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#31
18th March 2009, 11:09 AM
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I also felt sad initally taking the birds eggs. However, raising babies takes a lot of energy and effort and puts a stress on your birds. Think about how many life options you are unable to offer your dog or cat or other pets. Generally, they are not allowed to choose a mate, defend a territory, etc.
Pigeons really enjoy the other phases of the reproductive cycle: courtship, nest building, and setting eggs. Without producing additional birds or stressing your pets, you can provide them the opportunity to enjoy those activities. When you swap out eggs, it helps if you pre-warm them (hold them against your body for about 5 minutes). I think it's better if the birds don't actually see you make the swap. One way is to briefly remove the setting bird and make the switch. My preference is to palm the warmed dummy eggs, slip my hand (palm down) under the bird (prepare for vocalizations, pecking, and wing wacking), place the dummies and pick up the real eggs, then smoothly remove your hand. This usually only takes a few seconds. I usually offer some treat seed (hemp, safflower, raw peanut pieces) as a peace offering.  You may find that one bird is less stressed by this than the other, so try to make the switch on their shift. (Males generally set during mid-day, females the rest of the time.) This time of year, I like to save the real eggs and color them for an adorable Easter egg display! 
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Terri B 
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#32
18th March 2009, 02:06 PM
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Somehow I think I'm gonna like it here!
 Although, methinks you could all be very bad influences on me . . . feeding a budding addiction and all. Those kings are really captivating. And I can't seem to get those nun pigeons out of my head since first seeing them the other day. Oy! I'm off to find that thread. Thanks, Debbie.
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#33
18th March 2009, 02:17 PM
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I have saved our mourning dove's eggs, though, because I know they are infertile (she's a spinster), blown them out, and intend to paint them up at Easter. Glad to know there are other minds that work this way.  And thanks for the practical guide to swapping the eggs. I hadn't thought about pre-warming them. I wish I had, though, because when I took the real eggs, I was struck by how toasty warm they were. I won't be worrying out those little pidgie feet on cold nights anymore! You're right about all pets' lives being limited in order to make them "keepable." We all do what we can to provide them happy lives, and, let's face it, without many of us, these little creatures would have no lives at all. Our Ddog DOES get to defend territory, though. Every month he saves us from the evil encroachment of . . . the meter reader. He is absolutely convinced that, if not for his barking and snarling tirade, something very, very bad would happen to us all.  It drives my husband nuts that I let him bark at him that way, but I think it makes Ddog feel important and fulfilled. He walks around all puffed up and tough for the rest of the day . . . until he's emasculated by having to ignore the mourning dove that is often lying on his bed. Poor guy. He's a good egg.
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#34
20th March 2009, 03:35 PM
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I have a pair of dove hens, and they both lay eggs. I take two eggs out, and they take turns on the two left just like a regular couple. For my unreleasable mated house birds I swap the eggs as soon as they are laid, and then its not so bad. A good plastic egg helps the parents feel like they are doing a good job, but they dont have the stress of raising the young time after time. Its better for your birds.
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Wovenwoman
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#35
21st March 2009, 04:17 PM
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Quote:
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Terri B
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