Pigeon Eggs Unattended

[feralpigeon]

Hi there,
How long can a pigeon egg go unattended and remain viable?I found a pigeon nest in a discarded carpet on a fire escape with one deceased squab and one egg. I relocated it to an active nest which continues to be attended by parents diligently and wondered does this egg have a chance of hatching if it was not "sat on" for a few days?
fp

[Pigeonpal2002]

Hi Feral pigeon,

Thank you for trying to help this unborn bird. It would seem that this egg is unlikely to hatch. You said that there was a deceased squab in the nest and this egg, chances are this egg was either infertile or the embryo died in the shell. Pigeon's eggs cannot go days without incubation and remain viable either. This is only possible with newly layed eggs that are removed from the nest and stored in a cool, dark place.

[feralpigeon]

Thanks Brad! Another thought, will the pigeons know that the egg isn't worth doting over? Mama pij sure seemed interested when I showed it to her.
fp

[Pigeonpal2002]

Originally Posted by feralpigeon

Thanks Brad! Another thought, will the pigeons know that the egg isn't worth doting over? Mama pij sure seemed interested when I showed it to her.
fp

That's a hard question to answer. Some pigeons are particulary savvy with their eggs and instinctively know if they are infertile or diseased and will discard them. Pigeons are not usually this insightful though. They can hear the chick and sense the movements inside as they get closer to hatching so they will know to incubate these eggs to term.

[blkramhemi]

Hello Guys,

Sounds as if i have one of the insightful ones..... I have a hen that laid two eggs, one damaged by another coop mate.... the other she want sit on.... could she have none, it wasnt fertile????

I put the second egg in with another pair, Now adopted.... its been well over the aloted time for incubation.... well over 15- 18 days old, how long should i wait before discarding the egg???? There is the black sack inside the egg, doesnt seem to be growing....

Thanks

[Lovebirds]

Originally Posted by blkramhemi

Hello Guys,

I have a pair that laid two eggs, one damaged by another coop mate.... the other abandoned, and now adopted by another pair, its been well over the aloted time for incubation.... well over 15- 18 days old, how long should i wait before discarding the egg???? There is the black sack inside the egg, but has not gotten bigger....

Thanks

I assume that you've candled it? I'm not sure what the "black sack" is, so IMO, I'd wait a few more days. I've got eggs pipping right now that according to MY calculations, should have hatched on the 3rd. I can hear the chick pecking the egg, so of course I'm just leaving it alone to see what happens. I've never had it take 21 days for an egg to hatch, but there's a first time for everything I guess.

[TheSnipes]

Originally Posted by blkramhemi

Hello Guys,

I have a pair that laid two eggs, one damaged by another coop mate.... the other abandoned, and now adopted by another pair, its been well over the aloted time for incubation.... well over 15- 18 days old, how long should i wait before discarding the egg???? There is the black sack inside the egg, but has not gotten bigger....

Thanks

There is a thread on here, somewhere, about an egg that was incubated for over a month and hatched just the very day the owner decided to pitch it. So best bet is to leave it till there's just no chance