Injured baby pigeon

[mel_uk]

Hi everyoneI really could do with some help/advice, I saw a magpie attacking this baby pigeon it almost died so i saved it and brought it home no sign of its mother, it was bleeding under the wing but that seems to have cleared up it is so sweet i have been feeding it porridge and warm milk and wholemeal bread it is eating fine which i am pleased about but I really dont want it to die on me, anyone got any advice? the poor thing was real shuck up but trodding along ok now apart from its foot which i think is broken anyone with any advice would really help thanks!

[Morrisonker]

call the local RSPB?  I know it's tempting to help a baby bird, even a pigeon but there isn't an awful lot you can do if you want to release it back outside.  It needs to eat proper food, and know where to get it not to mention needing to know how to fly.  You could try putting it back whre you found it, but i doubt the mother will come back.  I think calling the RSPB (Rpyal Society for the Protection of Birds) would be best.

[Noweia]

If its foot is broken it also needs to see a vet!

[Cetti]

Hi mel. This is a brilliant site dedicated to pigeons and how to help sick or injured birds. http://homepages.nildram.co.uk/~picas/pigrec/

It's mainly feral but gives advice for Wood Pigeons as well. Although it's a London based site there is a telephone number that might be useful - plus a warning about leaving an injured bird with any organization unless you know exactly what their intentions will be when you've left.

They get a bad press but they are pretty amazing birds!

[colk100]

put it in a pie, when you've fed it up. it seems like it will be quite fat soon.

[mel_uk]

Hi cetti thank you very much for your advice you helped me alot the pigeon its comin on well been running across my living room floor im now going to ring those people on the site you gaveme, it is eating well and seems stronger, thanks for your help again :)

[crazy4cute]

You should take it to hthe RSPCA or vets as it needs proffesional help if it is in a REALLY bad condition!!!!

[Cetti]

I'm so pleased mel. It is a bit hit and miss with lone youngsters, sometimes it works and sadly on occasions it doesn't, but please let us know the outcome.

[mel_uk]

Hey cetti well i'm abit sad today the lil thing is really weak and freezing cold iv put all water bottles in for the mo and im going to try look for a small heater or something cause i'll probably cry if it dies i've just fed it now it is fast asleep, just hoping and have my fingers crossed that it survives

[mel_uk]

By the way RSPCA will do nothing i'd ratehr care for it myself i did 2 years of animal care and spent my work placement in RSPCA it was awful i'll never go back

[FP]

Bless you for trying so hard mel_uk. 

[Cetti]

I know it's heartbreaking mel but you have done everything possible and that's all any creature could ask for. If you haven't already done this what about wrapping it in a blanket or old jumper  and putting  it in a cardboard box?

Don't give up yet - I've had babies that look as though they will not last the night  - and in the morning they're full of joy. It does depend on the age of the pigeon youngster as the parent will feed it on 'pigeon milk' from the crop till it's weaned. Another thing they need is fresh water after every feed. Is your baby old enough to drink  itself? Does it have all or just partial feathers?

It really does sound as though you've done everything possible mel - now it's up to the little one whether it has the will to survive or whether it was just too traumatised when you found it.

[mel_uk]

well your right i woke up that morning and it was full of joy, its been eating alot more and running allover, it cant drink on its own no im having to hold its beak and it opens for me as i feed it and give it something to drink, i'm determand to not let it give up on me yet i feed it 4 times a day and let it have a run around on the living room floor and sometimes i sit with it on my lap while i watch tv and it falls to sleep, so it has picked up alot since last time just hope it doesnt go wweak again

[FP]

Wow, you are doing so well.  Good idea to sit with it on your lap as body warmth is better than anything. Keep up the good work.  You may, though, end up with a pet pigeon as it will think you are it's mum.  Mel, I think you should get a vet to look at it's foot and just give it a quick once over.  If you contact the Blue Cross, there may be a way to get this done cheaply.

Keep us posted with regular bulletins.

xx

[FP]

The PDSA might help you as well.  They can give some assistance with vet's fees.  Where abouts are you in the UK?   I know you don't like the RSPCA, but here in Norfolk we have an RSPCA wildlife centre and they will help anything taken in, even tiny mice.

[Cetti]

That really does sound very encouraging mel, and it looks as though your hard work and love is paying off.

Forgive me if you already know this but  when it looks as though it truly has turned the corner  I would be inclined to decrease the cuddles and human contact as it may think of you as mum. Some babies like goslings and ducklings become 'imprinted' and they don't recognise their own species - but luckily the pigeons I've had couldn't wait to be up and away once they were well so lets hope your little one feels the same way.

[mel_uk]

I was going to take it to the vet cause i did think it's foot was broken but it isnt its running and walking along fine i think it may have been because it was in shock the first day i picked it up n brought it home, well i dont mind being mum lol i feel like i have a kid it gets 24 7 attention from me but i will be glad when i can return it to the wild because then it can have a normal life like the rest of them, i have just put it inits bed looks so cute when its sleepin, well i shall keep you posted anyway :) by the way im in Sheffield

[tubeway]

It is worth sticking with it - we rescued a baby pigeon (called beaky as his beak was soft when he was small), and hand reared him. He was never sure if he was a pigeon or a person - and used to follow us around the house. It is hard work and takes a lot of effort, but can be worth it - good luck

[car.uk]

my daughter brought home two baby pigeons that fell out of a tree that she has a swing attached to in her nans garden.we couldnt put them back in the nest as the tree is to tall.so now ive these ugly but so cute babies to feed.this old man from our village said to feed them garden peas which ive been doing an they love em.im only on day 3 an seem to be doing good.they live in a shoe box with a hot water bottle an blanket .i hope they keep doing well as my daughter feels real bad that theyhave lost there mom.