Discover all about Baby pigeon feeding -how to feed and care them, and raise a healthy pigeon. Guide to beginners and bird lovers.
Introduction
Squabs or baby pigeons are cute and sensitive birds and they need special attention at their initial developmental stages. Pigeons unlike other baby birds have special needs as far as feeding, nurturing and environment are concerned. You either have found an abandoned baby pigeon, or you have a hatchling, it is important to know the needs of the baby pigeon to ensure survival and proper growth.
You will find out all you should know about keeping baby pigeons in this exhaustive manual on how you should feed them, their feeding routine, health complications, and how to rear a healthy and robust pigeon.
What is a Baby Pigeon?
The squab is referred to as a baby pigeon. The babies are normally born naked, sightless, and solely living on the kindness of the parents to keep them warm and fed. They are fast maturing and typically after 4-6 weeks they are ready to fly.
Baby pigeons do not receive chickey-filly as other birds do but instead they are fed a special kind of milk secreted by both mother and father parent pigeons to nourish them. This milk is vital in growing and immunity.

Baby Pigeon Stages of development.
Knowledge of the life cycle of a baby pigeon comes in handy in giving the required attention:
1.Hatchling (0–1 Week):
Born blind and featherless
Sooner than ever, totally dependent on parents as the source of warmth and nourishment.
Has soft and nutrient-rich feeding.
2.Nestling (1–3 Weeks):
Starts growing feathers
Eyes begin to open
Needs frequent feeding after every 2-3 hours.
3.Fledgling (3–6 Weeks):
Feathers nearly completely formed.
Starts to exercise wings
Slowly changes to solid food.
4. Juvenile (6+ Weeks):
Can leave the nest
Starts self-feeding
Needs very little parental attention.

Baby Pigeon Diet
One of the most important factors towards raising a healthy squab is to feed an infant pigeon. Their feeding varies with increase in age:
- Hatchlings: Fed on the pigeon milk. In case you are an orphan, you may feed on a specially prepared formula of baby pigeons which is sold in pet stores.
- Nestlings: Begin to add grains and tiny seeds which have been moistened together with formula.
- Fledges: Transgressively become partial to whole grains, peas, corn, and seeds.
- Juveniles: Are able to eat pigeon pellets, and numerous types of grains.
Pro Tip: It is always a good idea to keep fresh water, but feed on milk, bread, and junk food should be avoided.
How Baby pigeon feeding?
Rearing an orphaned or hand raised pigeon baby is a time-consuming process:
- Use the Right Tools:
o Syringes or small spoons are the best.
o Not to choke, avoid force-feeding.
- Feed in Small Quantities:
o Babies have to be fed after every 2-3 hours.
o Older squabs do not require as much feeding.
- Keep Passing through Tools with the right amount of temperature:
o Warm the formula to 38–40°C (100–104°F)
o Baby pigeons are vulnerable to cold food.
- Cleanliness is Crucial:
o Clean feed instruments after use.
o Wipe the nesting room clean to prevent infection.

Baby Pigeon Care Tips
Parenting is not just feeding a baby pigeon. Here’s a complete care guide:
- How to keep warm: Use a heat lamp or a warm box on hatchlings.
- Comfortable nesting: Use the soft bedding with the use of tissue or cloth.
- Observations Health: Dehydration, lethargy, feathers, etc.
- Avoid Overhandling: Pigeons When the baby is overhandled, it may become stressed.
Fun Fact: Baby pigeons are highly sociable pigeons. Playing with them is also gentle and will make them tame and get domesticated.
Common Baby Pigeon Problems
Baby pigeons may have certain problems even in case of proper care:
- Dehydration: This is indicated by wrinkles in skin and lethargy.
- Diarrhea: It is commonly caused by unsuitable diet.
- Respiratory: This is as a result of poor ventilation or wet bedding.
- Other organisms: Nestlings can be affected by parasites, which might be a mite and lice.
Remedy: These can be avoided by cleaning regularly, feeding the bird well and attending to an avian veterinarian.
How to raise Pigeons, Baby Pigeons.
Not everyone has raised baby pigeons and they include the following tips:
- A safe and warm environment should always be prepared.
- Adhere to a rigorous eating schedule.
- Introduce hard food gradually with the growth of feathers.
- Break the bird also through socialization so that it is not afraid.
- Attend to a veterinarian about health or the vaccinations.
FAQs
Q1: What do baby pigeons eat?
A: Baby pigeons consume pigeon milk, formula, moistened grains and expectedly, seeds and pellets.
Q2: Feeding a baby pigeon: what is the frequency of feeding it?
A: Feeding of hatchlings should be done after 23 hours, whereas fledglings should be fed after every 34 hours.
Q3: What is the duration of time spent by the baby pigeons in the nest?
A: Generally, the time taken is 4- 6 weeks depending on the grown and feather maturation.
Q4: are there any alternatives to the parenthood of a baby pigeon?
A: Yes, but pigeon formula, warmness and clean environment must be supplied.
Q5: What makes me know whether the baby pigeon is healthy or not?
A: The healthy baby pigeons are lively, wakeful, enjoyment-free, of smooth-coloured skin, and their feathers are growing steadily.
Conclusion
The process of bringing up a baby pigeon may be very fulfilling in case it is carried out in consideration and information. Since they can be properly fed and nest; their health should be monitored and since the baby pigeons have unique needs, their growth into health adult birds will be guaranteed. With this guide, you can definitely be able to raise a squab be it found in the wild or in your home.
In addition to the nutrition and environment, the soft handling and socialization can be used in raising friendly and normal pigeons. Even though overhandling may lead to stress, repetitive, relaxed interaction with the baby pigeons will enable them to get used to having human species around them.
Horizons: The secrets of the successful maintenance of baby pigeons are patience, cleanliness, and good nutrition.
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