Nesting in a plant pot

[Pigeonpal2002]

Hi Gladys,

Yes, as Renee pointed out, you shouldn't worry too much really at this point. The hen wouldn't stay on the nest to the point of starvation or dying. It's really hard to know for sure what is going on with these 2 pigeons, particularly the male bird it would seem

I have a single female pigeon who lays eggs herself regularly. She sits on her nest 24 hours a day, non stop. The only times she gets up is to eat, drink, poop and stretch. These times are quite brief too, 5 minutes at a time maybe then it's back to her nest

It would really help this hen out if your could provide a dish of seed and a bowl of water though. This will keep her strength up and she'll do just fine for the longer periods that her mate isn't around.

[Pisciottano]

Hi Brad,
Allright, then. Water I have been giving them from the beginning. I'll see what I can find in the way of seeds at the supermarket. I doubt I'll find special food for pigeons, I will for pet birds like canaries. Epinal is a small town (35000 inhabitants), the only pet shop we used to have closed some years ago. Last summer I did put some seeds (millet) on the balcony not so much for the parents but for the little one when I thought his parents had abandoned him. Unfortunately it was the sparrows who ate them in no time. There were so many that a neighbour (you can guess the type) asked me if I was keeping birds in my apartment, which, of course I wasn't. Anyway, I'll provide whatever type of bird seed I can find and we will see. Thanks again. Gladys

[Pisciottano]

Hi everybody,

Just reporting a little bit on what is going on with my non conservative pigeons. I'm glad to say that dad has gradually increased his shift in the nest from 3 hours to a full 7 hours period. But so far as a time table is concerned well you never know who is where and when. Today he waited patiently until 9 pm before she showed up to take her night shift. The only sure thing is that SHE takes the night shift starting any time between 6 pm and 9 pm.
Last summer this same couple kept very regular hours. I cannot help wondering why they are so different this year.

I have finally found a seed mixture for them. It is really intended for doves and is composed of millet plata, rye, wheat, buckwheat, oats, vetch, corn, and rice. There are two other seeds that I cannot translate: black dari and white dari. One of the seeds in the packet is black and they don't seem to care for it. Does anybody know which one it is and why they don't like it? This mixture is the nearest thing I could find as they don't seem to sell food specifically for pigeons.

The first egg was laid on the 9th July and the second one two days later. They should be hatched in the next 4 or 5 days?? Last year only one little one survived. Hope will do better this time.

This will be all for this time. Any helpful advice about seeds? Thanks a lot. Gladys

[maryjane]

Hi Gladys,
Thanks for keeping an eye on them . If you are unable to find pigeon seed, you can offer them a mix of other bird seeds, and add some raw peanuts if you like. Safflower is their favorite (as far as I've seen), a seed similar to a sunflower seed when it's shelled. Those are a bit hard to find in grocery stores, though. My birds also like a mix of fresh veggies and fruits; romaine lettuce, apples cut up, bits of orange, bits of carrot, coleslaw mix, etc. (Uncooked) popcorn is part of their pigeon mix from the feed store, so you might try some popcorn, and some kind of grit in the form of oyster shells or similar is always good but if you can't locate it, they'll find other ways of obtaining grit since they're in the wild. My birds do like a bit of popped popcorn once in awhile, too. What fun for you to have "pet" wild birds, and to look forward to babies appearing soon!

[Pisciottano]

Hello Maryjane,
Thanks so much for your reply. I don't suppose you know which of the seeds I mention in my message is the black one my pigeons dont like? If I could identify it by name I would avoid buying a mix which includes it. It is the only black seed in the package, in fact it is more like a grain than a seed. When I bought this mix I had the hen in mind because of the long hours she remains in the nest. But, even if she does eat some of it very daintly and leaving the black grains aside, it is the cock who really goes for it and gulps it all in in no time!!!!!!!!! What surprises me is that he does this when he ARRIVES for his "shift". I would have thought that he would have already eaten BEFORE taking his turn. Well, I won't bore any longer with my lack of experience. Thanks again for writing to me. Your advice will not be lost. Gladys

[TerriB]

The seed mix you listed seems like it has a nice variety. Not sure what dari is, except that it is in some pigeon mixes. The only black seed I've seen in the pigeon mix is poppy seed, which the hens LOVE! If you want to supplement your mix, you might add some protein (dried peas or lentils) while they are raising babies. During cooler weather, popcorn is especially helpful as a source of calories to help them stay warm.

Regarding the erratic shift schedule, especially with the male's ravenous appetite after he has been out and about, I wonder if the food sources they used previously have become more erratic. Most feral pigeons have several feeding sites they can use. If those aren't available, it can take awhile to search for dinner, if they can find anything to eat. Luckily for this pair, your "kitchen" is open for business!

[Pisciottano]

Hello Terri,

Thanks for your advice. Here is a bit of news: I have two newly born baby guests on my balcony. The first one was already there when I got up at 7 o'clock this morning, and the second one had been hatched when I came back home some six hours later. The egg shells have disappeared. I always wonder what happens to them after hatching. Do you know?The little ones are very tiny. For the moment I have only seen dad feed "them" but I get the impresion that it is always the same one who gets fed.

I have had to move the bowl with the seeds right close to the nest hidden behind a packet of compost otherwise the sparrows "steal" all the seeds. These pigeons don't seem to care but I think that if the sparrows came near the nest neither mom nor dad would appreciate it? I like sparrows but there are too many, they seem to pass the word on and each day there are more and more coming for the feast. I was sorry for them this morning as they kept looking for the seed bowl and making such a fuss.I did leave the water at the usual place for them. Hope you don't judge me too severely.

This will be all for this time. Will write again if in trouble. For the moment I feed the parents and they in turn feed the babies, so all is well. Thanks again, Gladys

[Trees Gray]

Thanks for your advice. Here is a bit of news: I have two newly born baby guests on my balcony. The first one was already there when I got up at 7 o'clock this morning, and the second one had been hatched when I came back home some six hours later.

Congratulations on the hatchlings!

The egg shells have disappeared. I always wonder what happens to them after hatching. Do you know?

They probably became airborn and are out of sight. From my own pigeons, I have seen them dropped out of the nest, and become air born by wind, as they are so light. I also have some pigeons that leave them in the nest, and I remove them.

The little ones are very tiny. For the moment I have only seen dad feed "them" but I get the impresion that it is always the same one who gets fed.

I would definitely keep my eye on them, and make sure both are getting fed.

I have had to move the bowl with the seeds right close to the nest hidden behind a packet of compost otherwise the sparrows "steal" all the seeds. These pigeons don't seem to care but I think that if the sparrows came near the nest neither mom nor dad would appreciate it?


Thank you for watching over them and giving them food and water, you have made their lives easier. They won't mess with the sparrows, unless the sparrows get too close, then they may be seen as a threat.

[Lady Tarheel]

Gladys, congratulations on the new babies and I hope they thrive.

The black seed you mention may be what we call rape seed. They are perfectly round and our pigeons love them as much as they do safflour seed. I think thistle seed (which goldfinches love) are black but more elongated than the rape seed.

Personally, I have never been a big fan of feeding them popped popcorn because I always worry about it swelling up in them. The unpopped popcorn seems to be just fine for them.

[Pisciottano]

Hello anyone who knows,

I'd like to attach some photos I've managed to take of my baby pigeons and their parents to my messages to you. Can someone explain to me how to do this? Thanks a lot. Gladys

[Trees Gray]

Originally Posted by Pisciottano

Hello anyone who knows,

I'd like to attach some photos I've managed to take of my baby pigeons and their parents to my messages to you. Can someone explain to me how to do this? Thanks a lot. Gladys

Hi Gladys,

You can either upload them here from your picture file, or just post the web address of the picture, if they are on webshots, or another web file.

You have to make sure the picture are under 100kb, before they can be attached. After you post your messge, click on "manage attachments", browse your picture file and save the pic you want and then upload it to our forum.

[Pisciottano]

Here I go trying to post photos.

[Pigeonpal2002]

Hi Gladys,

If you want, you can email me your pictures and I'll gladly post them for you when I can.

[Pigeonpal2002]

Hi Gladys and All,

Here are are the photos that Gladys took of the pigeons on her balcony. The babies are just adorable and the parents look mighty fine too! You have a beautiful balcony with a great view, Gladys

Sorry it took me so long to get them posted, I had some things to do around here and am just now getting to the posts/emails etc.

[Lady Tarheel]

Brad thanks for posting Gladys' pictures because they are great! She captured mom or pop feeding the babies at just the right moment. They are soooo cute!

Gladys, love the view of the water. What a great place to live.