Nest on porch with 2 eggs . . .

[Lovebirds]

Originally Posted by Reti

That is so unusual that they are hatching considering they were abandoned by the parents. My Giacomo and Homer will be happy to raise those little ones.

Reti

Are your birds going to be able to give these babies crop milk?

[Reti]

Both of them secrete crop milk the minute they see a baby. They have raised so far a mourning dove four ringnecks and a couple of pigeon babies. The pigeon babies were three weeks old when they came in begging every adult for food. Homer fed them for another week.
I am lucky to have those two, they are the best parents.


Reti

[Birdmom4ever]

Bless you Tmkwv2 and Reti for helping these babies! It's amazing to me they are hatching after being abandoned, though I also have had eggs that got cold still hatch when I placed them under foster parents. Reti, I'm so glad you have those two as fosters for the little ones. I also have some really, really good parents who will foster any babies they are given. It's always best when pigeons can raise them. They do a much better job than we humans can, despite our best efforts.

[tmkwv2]

Update 3: Baby 1 is now here!!! He was hatched at 1:50 pm and has already had his first meal. The second one is making progress as well. Reti will take over the project this evening! I will post pictures once I figure it out.

We are off to Reti's house!

Thanks for your help!

[Charis]

This is really amazing. Those babies are lucky to be in Florida. Most other parts of the country they wouldn't have survived. Got to wonder what happened to the mom and dad.

[Reti]

I was thinking too what might have happened to the parents. I hope they are alright.
They should be here any minute now.

Reti

[Reti]

The baby and the egg are here and finally all settled. Giacomo wasn't too happy initially. I don't know why but when I gave her the baby she got up from the nest and left, then she was going back and forth for about 40 minutes sitting on the baby a bit then leaving again. She was very agitated. Finally now she is sitting on the baby and keeping it warm, she hasn't fed it yet, but I know she will soon, I keep on checking on them, which makes her nervous, but I am nervous too. Homer wasn't happy either.
Guess pigeons have their moods too.
I gave the egg to another couple so it won't be too hard on Gia and Homer with two babies.
Keep you fingers crossed that all goes well.

Reti

[Lovebirds]

Originally Posted by Reti

The baby and the egg are here and finally all settled. Giacomo wasn't too happy initially. I don't know why but when I gave her the baby she got up from the nest and left, then she was going back and forth for about 40 minutes sitting on the baby a bit then leaving again. She was very agitated. Finally now she is sitting on the baby and keeping it warm, she hasn't fed it yet, but I know she will soon, I keep on checking on them, which makes her nervous, but I am nervous too. Homer wasn't happy either.
Guess pigeons have their moods too.
I gave the egg to another couple so it won't be too hard on Gia and Homer with two babies.
Keep you fingers crossed that all goes well.

Reti

Good luck with these little ones. I don't want to question your decision on what you are doing, because of course, I don't KNOW your birds. Have these two ever raised a baby from the egg?
I could be wrong I guess, but there is a big difference I believe in a pair of birds raising a brand new baby and raising one that's 6 or 7 days old or older. At that age they CAN be fed seeds and do just fine.
Pigeon fanciers are always so careful about switching eggs to pairs that laid around the same time, because we believe that pigeons can not "just produce" the crop milk. Sitting on eggs is what causes them to produce the milk. Of course ALL of them can regurgitate seeds if they are willing to do that and take a baby to raise.
Of course, if this pair of birds has been sitting on a nest and/or eggs anyway, then everything should be ok, as long as they've been sitting long enough.
Anyway............good luck. I know that no matter what happens with the pair of birds feeding, these tiny ones will be taken care of one way or the other.

[Reti]

They have been on the dummy eggs for about two weeks, but I gave them babies before 2-3 days old and up. They did fine always, but for some reason they weren't ready today. I am thinking I should feed the baby now, I don't think she fed it yet and I don't know if she will during the night, but at least she is keeping it warm by sitting on it.

Reti

[tmkwv2]

As Reti stated, the babies are with her. Last I heard, the "foster" mother was sitting and keeping the baby warm, but Reti was still having to feed it every hour. We named the first one Boaz and the one that is still waiting to hatch Ruth. (of course we have no clue if they are male or female) Again, thanks to everyone who helped us along the way. Also, what are the chances we will have more pigeons laying eggs on our porch? Now that it has happened once, is it more common and if so how long would it be until it happens again?

Thanks!

[Trees Gray]

Originally Posted by tmkwv2

Again, thanks to everyone who helped us along the way. Also, what are the chances we will have more pigeons laying eggs on our porch? Now that it has happened once, is it more common and if so how long would it be until it happens again?

Thanks!

If you make it a "pigeon friendly" porch, others may come and lay eggs, so if you don't want them on the porch, don't leave seed out or planters or boxes, where they can lay eggs. Thanks again, for your concern over the babies and bringing them to Reti.


Reti, how is the baby and egg/baby this morning? Have Gia and Homer fed them yet?

[Reti]

I fed the baby up until midnight. Now I checked and baby Boaz has a nice full crop (plenty of poopies) and momma Gia is keeping the baby warm. She must have fed the baby as the crop is much fuller than I left it last night. So, all is well.
Egg Ruth did not hatch yet, hopefully today.

Reti

[Birdmom4ever]

Glad to hear things are going better this morning, Reti. Love the names and I hope little Ruth makes it out of the egg today.

[Reti]

I tried to take some pics but they won't let me, they are very protective of the baby now, but I was able to touch it and the crop is full. I guess I should stop harrassing them, after all they are doing me a favour raising this baby for me Poor birds, what must be going through their little heads.
Good thing I have to go to work tonight, so they have some peace.

Reti

[Trees Gray]

Originally Posted by Reti

I tried to take some pics but they won't let me, they are very protective of the baby now, but I was able to touch it and the crop is full. I guess I should stop harrassing them, after all they are doing me a favour raising this baby for me Poor birds, what must be going through their little heads.
Good thing I have to go to work tonight, so they have some peace.

Reti

LOL I do the same thing when an egg hatches to make sure the baby is getting fed, but I can imagine it is especially nerve wracking with an adoptive baby and egg.

I'm sure Gia was just not ready yet, and needed time to get used to the baby. I hope she has plenty of crop milk!