A stylized illustration of a pigeon in profile against a solid orange background. The bird has a dark navy head and neck, a pale blue body, and a small gray beak.

Hand Rearing Guide for Pigeons (Squabs)

Introduction: It is always best for a baby pigeon (squab) to be raised by its parents or, when that's not possible, by an experienced wildlife rehabilitator. Parental care provides ideal nutrition, warmth, and behavioural development that is difficult to replicate. However, emergencies happen, and sometimes you're the only one available to help.

This manual is designed to guide you through the basics of hand-rearing a baby pigeon safely and compassionately. Whether you’ve found a nestling in need or are stepping in temporarily, this resource will give you the tools and knowledge to give the bird the best possible start.

DISCLAIMER: This is a general guide and does not cover every issue that can arise when hand-rearing pigeons. The recommendations are based on our experience, current knowledge and research. If you have questions or are unsure about any stage of the process, please get in touch.

Set Up Checklist

1ml Syringe

When it comes to clean and accurate feeding, I findsyringesto be the easiest and most reliable option. That said, if you’re more comfortable using a crop needle orsilicone tube, go for it! The most important thing is that the bird gets the right food into the crop, not all over their face.

Sterilising soltion

Proper cleaning of feeding tools is essential when hand-rearing baby birds to prevent harmful bacteria buildup. I recommend soaking syringes, feeding tubes, and any reusable equipment in a Milton solution for 20 minutes, then rinsing thoroughly and leaving them to air dry. Having a dedicated cleaning routine and the right supplies on hand ensures safe, hygienic feeding every time

Heat source

There are several heating options available, each with its pros and cons, plant propagation heat mats, SnuggleSafe discs, incubators, wheat bags, and hot water bottles can all be used depending on your setup and the bird’s needs.

Nest setup

Use a knitted nest, small bowl or container lined with soft, supportive, and foot-safe materials to prevent splayed legs. Good options include:

  • Tissue, especially for the early stages.
  • Ripped up paper towel.
  • Paper towels.
  • Rolled-up gauze (use with caution loose threads)
  • Textured fabrics (use with caution loose threads)
  • Honeycomb expanding packing wrap.

Avoid slippery surfaces or anything the bird's legs can sink into or get caught on ie loose threads. Replace nesting material frequently to keep the area clean and dry.

Food supplies

  • Quality hand-rearing formula: A nutritionally complete commercial formula is the preferred option for raising squabs.
  • Homemade formula ingredients: A balanced homemade formula can be used when a suitable commercial product isn't available. See our recipe below.
  • Bird-specific multivitamin: Useful when feeding a homemade diet to help provide vitamins and minerals that may otherwise be lacking.
  • Fennel tea: An optional addition that may be used for digestive support.
  • Apple cider vinegar: An optional addition used in small amounts where appropriate.
  • Weaning foods: Appropriate pigeon seed, grains or pellets should be introduced as the squab approaches weaning.

Digital Thermometer

Essential for ensuring the formula is at the correct feeding temperature of 38-41°C. Accurate formula temperature is particularly important for healthy digestion and successful hand-rearing.

Small Kitchen Scales

Accurate digital kitchen scales are essential for monitoring a baby pigeon’s weight and growth throughout hand-rearing. Weighing your squab at the same time each day allows you to track progress, calculate appropriate feeding volumes and quickly identify weight loss or poor weight gain, which can be an early sign that something isn’t right

High Quality Bird Multivitamin

This can help support healthy growth and development, particularly when using a homemade diet that may have less nutritional variety. A bird-specific multivitamin can help ensure important vitamins and minerals are provided consistently.

Toys and mirrors

quabs raised without other pigeons can miss out on important social and environmental stimulation. Providing safe toys and a mirror can encourage curiosity, movement and interaction, while giving a lone squab some visual companionship. These should complement regular enrichment and, wherever possible, opportunities to see and interact with other pigeons as the bird develops.

A fluffy yellow-and-brown baby bird sits on a white paper towel placed on a digital scale displaying 62 grams.

Important Daily Tasks

  • Monitor weight: Weigh each morning before feeding and keep a record to track growth and identify problems early.
  • Monitor droppings: Changes in colour, consistency, volume or frequency can be an early sign that something isn’t right.
  • Watch the crop: Check that the crop is filling and emptying normally. Slow crop emptying should be addressed promptly.
  • Check leg development: Make sure the legs and feet are developing normally and watch for early signs of splaying.
  • Keep the nest clean: Replace bedding regularly and keep the nest clean and dry to prevent skin irritation and infection.
  • Intervene early: Changes in weight, appetite, droppings, behaviour or posture can progress quickly in young squabs.
  • Keep handling to a minimum: Avoid excessive human interaction, particularly with birds intended for release. For single squabs, use safe enrichment such as soft toys or mirrors and introduce pigeon companionship whenever possible.

Key Feeding Rules

    • The crop can hold approximately 10-12% of a bird’s body weight at any one time.
    • Baby pigeon typically needs to consume 60–70% of its body weight in food each day to support healthy growth.
    • Food should only be given when the crop is close to empty to prevent overfilling and digestive issues.
    • Always warm the formula to 38-41°C using a digital thermometer before feeding. Discard any unused formula after one hour.

Food Options

+ Day 1-30 Commercially Available Options.

  • Higgins Intune hand feeding formula
  • Kaytee Exact
  • Passwells hand rearing food
  • Roudybush hand rearing formula
  • Vetafarm Neocare

+ Day 1-3 Crop Milk Replacer Recipe

Ingredients:

  • 1 small jar (70 g) plain chicken baby food (ingredients: should be just chicken + water or similar)
  • 1 tablespoon plain, unsweetened greek yoghurt (no added sugar or flavouring)
  • 1 ml flaxseed oil, olive oil or cooked egg yolk.
  • Bird multivitamin (follow the label)
  • Bird Probiotics (follow the label)
  • 100–150 mg elemental calcium (¼ tsp ground calcium carbonate) Please note, some may be found in the multivitamin

Instructions for mix:

  1. Mix all ingredients thoroughly and store this mix in the fridge.
  2. Warm what you need to 38-41°C, checking with a digital thermometer.
  3. Feed using a syringe.
  4. Discard any leftovers after one hour.

+ Day 3-30 Home Made Rearing Recipe

Ingredients:

  • 2 tbsp baby rice cereal (e.g. Farex or equivalent, iron-fortified is fine)
  • 1 tbsp plain, unsweetened greek yoghurt (no added sugar or flavouring)
  • Bird multivitamin (follow the label)
  • Bird Probiotic (follow the label)
  • 1 tsp flaxseed oil, olive oil, cooked egg yolk (for healthy fats)
  • Optional: 1 tbsp cooked peas, lentils or cooked egg white blended smooth (for extra protein)

Instructions for mix:

  1. Mix rice cereal with water to make a smooth porridge-like consistency.
  2. Blend in yoghurt, oil, and multivitamin supplement. Store this mix in fridge.
  3. Warm what you need to 38-41°C, checking with a digital thermometer.
  4. Feed using a syringe.
  5. Discard leftovers after 1 hour; do not reheat or reuse.

+ Day 14 onwards (Seed and water should become available)

A high-quality commercial pigeon mix should be balanced, species-appropriate, and tailored to the bird's life stage, activity level, and season

Base Grains (60-70%)

  • Wheat: Energy-rich, easily digestible
  • Maize (corn): Cracked or whole; adds energy
  • Barley: Adds bulk, helps with digestion (in moderation)
  • Milo (sorghum): Good energy source
  • Oats (hulled or groats): High in fibre and fat

Protein-Rich Legumes (20-30%)

  • Peas (green, maple, or yellow): Common in pigeon mixes
  • Lentils: Easier to digest than peas, good for variety
  • Vetch: Rich in protein and fibre
  • Faba beans: Used in small amounts in some high-performance mixes.

Oil Seeds (5-10%)

  • Safflower: Source of healthy fat and vitamin E
  • Sunflower (black or striped, hulled for smaller birds): High energy
  • Canola/Rape seed or Linseed (flaxseed): Small seeds rich in omega-3s

Additions for Performance or Specific Needs.

  • Popped corn or popcorn maize: Light and digestible
  • Pigeon pellets: For extra vitamins, minerals, and amino acids
  • Condition seeds: Like aniseed or fennel, often in small quantities
  • Pelleted grit/calcium chips: Sometimes added, but usually offered separately

IMPORTANT: Don’t cut corners, feeding formula that’s too cold, too hot, or reheated can cause crop slowdown and lead to serious complications.

A fluffy yellow and brown bird chick nestled inside a brown felt nest lined with brown paper shred.

Step by Step: How to Feed

1. Prepare the formula: Mix the formula to the correct consistency for the squab’s age and a feeding temperature of 38 to 41°C.

2. Choose your syringe: Use a clean, food-grade syringe appropriate for your feeding technique. A small syringe provides greater control, while experienced carers may prefer a syringe fitted with a suitable feeding tube.

3. Encourage the feeding response: Gently place your fingers on either side of the beak. This can stimulate the squab’s natural feeding response and encourage it to open its mouth.

4. Position the syringe: Gently introduce the syringe into the mouth, directing it to the side rather than towards the opening of the airway at the base of the tongue.

5. Feed slowly: Depress the plunger gradually, allowing the squab time to swallow between small amounts. Watch the crop as it fills. It should feel soft and comfortably full, never hard or overly stretched.

6. Avoid overfeeding: As a general guide, feed approximately 10-12% of the squab’s body weight per feed, adjusting according to age, condition and crop emptying.

5. Clean up thoroughly: Wipe any formula from the beak and feathers before it dries, as dried formula can damage developing feathers. Clean and disinfect feeding equipment thoroughly after each use.

Care By Weight

15g

25g

Age (estimation): 2 - 3 day

Volume per feed: 2.5 - 3ml

Feeds per day: 6

Temperature: 36 - 37℃

Humidity: 55 - 65%

35g

Age (estimation): 4 - 5 day

Volume per feed: 3.5 - 4ml

Feeds per day: 6

Temperature: 35.5 - 36.5℃

Humidity: 55 - 65%

45g

Age (estimation): 6 - 7 day

Volume per feed: 4.5 - 5ml

Feeds per day: 5 - 6

Temperature: 35℃

Humidity: 55 - 65%

55g

Age (estimation): 8 - 9 day

Volume per feed: 5.5 - 6ml

Feeds per day: 5

Temperature: 34.5℃

Humidity: 55 - 65%

65g

Age (estimation): 10 - 11 day

Volume per feed: 6.5 - 7ml

Feeds per day: 5

Temperature: 34℃

Humidity: 55 - 65%

75g

Age (estimation): 12 - 13 day

Volume per feed: 7.5 - 8ml

Feeds per day: 4 - 5

Temperature: 33 - 33.5℃

Humidity: 55 - 65%

85g

Age (estimation): 14 - 15 day

Volume per feed: 8.5 - 9ml

Feeds per day: 4

Temperature: 32 - 33℃

Humidity: 55 - 65%

95g

Age (estimation): 16 - 17 day

Volume per feed: 9.5 - 10ml

Feeds per day: 4

Temperature: 31 - 33℃

Humidity: 55 - 65%

105g

Age (estimation): 18 - 19 day

Volume per feed: 10 - 11ml

Feeds per day: 3 - 4

Temperature: 30 - 31℃

Humidity: 55 - 65%

115g

Age (estimation): 20 - 21 day

Volume per feed: 11 - 12ml

Feeds per day: 3 - 4

Temperature: 29 - 30℃

Humidity: 55 - 65%

125g

Age (estimation): 22 - 23 day

Volume per feed: 12 - 13ml

Feeds per day: 3

Temperature: 28 - 29℃

Humidity: 55 - 65%

135g

Age (estimation): 24 - 25 day

Volume per feed: 12 - 13ml

Feeds per day: 3

Temperature: 27 - 28℃

Humidity: 55 - 65%

145g

Age (estimation): 26 - 27 day

Volume per feed: 14 - 15ml

Feeds per day: 3

Temperature: 26 - 27℃

Humidity: 55 - 65%

155g

Age (estimation): 28 - 29 day

Volume per feed: 15 - 16ml

Feeds per day: 2 - 3

Temperature: 24 - 26℃

Humidity: 55 - 65%

Supporting Healthy Crop Function

Crop slowing can occur even when feeding temperature, formula freshness and feeding volumes are correct. We often use diluted apple cider vinegar or fennel tea as part of the water base when preparing formula to help support healthy digestion and crop function.

  • Apple Cider Vinegar (ACV):
    Add 5mL per 1 litre of water, or aim for a pH of 6 to 6.5, to help maintain a mildly acidic crop environment.
  • Fennel Tea:
    Fennel tea can be used as part of the water base for formula and is traditionally used to support digestion and gastrointestinal motility.

Important: A persistently slow or non-emptying crop can indicate an underlying problem and should be investigated promptly.

References

  • Walker, Dr Colin. The Pigeon – A Veterinary Book. Pigeon Racing Victoria, Melbourne.
  • Duerr, Rebecca S., and Laurie J. Gage, editors. Hand-Rearing Birds. 2nd ed., Wiley-Blackwell, 2020.