Some dove questions...

[Wing]

Today at dinner, my dad was talking about the doves we saw at petco, and my step-mom said that she might want to get them someday. Not now, but in the future sometime. Anyway, I want to know a little more about dove care, so I can help her with anything if she does decide to get a couple of doves. If someone could post a little about dove care, it would be helpful. (Oh, and the doves at petco were diamond doves, in case you'll need that)

[Monica]

Diamond doves are pretty tiny! They should have a large cage because they are quite flighty birds, seeds, soft fresh leafy green veggies, grit (I assume), some good natural branches...

[Wing]

Would manzanita(sp?) branches be good for natural branches? I'll remember to have her get a large cage...but how large exactly?
Yea, I could pretty much tell grit would be needed because they don't hull their seeds like parrots do, but eat them whole. I'll remember the grit.
What kind of seeds would you recommend? Do they have special seeds just for doves? Or do you have to get a kind made for another bird, but is good for doves as well?
I'll remember the greens, we always have leafy greens like lettuce and spinach (would those be ok?) around the house...so it shouldn't be a problem getting those.
Sorry I have so many questions, but I guess it's ok considering that it's about the well-being of a possible future bird(s).

[Monica]

Manzanita normally isn't really that good because it's so slippery... maybe if it was sanded down so it was rough it would be fine.

As far as a cage, it probably depends on the size of the birds, but a good flight cage (similar if not the same ones sold for ferrets/sugar gliders with proper bar spacing) would probably be best.

As far as seeds, I'm not really sure (I've never owned any softbills) but I assume that maybe a canary/finch mix might do good. I'm sure that someone else could give you better advice here!

Various kinds of lettuce (not just iceburg) are fine... Spinach is okay if you feed it occasionally but not often. Other good ones include fresh parsley, carrot tops, sprouted seeds.... just about anything green and leafy!

[Wing]

Ok, thanks Monica. ^_^

[FeatherLover]

My understanding is that Finch Seed is fine for doves (especially those little guys).

I'm not a grit fan...I'd rather use the crushed sea-shells (what are they called?). I've heard grit can hinder digestion.

I hope someone else pipes in on this one...I'm not one-hundred percent sure...

[Monica]

That is what grit is... crushed oyster shells... but grit itself is NOT for parrots of any sort...

[Wing]

Yea, it can cause problems for parrots...and besides, parrots hull their seeds to get the soft part inside so they don't need grit, whereas non-parrot species eat the seeds whole and need some grit to help digest the seeds.

[FeatherLover]

Originally Posted by Monica

That is what grit is... crushed oyster shells...

Good to know.

[lsbirds]

I have diamond doves with my finches and they eat a combo of finch seed and budgie seed. I give them fine grit every now and then to help with digestion. They love spray millet. They have a cuttlebone that they like to pick at. Like finches, diamond doves like to pick at stringy things (like rope, sisal fan, pianta straw fan toy etc and swings). They are really neat birds. I love the cooing. I say get a diamond dove book and read up on them. I have one and it has some interesting things in it. They also like bread and greens. I have had mine for many yrs now with babies in between and I find them to be such a joy. Just one word of warning. I notice that I cannot keep more than a pair together otherwise they start fighting, so I wouldn't keep more than two in a single cage (just from my experience)..yes and be sure they have enough room to stretch their wings.