How long without incubation?

[jbangelfish]

Originally Posted by philodice

Excerpt from my ebook:
"
Suspending Incubation of Pigeon Eggs

This is a description and outcome of an experiment to learn how long
pigeon egg incubation can be suspended under optimal conditions

Began experiment Jun-28

A small refrigerator was acquired exclusively for the
purpose of this project and adjusted it to the lowest setting

-- measured temp 48-49 ºF / humidity 68-70% -- w/ bowl of water at bottom

( … compared to standard refrigerator measured temp 38-43 ºF/ humidity 50-70%)

Four sets of breeders were paired in individual boxes

Jul 7 - 17

Collected eggs as soon as they were laid so they did not begin incubation

-- each egg was marked with a pencil for tracking, then
stored in random orientation in a sealed Ziploc baggie in the refrigerator

Eggs were not deliberately turned -- only moved as additional eggs were collected

Jul 18

Breeders were separated

Jul 28

The four sets of breeders were re-paired, same as before

Aug 9 - 16

Collected a 2nd round of eggs from the breeders and refrigerated in the same manner

As each pair laid the 2nd egg in the clutch, they were replaced with eggs FROM the refrigerator

Eggs were returned gradually to room temperature in their sealed container at least 6 hrs before fostering

The breeders were allowed to sit on the eggs naturally

After 5 full days the eggs were candled

Aug 20

Concluded experiment


----------------------
Results & Observations
----------------------

Detailed notes were kept on each egg (ie., dates, pairs, round,
clutch order, foster parents, success/fail)


In summary, there were eight eggs in the first round

-- in this group, incubation was suspended -- ranging from 27 - 35 days

... outcome -- 100% were NOT viable


There were seven eggs in the second round (... one was damaged)

-- in this group, incubation was suspended -- ranging from 1 - 6 days

... outcome -- 100% were SUCCESSFUL


In conclusion, incubation of pigeon eggs can be successfully suspended by refrigeration for up to a week

Beyond 27 days, hatchability dropped to ZERO

There is a remaining question about how long they can be kept within the window of 7 - 26 days

It does demonstrate that the length of time pigeon egg incubation
can be suspended is up to a week -- and maybe somewhat longer, but not much

Rodney POWELL
8-2007
"

But the key has to be in the refridgeration. I think if the eggs were left in the ambient temperatures, you'd have a completely different result. It is nice to know that you don't have to give up on them but temperature is the key. Either continue the incubation process or get them chilled down as soon as possible.

I think that this must be similar to cold water drowning. We now know that people are able to survive being under water for up to a couple hours or so if the water is very cold. I don't know what temp but cold and children in particular are more likely to survive.

This has been discovered in the last 20 years or so and has completely changed how rescuers treat drowning victims. It seems that the human body is able to achieve a type of suspended animation, to a degree and young victims are much more likely to survive.

I think someone has found the same type of process for embryonic state eggs and it's a great discovery.

Bill

[newbie001]

Originally Posted by jbangelfish

You can keep eggs that have never been incubated for a long time in cool storage. They can keep for up to months this way.

When I was a kid, we did this with chicken eggs. We'd store them for as much as a couple months until we had a hen which had begun setting. I see no reason why pigeon eggs would be any different.

Once they have started incubating, it's a whole new ballgame.

Bill

After incubating for around 17 days, will the bird inside the egg die if left without being incubated for 9 hours? Please let me know!