What to Feed Captive Doves

Feed a pet dove 2-3 teaspoons per day of a pellet or seed-based, fortified finch or parakeet diet.

About 5-10% of a dove's diet should be bite-sized fruits and veggies like oranges, apples, melon, sweet potatoes, broccoli, spinach, mustard greens and shredded carrots. Offer daily or every 2-3 days.

Because a dove's metabolism is very active, starvation can occur in as little as 24 hours. Food should be available at all times.

Keep a cuttle bone or mineral block in the cage at all times.

Doves should always have access to clean, fresh water. Don't use tap water.  Steam Distilled water is recommended for it's purity.

Doves swallow their seeds whole. Place a small pinch of grit in their food each week to help aid in digestion.

Calcium deficiency is common among caged doves so grit and high-calcium crushed oyster shell are essential. Symptoms that your dove's diet may be deficient in nutrients include eggs that she had laid with soft shells.