Egg & Coupling Advice for a Home Pair

[dekebrent]

Hi folks ... hope all is well with everyone. My beloved couple, Pete (hen) & George are doing well. George continues to be a cantankerous and funny pijjie, while Pete is her usual sweet self, hopping into my hand for petting from time to time.

I have a question about Pete's egg-laying, and whether I need to put brakes on the process from time to time. The cycle usually goes as follows: Pete lays eggs (infertile -- George's paralyzed leg does not allow him to get into mating position ... at least I think ), I replace the eggs w/ fake eggs, then she and George sit on the eggs for about 2-3 weeks. After they abandon the eggs, they hang out for a week, cooing and cuddling very sweetly ... then, she lays eggs again and the cycle starts all over. So Pete lays a set of eggs once every 4-6 weeks, roughly.

Do I need to give her a break from egg laying, and if so -- how do I do it w/o splitting her apart from her mate, George? As I understand it, a coupled hen will lay eggs. She is a healthy pijjie, and I make sure she gets a good supply of calcium from grit. She and George seem happy and -- they have plenty of space, a nice big cubby, and they are spoiled w/ treats by the "big bird" in the house (me).

Look forward to hearing your thoughts -- thanks. Take care and be well, my friends ...

[Lovebirds]

Originally Posted by dekebrent

Hi folks ... hope all is well with everyone. My beloved couple, Pete (hen) & George are doing well. George continues to be a cantankerous and funny pijjie, while Pete is her usual sweet self, hopping into my hand for petting from time to time.

I have a question about Pete's egg-laying, and whether I need to put brakes on the process from time to time. The cycle usually goes as follows: Pete lays eggs (infertile -- George's paralyzed leg does not allow him to get into mating position ... at least I think ), I replace the eggs w/ fake eggs, then she and George sit on the eggs for about 2-3 weeks. After they abandon the eggs, they hang out for a week, cooing and cuddling very sweetly ... then, she lays eggs again and the cycle starts all over. So Pete lays a set of eggs once every 4-6 weeks, roughly.

Do I need to give her a break from egg laying, and if so -- how do I do it w/o splitting her apart from her mate, George? As I understand it, a coupled hen will lay eggs. She is a healthy pijjie, and I make sure she gets a good supply of calcium from grit. She and George seem happy and -- they have plenty of space, a nice big cubby, and they are spoiled w/ treats by the "big bird" in the house (me).

Look forward to hearing your thoughts -- thanks. Take care and be well, my friends ...

Probably the only way to get Pete to stop laying is to separate them. Are these birds in the house or outside in a loft? I ask because, if they are in the house, cutting back on their daylight might slow them down some. It might not too........ but it might be worth a try. If they are outside, the days are getting longer now and this is their natural time to lay and raise babies. Separating them is most likely the only thing you can do. Of course, they'll be VERY unhappy. Pigeon fanciers separate their birds for most of the year, but that's in a loft situation and even though they don't have their mate, they still have the company of the other birds, so it's not so bad.

[dekebrent]

Hey Renee! Pete and George are house birds, living the life in a room I've given them. It's only the two of them, so separating them would make them a tad cranky. George gets cranky in the morning if Pete has left the cubby before he fully wakes up -- seriously, he starts bellowing. I love these birds

Perhaps I am worrying a bit too much. Again, Pete is healthy, and she gets solid minerals, including calcium, and her eggs have been solid and healthy-looking.

[Lovebirds]

Well, I won't say it's not a problem to constantly lay. However, I do have a hen that lays almost year round. When she's with her mate AND when they are separated. She's got a hen on the side. So far, she's never had a problem. So, I guess just keep doing what you're doing and I expect she will be fine.

[jbangelfish]

They are happy that way.

Sooner or later, she will run out of eggs but it will take a while. Many years usually.

There is no harm in what they are doing. It is completely natural except they are raising no young which is actually harder on them.

Bill

[ND Cooper]

I only have 6 pigeons, but they are outside birds.
They are always paired up together, all year round. But they do not breed all year round, I guess that the elements dictate that.
How could you copy that, Indoors?, I don't think that anyone could.
Just a suggestion, have you ever thought of contacting a zoo or another indoor bird specialist?
My pigeons fly every day, in my backyard.
I can only hope that they think that they are free and living a natural life.
ND Cooper

[dekebrent]

Thanks folks, appreciate the perspectives. Pete and George are a wonderful couple. One of my favorite things is that George gives Pete the weekends off from egg-sitting. They share duties during the week, but on Saturdays and Sundays, George takes the day while Pete plays and travels around the house. Really sweet.

ND Cooper -- I wish I could give Pete and George some free flying, but George's paralyzed leg would leave him vulnerable. So I have given them an entire room in my house -- pijjie-proofed for safety, and with perches around for exercise and hanging out.

[Skyeking]

Originally Posted by dekebrent

Thanks folks, appreciate the perspectives. Pete and George are a wonderful couple. One of my favorite things is that George gives Pete the weekends off from egg-sitting. They share duties during the week, but on Saturdays and Sundays, George takes the day while Pete plays and travels around the house. Really sweet.

ND Cooper -- I wish I could give Pete and George some free flying, but George's paralyzed leg would leave him vulnerable. So I have given them an entire room in my house -- pijjie-proofed for safety, and with perches around for exercise and hanging out.

Well that has to be the most sweetest and unselfish things I've ever heard a male pigeon do for his mate. I think that is wonderful! Give him a kiss for me, some of my males could take a lesson.

I think Pete will do fine, especially with such a supportive hubby. I think the key is to just keep her interested in the dummy eggs as long as possible. Maybe a TV nearby, comfy nest bowl....and breakfast in bed????

[dekebrent]

Treesa -- Great to hear from you. Yes, George is a very good hubby to Pete ... I think she trained him well You'll be happy to hear that Pete gets breakfast in bed every morning, eggs or not ... as you know, I tend to spoil Pete and George. I hope you and your pijjies are doing well -- take care and be well.