Egg!!!

[BrianNAmy]

Well, today we came home and couldn't find Pizzie...so we were looking in every nook and cranny to see where he (Though now we know SHE!) was. She was in the corner between the love seat and sofa under the end table, so we picked her up to see if she's all right, and there's an egg! no nest...just an egg. So we cut the sides of a shoe box down to about 1.5" and filled it with paper shreds, put the egg on it. She seems a little bit confused right now, but we figure we'll give her a bit of time to find it ...it's in the same spot as it was. So now we have questions-What actions should we be taking with the birds as far as feed or anything? how can we tell if it's fertilized? (Stewy is a boy, and has tried mounting her before). IF it is fertilized how long does it take to hatch? When should the 2nd egg be layed? Will they automatically know how to take care of their baby? (or do we need to hand feed anyway?). Once we get some answers we may still switch it out for an artificial egg (we have some) but we'd like to be informed. Also if we move the nest, will that bother her? Tons of questions...kind of exciting and nervous at the same time. Please post replies
**************Brian just told me that they seem to be avoiding the shoe box...should we just put the egg back on the carpet? Or is there something better to use? Yikes!!!

[ZigZagMarquis]

Well... from Pigeons by Matthew W. Vriends... the second egg should be laid 43 to 44 hours after the first. I don't think they sit on the first one before the second one is laid? If they are fertile... you should be able to "candle" them some where between 4 and 7 days after they're laid and see; a powerful flashlight in a dark room should work, I'd think. If they are fertile and develop, they should hatch about 19 days after the second egg is laid.

As for moving them and what else to do... over to the experts!

[re lee]

The second egg will be around 5 to 6 pm the second day after the first 48 hours. 17 days later to hatch. pipping will be 16 days. there about. as said you can candle the egg in about 5 to 6 days after the second egg has been layed. Moving is iffy. But if you have a pen put them both in there with nest and first egg. On lock down . After the next egg is layed she may well sit them. I do not think she will sit where she has layed any way. BUt you never know.

[AZWhitefeather]

there's an egg! no nest
Hi Brian & Amy,
We don't have many eggs hatching around here, but for the two sets of eggs we did allow to hatch, I purchased two of the smaller 'plastic' bottoms (the piece that holds the water) of a planter pot (they are sold separately from the pot itself at Home Depot for about $3.00 each) & placed a piece of 'non-skid' rubber shelf liner in the bottom (this help to prevent the babies legs from sliding out from under them) then filled the bowl with pine needles. They worked great for Bonnie & Clyde & Sadie & Sam.

Good luck & keep us posted.

Cindy

[BrianNAmy]

Thanks for all of your help so far. We will look for the second egg in a day or two and in about a week we will see if they are fertilized or not. We've been thinking about building them a pen (we're moving in the end of next month and can't let them roam as freely) so those plans have been 'kicked up a notch' and we'll put them and the 'nest' in. Hopefully we figure something out before the 2nd egg comes. Will they know what to do? Stewy's been hand raised from about a week old, and Pizzie's been ours since about 3 weeks. It would be so sweet to watch them take care of their baby and watch it grow up. Any future eggs definitely can't be hatched, unless our circumstances change, but it'll be so neat Also is there any reason why they can't be left alone (we're going on vacation/getting married in about 2 weeks (halloween) so we'll be gone from the 27th to the 3rd...someone will be coming in to feed them daily and change the cage maybe 2 or 3 times. If the eggs start to hatch will it be alright?
Thanks again

[WhiteWingsCa]

by my calculations... if the second egg comes today (the 18th), the eggs would hatch Nov 3rd... right when you get home!

If the 2nd egg comes tomorrow, you'll be home a day before they hatch.

One thing though... you mention she was under the end table when she laid... then you mention a cage for when you are away.....

Is it an open cage, where they can come and go, and you're leaving the "nest" where it is?

If you move the nest, the birds will most likely abandon it... once they've chosen their spot, and laid, that's where they like to stay.

You also mention you're moving the end of next month. If the eggs hatch by Nov 4th, and you're not moving until Nov 30th, that is fine.. the babies will be old enough (barely) to 'wean' by then. If you're moving much before the 30th, you might want to re-think allowing this set of eggs to hatch. You've got a lot going on right now-- a wedding, a trip away, and moving ... it's going to be stressful to the birds too.... so raising babies right now might not be the best thing for them?

Once they get settled into their new home, they'll be soon back into egg production, don't worry.

[BrianNAmy]

Brian and I were talking about it this morning and we aren't going to let these eggs hatch. Having 4 adult birds would be a bit much right now, and with everything else going on as well. We still want them to be comfortable because she still layed the eggs and will want to sit on them, so if we just switch out the eggs and leave the nest where it is how long will they sit on them before they realize that they're duds?

[ZigZagMarquis]

I take it you'all have some fake eggs?

Anyway, the way I understand it... I've just read on this stuff, haven't actually seen it myself... but the way I understand is that they'll sit the fake eggs for about 19 days and then abandon them, if not sooner.

[maryco]

Hello Amy and Brian,

I think you made the right decision. Most of the time the first clutch doesn't hatch anyway, or only one baby hatches.
The second, third and forth clutches are always stronger so delaying it for now is better and when you have the time then you can have your sweet pijjies raise some squabbies for you It should be a very interesting and wonderful experience for you both!



p.s You place the fake eggs in the nest once the second real egg is laid.
And when they abandon the fake eggs (plastic or wooden) which would be around 19-22 days then you can take them away or they will roll them right out of the nest and start over.

[BrianNAmy]

Her 2nd egg is layed now...seemingly with no complications. Now we just have to wait for them to leave the nest a minute to switch them! She is so precious to watch her sitting on her eggs, and he attacks if you get too close or look at her too long. So cute

[TerriB]

Congratulations! Yes, they are very protective of their eggs. Even the quietest hen can be a real dragon in defense of her nest! Regarding the egg swap out, I hold the dummy egg long enough that it is body temperature so the change isn't quite so noticable. Prior experience as a magician is helpful in the slight of hand. ;-) Good luck!