Lovey & Snow

[BansheeX9]

My heart is broken Sunday both Lovey and Snow my two white ringneck doves died. I made a terrible mistake in putting the cochin chicks I have been brooding in with the doves and not moving them out soon enough.

Just to put things straight I do not blame the chicks it was my fault putting young chickens an omnivorous bird in with defenseless seed eating soft-bills. I should have moved the chicks Friday when I saw they had reached the same size as the doves but I put it off. As a result I have learned a very painful lesson on why you do not mix species in the same enclosure even temporarily.

We had Lovey for 10 years & snow Was his only albino chick. It's hard to express how much those little birds meant to us. Lovey had been a huge part of our life for so long & now the house seems too quiet without his gentle coo's. I got lovey soon after I met my husband. He had been my little cooing companion for so long. I still can't belive they are gone. Snow was hatched in this house she was the only white dove, & female out of the three youngsters that Lovey and Shauna bred. I worry for Shauna now with Lovey her mate gone. Is it true doves will perish without thier mate?

[TAWhatley]

Indeed a very sad loss of the two doves and indeed a very hard lesson for you. I am so very sorry this happened.

The surviving mate may or may not do OK. It's been my experience that usually a surviving mate will have a rough few days but will then go on with life. Having said that, I have also had surviving mates simply lose the desire to live and pass away within about two weeks of the loss of their mate. If you are able to get a companion dove for the survivor, that would probably be a good move.

Terry

[whytwings]

That is a sad story ......and I feel for you !
Hopefully what Terry has suggested might be an option for your dove .

Best wishes

[BansheeX9]

I have moved her two sons in with her so she has companionship. Since they are related no more hatching eggs but at least she will have company.