Egg Questions

[pigeonsrock]

I know Im asking A LOT of questions but hey I'm learning from everyones answers!


Can someone please help me understand the egg laying process better. If and eggs is layed, I believe it to be non fertile, will the hen keep laying or will she only lay one more and just sit on that one? Does she know if there feritle or not fertile? If I want babies should I touch the non fertile eggs or wait 7 days and candle them then throw them out.( I was gonna do this but I then wondered will she lay 2 more?) How does this work!?

[Pigeonpal2002]

Originally Posted by pigeonsrock

Can someone please help me understand the egg laying process better. If and eggs is layed, I believe it to be non fertile, will the hen keep laying or will she only lay one more and just sit on that one? Does she know if there feritle or not fertile? If I want babies should I touch the non fertile eggs or wait 7 days and candle them then throw them out.( I was gonna do this but I then wondered will she lay 2 more?) How does this work!?

Hello,

A female pigeon should lay two eggs whether they are fertile or not. Sometimes a young hen will only lay one but this doesn't happen very often. The female usually doesn't know whether or not they eggs are infertile, especially during the first week or so. You will need to candle the eggs after 3 days to be sure whether or not they are fertile, otherwise you and she won't know

[pigeonsrock]

So if there infertile and I throw them out, how long until she lays more. Or until she mates and has fertile ones?

[Pigeonpal2002]

Originally Posted by pigeonsrock

So if there infertile and I throw them out, how long until she lays more. Or until she mates and has fertile ones?

Hi, sorry I should have written more....

If they are infertile, then you can throw them out but replace them with fake/dummy eggs. They are plastic or wood and can be bought at craft stores or the pigeon supply stores for cheap.

The reason to replace eggs is so that the hen doesn't lay more often than she needs to. This will deplete her calcium and energy reserves and you don't want that to happen.

She will lay eggs about once every 3-4 weeks depending on mating/time of year.

[pigeonsrock]

Ok, 1 more question, when I feed them will she get off the nest to eat or just not get food for that day?

[Trees Gray]

Originally Posted by pigeonsrock

Ok, 1 more question, when I feed them will she get off the nest to eat or just not get food for that day?

If she has a mate, then she will be off "nest duty" and he will keep the egg/eggs warm. She can then tend to her needs, including eating and drinking. She should have access to food and water within the breeder box also, especially if she is alone.

[Pigeonpal2002]

Originally Posted by pigeonsrock

Ok, 1 more question, when I feed them will she get off the nest to eat or just not get food for that day?

She will get off the nest, when her mate comes to relieve her sitting duties If you want to help her further, you could place a small bowl of seeds right by her nest and she can just stretch her neck out to eat. This isn't really necessary though because she will get off the nest for short periods during the day to eat whether she has a mate or not.