Baby pigeons should be kept at a temperature of 80 degrees Fahrenheit. If the mother is present she will brood them and keep them warm, If not, a hot water bottle makes an economical choice for warming your birds. Make sure that you change the water at least every two hours to keep the babies warm. If using a heating pad, set it on the lowest setting. If neither of those are available, try a lamp with a 40 watt bulb that is adjusted to shine into the entire cage. Make sure the cage is not in a draft.

    • 3

      Feed the baby pigeons properly. You will need to purchase special formula for the babies at your local pet store or from an avian veterinarian. Formula should be at room temperature and no warmer. Administer the food with the syringe by opening the mouth a little and carefully inserting the syringe. Take your time and go carefully, squeezing a little formula down the baby's throat at a time. Feed the baby pigeons until the crop is full -- you can see the crop through the baby pigeon's skin on the throat. Do not feed them again until the crop is empty. You can start the weaning process at about four to five weeks after hatching. Separate the babies from the older birds and provide food and water in several areas of the cage so that the babies can easily find it. Provide a wild bird mix or a mix specially designed for pigeons. If the baby pigeons are kept indoors, you will also need to provide a vitamin supplement as your birds will not be able to produce enough vitamin D on their own.

    • 4

      Exercise your pigeons and give them an opportunity to fly. This is especially important for pigeons kept indoors. After the baby pigeons venture from the nest, allow them time out of the cage for at least one to two hours a day. Once they have learned to fly, the baby pigeons are fully fledged and ready to go to their new homes.