Hi. Pigeon laid 2 eggs

[Beth1965]

Hi I am new to here. Thanks for any information you can give me. I just took in a female pigeon from a rehabber. the reason it went to a rehabber is because someone domesticated it and left it behind when they moved out and it landed on a persons head while he was cooking out. Well, it shocked him and he swung at it poking it in the right eye with a barbecue fork. So it cannot be released so I took it as I love all birds. She is wonderful. But....She just laid 2 eggs about 1 week ago. I have no experience with this. I have tried to candle the eggs and see if they are fertile but Im just not sure. My question is if they are and they both hatch should she beable to raise them herself or will I have to intervene and help her? I know in the wild both parents raise them that is why I ask. The rehabber said she appears to be healthy. She gave her vaccines as I have other birds. She also tx her for lice and mites of any kind. But she does itch and shake occasionally. But she wont take a bath while she is incubating her eggs either. Can I mist her when she is off eggs? Thanks for any help. This is a wonderful website and I am so glad you are all here. I have starlings and a African Grey Parrot also. Thanks again. Beth

[Charis]

Beth, If you only have one pigeon and she hasn't been with a male pigeon, there's no way the eggs will hatch. We always let our hens go through the cycle anyway because it's hard on them to keep laying eggs. Once they start this process it continues whether they have a pigeon mate or not.
I would be helpful to know which vaccinations the rehabber gave this pigeon. A lot of times they are itchy when they have worms. Did the rehabber worm her? They also are itchy when they are molting. If you want her to bathe and pigeons do love to bathe, put a tub of warm water in the kitchen sink and show her where it is. Splash your hand around in the water a bit and she will get the message.
Poor little thing ...I'm glad you took her in. You sound like a very kind person.

[Beth1965]

She laid the two eggs 2 days after she came to me. So I am not at all sure if she had a male with her before that or not. Either is the rehabber. The rehabber had her for about 4-5 days. when I got her she started trying to feed me when I would pet her. She gave her vaccine Polymo virus or something like that. I will have to ask if she wormed her. I do think she is molting. I see lots of white dander on her. Thanks for the info and I will let you know what happens with the egg situation. how long should I leave the eggs with her. I would just die if I get rid of them and they are fertile. I did get fake pigeon eggs for her just in case so she will stop laying. Thanks Beth :")

[Trees Gray]

Originally Posted by Beth1965

how long should I leave the eggs with her. I would just die if I get rid of them and they are fertile. I did get fake pigeon eggs for her just in case so she will stop laying. Thanks Beth :")

Give her a nice nest bowl and allow her to keep the eggs as long as she shows interest in them. You can remove them once she isn't trying to incubate them anymore and ignores them. Do not worry about fertile eggs, if they are fertile. There is no cell division or life, until incubation begins.

Thank you for your kindness towards this bird.

[philodice]

Oh, that poor thing. I probably would have been startled to have a bird land on my head before I got the doves. Now it's just business as usual.

[Teresa]

What a kind heart you have to take in the little handicapped hen and to show so much love and concern for her! I wish you both all the happiness in the world.

PS. Have you given her a name yet?

[Beth1965]

Her name is Snuggles as she loves to lay on my chest and snuggle right up into my neck and hair. She is a sweet little girl. I just built her a nest bowl today and put her eggs in that. She really likes it and is now able to keep eggs together better. In a way I so wish at least one would be fertile and hatch. She would be such a good little mamma. She loves standing on my head. I went out and bought her a great big Ferret cage with platforms and 3 different levels. Put a nest box in there but she prefers the platform. Now she has her nest bowl and she is on enclosed back porch so she gets to see the outside but be inside. She actually seems afraid and shakes when she sees the other birds outside. She is not afraid of the normal noises in a household that I would think she would be afraid of. Even my Parrot is afraid of the cleaner but not her. Thanks for all your nice comments and all the helpful information. I will keep you posted on her eggs. Its exciting")

[Beth1965]

Can a single pigeon parent raise two babies if these eggs are fertile? Will it be to much for her? Will I need to help? Never tube fed a baby before. Any info would be appreciated. Thanks Beth

[Trees Gray]

It has been known to happen, but it might be too much for her and stress her out.

[Beth1965]

I know this sounds dumb but how do I tell if she is to stressed? She is so devoted to her two eggs it is amazing. I make her get out of her cage and stretch and fly some. Then she goes potty. She will not go in cage with her eggs. And let me tell ya the poop is as big as her eggs(well almost). Then I mist her every other day as she wont take a bath. She itches and shakes all the time and preens at herself. She was treated for lice and mites. I have to make sure she was treated for worms. Would that be treated with Ivermectin? She is such a great little creature. Thanks for all the info. I will let you know what happens with the eggs. Not long to go now before I should know if they will hatch or not. I guess they say 18 days is the duration?

[TheSnipes]

Let her love her eggs 99% chance they are infertile, but if not, you can help her along raising the babes.

The shivering when she sees the outside birds, they do that and it's not necessarily fear, but just one of their 'things' they do. It may mean excitement, or just interest. As for ebeing afraid of household items and noises..i have parrots that have been with me their entire life times who are terrified of the vacuum cleaner. Then again I have pigeons who have been in the house a short while, I can put that thing's hose right in their cage and sweep the seeds from the floor...they just stand there and watch. Go figure? They have a whole different idea of what to be afraid of..

[Beth1965]

Thank you for clearing up that shivering thing. Had me worried. I am still waiting to see what these eggs are going to do. I am nervous but at same time excited. Will she give up on her own when they do not hatch in a certain amount of time or will I have to just take them?. Sorry I have so many questions but new to this pigeon and egg expereince. Loving it though I never realized what sweet birds they were. Thanks.

[pigeonmama]

I have some very tame pigeons that will shake with excitement when they see me. It's not always a "fear" thing.
Daryl

[philodice]

Originally Posted by pigeonmama

I have some very tame pigeons that will shake with excitement when they see me. It's not always a "fear" thing.
Daryl

That's good to know, I always wondered about the shaking.

[Beth1965]

I just put a pic of Snuggles on here with one of her eggs. Of course she was turned so you cannot see her bum eye. It took me forever to put pic on here. Im new to all this computer stuff but learning. I am happy to hear that the shaking is normal. She shakes whenever I come into the room to. THat would be nice if she was glad to see me.