I rehab for our county wildlife sanctuary. I have done alot of different types of birds, but never a morning dove. I got one yesterday. It is a nestling, but near fledgeling. They gave me a curved tip syringe to feed it with, but this method really stresses out the bird and is difficult to do. I am trying the “hole in the dixie cup” filled with slurry method. This seems to be working. Can anyone tell me what the consistancy of the slurry should be? I have it slighty more runny than what Elmer’s white glue would be. I have no idea what its supposed to be. My rehab book doesn’t say.
Also, if there is another method to try feeding it with, please let me know. I can’t hardly tell if its eating enough. I will weigh the bird today, but since I just got it yesterday, it will be hard to gauge if its eating enough or not. Any help is greatly appreciated. Thanks!
It seeems people are missing the point of the question. I don’t want to use the syringe. I am using a cup with a hole in the side that the bird puts its beak into. What consistancy should that slurry be and are there any other methods besides the syringe or cup that can be used. I can’t simply spit in the birds mouth because first of all, that’s wierd/gross and second of all morning doves to not Gape for food.
