Why Is My Pigeon Not Eating?
Pigeons are food-loving birds and will almost always munch on most of the traditional bird food that they come across. However, at times they lose their appetite, and you are kept wondering the question, why is my pigeon not eating?
Pigeons lose their appetite and do not eat when they are suffering from diarrhea or bowel complications, and also when they are injured in any way.
In this article, I will explain the reasons why pigeons may naturally stop eating and what to do if you are ever in a situation like this.
Related blog about pigeon foods:
What Are the Causes of Loss of Appetite for Pigeons?
Pigeons may not eat for various reasons, and the response to this kind of loss of appetite should be dealt with case by case.
For example, pigeons that are too young may be immature and not understand the necessary dietary requirements properly.
This means that if they are not ushered to their food by either the parent pigeons or the owner, they are likely to not understand how frequently or in what quantity they are supposed to consume their food. This can lead them to stop eating.
Moreover, when pigeons are stressed and in an immense amount of mental distress, they might stop eating. This can be caused by incessant weather outside, which might scare the pigeons, or if the offspring of the pigeon is hurt.
Stress can also be caused by the passing out of the lifelong mate of the pigeon since pigeons are monogamous.
Pigeons may also lose their appetite due to disability, pain, or weakness.
If pigeons are in extreme pain due to physical stress, which can happen when they get hurt in their wings or feet, they might not eat. This also weakens the pigeons and may cause a decline in their appetite.
There are also many medical conditions that can cause the pigeon not to eat. Some are listed below:
We have covered an in-depth article on “Pigeon foods and Diet“; if interested, you can check this article here.
What Medical Conditions Could Be Causing My Pigeon to Not Eat?
Some of the most prominent medical conditions that could cause pigeons to lose their appetite and stop eating is described below.
1. Coccidiosis:
The most common pigeon diseases are parasitic diseases such as Coccidiosis, which can reduce the appetite of the pigeon.
This is because Coccidiosis is caused by food poisoning and eventually leads to indigestion. This may cause diarrhea in the pigeon.
2. Trichomoniasis:
Another parasite disease is Trichomoniasis, which is caused by a parasitic pathogen ingested from water or a natural food source. Sudden weight loss and a tendency to not eat anything is a primary symptom of Trichomoniasis.
3. Ornithosis:
Ornithosis, also called Parrot Fever, is a communicable disease and can be spread to humans. The symptom of this disease is only seen when it is in its acute form; hence, it is difficult to diagnose this early.
If pigeons are facing diarrhea, fever, inflammation, and, most importantly, low appetite, they should be tested for Ornithosis.
4. Mycoplasmosis:
There is another infection that can occur in pigeons which may cause low appetite, called Mycoplasmosis.
This is a lung infection, which by itself is not that harmful, but it usually brings in other bacterial or viral influences which may be detrimental to the health and appetite of the pigeon.
5. Salmonellosis:
Additionally, bacterial diseases may include Salmonellosis, which is also communicative to humans.
This directly affects the alimentary canal, where the intestines are situated, and inflicts damage. Salmonellosis can also cause low appetite and weight loss in pigeons.
6. Hexamitiasis:
Young pigeons can also be infected with a parasitic disease called Hexamitiasis, which can significantly reduce appetite in small pigeons and cause them to stop eating. This can be fatal if not treated.
7. Other Diseases:
Other diseases such as parasitic E-Coli or Necrotic Enteritis can also indirectly cause low appetite in pigeons due to weakness or other factors.
What to Do If Your Pigeon Is Not Eating
Taking your pigeon to the vet right away is the best course of action if it isn’t eating. It is imperative to take your ill pigeon to the vet, especially if it has diarrhea, a fever, or wet eyes.
However, if you want to assist the pigeon at home right away and are convinced that it has not contracted a sickness, you might try stimulating its appetite while giving it the appropriate medical care.
If the pigeon has been rescued recently and you wish to cure its lack of appetite right away, you may take additional precautions by keeping it warm and continuously giving it food and water.
What Kind of Treatment Is Available for Medical Diseases?
There are many available treatments for the medical diseases mentioned above, usually in the form of powdered soluble mixes that can be easily fed to the pigeon through its water feed.
Diseases such as coccidiosis and trichomoniasis can be easily treated with water soluble tablets that can be found at the nearest vet.
There are also pigeon tablets to remove worms or parasites from the pigeons’ bodies. These tablets include antibiotics, vitamins, and minerals. These give protection against diseases such as E-coli, Salmonelli and Mycoplasmosis, while also boosting the immune system of the pigeons.
These medications should only be administered at the discretion of the veterinarian.
How to Increase Your Pigeons Appetite
One of the easiest ways to increase appetite is to provide the pigeon with its favorite food in higher amounts. This can be accompanied by peanuts, sunflower seeds, or millet spray. These are high-calorie nutrient-filled food that will help the pigeon get back its appetite and gain some weight.
Vitamin and mineral supplements, with added immunity boosters can reboot the appetite of your pigeons. With proper treatment of any medical conditions your pigeons are bound to regain their appetite.
Moreover, if your pigeon has lost any of its fledglings, partner or have been separated from its long time owner, they will be emotionally distressed and have low appetite. Spending quality time with the pigeons, or finding a new partner, will increase its appetite over time.
How Often Do Pigeons Need to Eat
Pigeons usually eat all day by nibbling a little bit of the required food intermittently. It is best to give the entire days’ worth of food to the pigeon in the morning, and it will gradually make its way into the food the entire day.
And you can adjust the amount of food by understanding your pigeon’s diet by looking at the leftover food the next day.
What Kind of Food Do Pigeons Eat?
Pigeons are granivorous, meaning that they only consume granular food such as grains, nuts, seeds, peas, or corn. Some of the most popular food items for pigeons are sunflower seeds, wheat, millet, barley, and various nuts.
Pigeons also love consuming fruits, vegetables, berries, and even insects and worms. However, the alimentary canal or the intestines of pigeons are not very efficient, and some food can cause vomiting, diarrhea, or gastric discomfort.
This is especially true if a dangerous parasite or worm is ingested while the pigeon is eating. Pigeons can have a prolonged stomach weakness due to a variety of dangerous parasites and worms which are unintentionally consumed, that can disrupt their digestive systems.
Final Words
Now, if you are still asking yourself, Why is my pigeon not eating? You should definitely act quickly and find out if your pigeon is sick or hurt in any way. Pigeons will almost always eat the treats that are given to them. Hence any signs of loss of appetite should be investigated imminently.
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Image Credit:
- Freepik.com (rawintanpin)
- Canva.com/Photos
Article References:
- https://www.pigeonrescue.org/2019/10/30/how-when-to-feed-a-pigeon-who-isnt-eating/
- https://www.freepik.com/premium-photo/pigeon-eating-from-woman-hand-park-feeding-pigeons-park-day-time_5511874.htm
- https://kidadl.com/facts/food-guide-what-do-pigeons-eat-what-should-you-feed-them
- https://www.travipharma.com/en/service/common-pigeon-diseases/
- https://www.thesprucepets.com/how-to-help-bird-gain-weight-390402
