There is a debate on another forum concerning releasing a baby pigeon that has been hand fed.
A few people (rehab persons) claim a baby Pigeon that has been hand fed simply can not be released into the wild.
As a wildlife rescue and rehab person I can say I have hand fed many baby pigeons and other small animals and practice a (successful release program).
One simply can not throw the bird up into the sky and walk away, this is not a good release program.
So what is a good release program?
Currently there are many species of birds including exotics that are thriving in the wild here in the USA, do you think these birds were released following a successful release program?
Many of these birds escaped there owners and now have returned to the wild, they are not only surviving but breeding and forming colonies.
For a person to claim that hand raising a baby Pigeon or "any animal for that matter" can not be returned to the wild is a false belief.
As a Rescue and Rehab person my goal is and has always been to return the little back unto mothers care, If possible.
In this thread I will explain a (successful release) how they are done and why they are done.

(My Story)
It was a hot mid summer day, I showed up for work on a very large apartment complex, as a roofer we were to remove the old roof's and replace them with a new roof, on the roof was this huge air condition unit, this unit was scheduled to be removed and replaced, I noticed many pigeons in the area and knew what I was to find when looking under the air unit.
I found many nest with little eyes looking back at me, some the eyes weren't even opened yet.
In all I took home 7 baby pigeons, some were nothing less than skin, others had a few pin feathers.
I tube fed all the birds, as they grew I switched to syringe feedings, at week 6 I began weaning.
When all pigeons were 8 months old, I took the little ones to a farm where there were many other pigeons, this farm had plenty of grain and a stream near by, here I released my babies.
2 weeks latter my wife and I armed with field glasses followed up to see how they were doing, some of the birds had very unique coloring and we were able to pick them out easily, they were doing fine.
3 months passed and we returned and found one pair had created babies.

(My Story)
A person brought me a baby Squirrel, we guessed him to be ( 5 weeks old).
I syringe fed him formula, then switched to cheerios and nuts, at month 8 this little one was successfully released, he still comes around now and then for a hand out, but for the most he eats right along the side of the other squirrels under the bird feeder.
I have many stories of successful released Rabbits, Chipmunks, Doves etc.

If it were true, hand fed animals (Baby Pigeons) were not releasable after being hand fed by humans, my facility would now have well over a thousand birds after many years of rescuing them.

Pigeons wean between week 4-6.
During wean, its hard on both the parent and the young, but must be done to assure there survival.

Lets look at the Racing Pigeon World, the Racer is loft raised, dependant on the human for seed and water.
Hundreds upon hundreds of Racing Pigeons are lost during every race, my studies have found, many become lost for reasons unknown and fail to make it back to there lofts.
These birds join up with feral flocks and thrive, they not only survive but they mate up and breed.

Lets say a rehab person hand feeds a baby Pigeon, does this person hand feed this bird for ever?
Doe's this rehab person not allow the bird to wean, and what does wean really mean?

To wean means, to stop feeding the young so they begin to eat on there own, survival is the main issue.

All animals struggle each and everyday to survive, finding food is extremely hard at times, there's an old saying here, "only the strong survive".

This is "mothers way" to keep all in check.

For a rehab person to say "hand fed baby pigeons will not survive if released" is a false belief, a successful release is (suppose to be) every rehab persons goal.

Every (rehab person as far as I know) practices a successful release program, every animal is different and thus forth the release will be different in nature.

If I kept every animal that I hand fed from a baby I would now live on a 30 acre farm with many buildings to house and care for each and everyone of them, There isn't enough time in a 24 hour period for me to sleep as I would be feeding and watering and cleaning endlessly.

Do I know all the birds that I have released are doing well and still alive today, no!

I do follow up and check on those that have been released, and even there are limits to the follow ups.

Do I simply throw the bird up into the air and walk away?

No!

I follow a successful release program.

Please don't misunderstand my words, a successful release program isn't just for my peace of mind, this assure the animal (pigeon) has a better chance at survival.

BrokenWing

I just posted about a dove we are hand feeding. I am already starting to ween him, he's doing great. We were also told we'd have to keep him forever. Now, we are willing to keep him after a vet check and making sure it's safe to let him go in the aviary afterward- but, I honestly think I would rather release him if I thought he had a huge chance. And what exactly should I do to get him ready? Should I leave an outdoor cage and food or what do you think? I'll take any suggestions you have to offer. Thanks in advance.

I have volunteered at the Texas Wildlife and Rehabilitation Center and they release all (almost) the baby birds and squirrels they get in. Of course it works! You go Arty! Tell Miss Rose Hi! We love you!

I truly believe that this baby should eventually be released, Wanda.
Follow Artys advise as to how. Keep in mind where you found him for the release site.
Thank you for taking this little one in and giving him a chance in life.

I just viewed your original post.
Thats a little Morning Dove and should be returned to the wild, (if possible).
There are Pros & Cons as you have said, some will say a hand fed baby Pigeon and or Dove simply can't be released, this is nothing less than a false belief, all animal's can and do return to the wild.
We currently have just about every Exotic Parrot there is living in the wild here in the USA.
Racing Pigeons that have been hand fed and or Human Raised thrive in with feral flocks.
I have hand fed so many little animals and released them all back unto mothers care.
There has been a few that were injured and there injuries failed to heal properly, those can never be released.
If that little Dove is healthy then it would be best for all concerned to release the little one when old enough.
Great Job by the way, you did very good by that little one.
Very good indeed.
Arty

Okay, one more question for now- Litter, unscented litter- Is that just regular cat litter or that shredded paper stuff? Thanks.

And I just had to show this. I got a little video of him chasing those red drawers around. He's a hoot!

Dove034.flv - Video - Photobucket - Video and Image Hosting

Very cute film, what a little sweet heart.
I would not use litter, When hand raising I use regular newspaper.
I place a clean old t-shirt in a corner for the little one to lay on.
That little one can manage his/her own body heat at that age so a heating pad is no longer needed.
Change the paper each day.
Doves do not colonize like a Pigeon, they are pretty much Loners, unless they are a mated pair, they mate for life.
Actually, you can release that little one from your back yard, this may provide you some comfort during release as the little one may stick around for awhile.
If you feed and water the birds outside, your little friend will find the seed, this will also assist during the change back into the wild.
There is a mated pair of Morning Doves that return here each spring, also a mated pair of Ducks seem to have adopted our home and show up here each spring.
Even after a release, the Dove may continue to stay there with you.
Something you may wish to consider.
When I rehab a baby, I limit human touch as much as possible.
As soon as the little one weans, I eliminate human touch all together.
You are going to become very attached to that little bird "who wouldn't?".
That little bird is going to become very attached to you, "who wouldn't?".
I think you know where I am going with this.
There's going to be 2 little hearts that will hurt come release day.
Please don't mis-understand my words, I am concerned for both hearts.
They are a very sweet peaceful bird aren't they Wanda?

Arty

I do understand. And I want to do what is right for the little thing. I thought about releasing him in the back, we have tons of doves all around our house. I thought about putting a cage out there and leaving some seed/water and then eventually he'd likely just never come back one day. I can't just toss seed out in the backyard though. We have a small (And I mean SMALL) area back there and it's taken up with a lap pool and flagstone. There is literally no grass in the back. Just some gardens along the fence. So, if I do a full-blown release, I'd drive him to the country like you suggested.

Believe me, I am listening to you. I do have one question- is there any cons of keeping him? When you told me 8mos to a year, I knew it would be tougher than I expected, but I can handle it if it's just the absolute right thing to do and I obviously respect/need your advice and opinions. I do appreciate some good advice on it. It's why I came over, I saw this section and I couldn't find any real help anywhere else. Thank you again.

There are laws that forbid the keeping of the Morning Dove.
My major concern is releasing a bird that is to young to fend for them self.
I have read many different opinions concerning the proper age.
Some say the longer you keep the animal the less the chance of survival, this places to many young ones in peril, or vice versa.
This is why I say, I release between the age of 8-12 months.
We can teach them to forage, as Susan has suggested, place the seed on the floor of the cage, non colored seed.
Wild birds look at almost everything as food, and believe me, there diet is far from being just seed, they will eat anything to stay alive.
As I have said, I mainly deal with Pigeons here, when I release a Pigeon I look for a flock of Pigeons, I consider if there is a good food source and water near by, this is where I release the bird, other wild Pigeons will assist with helping the little one to survive.
If you do have other Doves around there, then it maybe best to release your new friend there where there are others.
Doves and Pigeons reach maturity (or are capable of breeding) at age 6 months, so is this a good time to release?
I would say, No.
My target is 8-12 months.
A few years back I raised a baby gray Squirrel, I released him at age 8 months old, he is doing fine, struggling to survive just like all the other squirrels.
Sooooo, I would release the bird as soon as possible, just not to soon and limit the human intervention.
I wouldn't offer a cage outdoors, I would place the cage he/she is in outside and open the door, and except what happens.
I wouldn't sit there and watch the neighbors cat attack the bird, I am sure you know what I mean.
But watch the bird fly up and away, bring the cage back in and endure the "bitter sweet" feeling of a successful release.
You will find yourself searching the skies often if for nothing else just a glimpse of your little friend.
If you don't have a bird feeder outside, maybe you can get one, and a bird bath, then sit back and watch the birds come and go and wonder...."is that him?" or her?
Wanda, you and your mate are very very kind souls, you have assured a little one has a chance to survive, I pray you both find solace and peace in what you have done for that little bird.
One day another little one will come to you for help.
I hope you understand this, "leave your heart open Wanda, always leave your heart open".
& a very warm welcome to the Rescue & Rehab world, you shine.
If you need me or other members of Parrot Chatter, we are all here for you!
Arty