New "egg"-ma and -pa (naturally - questions)

[Dezirrae]

Noel gave us our first egg last night I had read how small Dove eggs were - but couldn't really 'picture' it til now (ah-em, no pun intended). Glad these are two ladies - otherwise we might be having little dovies sooner than Dave & I are ready for We're heading out today to find replacement eggs - hopefully - at one of the local pet stores or craft stores. Otherwise - I guess express online ordering!! And I am correct that we leave the fake eggs under them until 1) she looses interest in sitting on them; or 2) 14 days is up. So far she's only laid one - I'm guessing another one may be on it's way today.

Do they really lay eggs every 3 weeks??? Guess I hadn't looked into the egg issue too closely before So we know to replace the egg(s); we are going to get them some of the hi-cal grit today and look for crushed oyster shell (although I did check the list of ingredients on the Kaytee Dove supreme food and it is fortified with calciferol and/or cholecalciferol).

I've seen recommendations for garlic here and am going to re-read the sticky but is that good for the doves too? And is it powder or an oil -- gets mixed with the food or water? I'm giving them 1/4 cup of the Kaytee Supreme mix (changing daily) - they have yet to finish it all in one day.

The previous owner recommended mixing some king of oil (maybe vegtable?? paper I wrote it down on got tossed by accident) -- does that sound right?

As always - thanks everyone (in advance) for your advice. And of course, here's a picture of the proud Momma

[Lovebirds]

Boy, that was quick!! I guess they like living with you!!
Well, if you TRULY have two hens, most likely you will get 4 eggs and they lay them every other day. This one was laid on the 7th, so you should get another one tomorrow (9th). IF they both are going to lay eggs, you might get one tonight, one tomorrow night and one Monday night. Just depends on whether they are "in sinc" with each other. I've got hens that mate up and they don't ALWAYS lay 4 eggs, but most of the time they do.
I'm not really sure about the grit. I would guess that doves need the same as pigeons, but don't know for sure. Someone will be along in a while. I've never had a dove before..........

[Dezirrae]

Thanks Renee for that info I do truly hope they are two hens as well -- only time will tell I suppose. No other egg showed up yesterday so it could be that Juliet & Noel are not in sync. It is rather funny to watch because Juliet keeps trying to push Noel outta the way to sit on the egg. At other times neither of them are directly on it, but rather it's slightly off to the side between them.

They didn't seem to go to much for the hi-cal grit and oyster shells I bought yesterday so today I'm trying mixing little bits of both in with the grit (Hartz) they seem to like.

I was able to find wooden eggs at the craft store yesterday - smallest I could find were Robin egg size which look just a tad larger than the dove egg. I'll see what they think of it... should I paint it though? Right now it's just the unfinished wood. If I should paint it - what type of paint would be safe to use?

A word of warning -- never, never go to a pet store around the holiday's on adoption day though. I went in for four items and came out 1 1/2 later just cause I had to look at every kitten and ooooo and awwwww over them (especially a tinsy weensy 6 wk old fuzz ball that was about the size of my palm). And had to do the same with every bird they had for sale too -- including four diamond doves that someone ordered & then changed their mind. Hmmmm... maybe if I take Dave back with me today (forgot the cuttlebone - figured I'd try it) if we'd come back with some diamond doves.... He is really as much (if not more) of a suxer for animals as I am.

Oh - and I read through the sticky about the garlic - and am still quite confused. Can I use the softgels from the grocery store? And does it get mixed with the food?

[Dezirrae]

Well egg #2 did show up today - just not sure whether it was the second egg from Noel or the first from Juliet.

[Lovebirds]

Originally Posted by Dezirrae

Well egg #2 did show up today - just not sure whether it was the second egg from Noel or the first from Juliet.

Only time will tell....if it's the ONLY egg today, then it's the second egg from Noel. If another one appears, then it's BOTH!!

[Maggie-NC]

Well, however many they lay, they sure are pretty together.

[Dezirrae]

Aw - thank you Maggie I could just sit & watch them forever.

Third one just showed up moments ago - I think this most recent one was from Juliet... I looked up and the neck area was all poofed up - kind of like the pictures I've seen of a male's bow-coo. So I went over to see what was up and saw that we now had three little eggies. So Noel is taking her turn sitting on the three of them while Juliet gets her feathers settled again She's so proud of herself

One other question -- and please excuse me if this is in any way "blunt" -- but where exactly does the egg come from? I tried a quick Google search on dove anatomy and it didn't bring anything up. I'm guessing from what I've read that the "vent" is where their poop comes from - does the egg also come from the vent?

[TAWhatley]

Originally Posted by Dezirrae

I'm guessing from what I've read that the "vent" is where their poop comes from - does the egg also come from the vent?

Yep .. that's where the egg exits the body. Here's some interesting links:

http://people.eku.edu/ritchisong/avianreproduction.html
http://birdsnways.com/wisdom/ww32eiv.htm
http://www.holisticbirds.com/pages/reproductive0803.htm

Terry

[pdpbison]

Hi dezirrae,



As these Eggs are infertile...there is no need to substitute fake-eggs...you can simply leave them, and, they will not hatch.


Pretty Doves..!


Phill
lv

[Dezirrae]

Thank you Terry and Phil!

Great reading on those links Terry. Definite bookmarks

Phil -- even though they aren't cracked or anything don't they "go bad" (a.k.a. smell) after a few days? Sure would be easier just to leave them there. I've read you leave them until the loose interest -- is that correct; they'll just loose interest after a bit?

[Lovebirds]

Originally Posted by Dezirrae

Thank you Terry and Phil!

Great reading on those links Terry. Definite bookmarks

Phil -- even though they aren't cracked or anything don't they "go bad" (a.k.a. smell) after a few days? Sure would be easier just to leave them there. I've read you leave them until the loose interest -- is that correct; they'll just loose interest after a bit?

I personally would remove and replace with fake eggs. There's always the chance that one could get broken accidently and what a mess that makes. I also, when my hens pair and lay 4 eggs, remove two of the eggs. They'll sit on two just fine. They don't "know" that there are 4 eggs there. Just makes it easier for them to cover and stay comfortable while "incubating".........and, yes, just leave the eggs until they decide that they've sat on them long enough and walk away. Then they'll start all over again.!

[mr squeaks]

Wow! Surrogate MOM (you) and DAD (Dave)... how fun!

Treesa is usually our natural food site guru. I know some put a little fresh garlic in a gallon of water and give this garlic water to their birds. Olive oil is good to use to "glisten" seeds...just make sure it's fresh. Phil recommendes keeping in the refrigerator to avoid becoming rancid.

The proud "parents" are just beautiful and will, I'm sure, "lovingly" sit on whatever fake eggs they have.

I, along with my fellow members, will look forward to updates!

ENJOY!!

Hugs and Scritches

Shi & Squeaks

[Dezirrae]

Originally Posted by mr squeaks

I know some put a little fresh garlic in a gallon of water and give this garlic water to their birds. Olive oil is good to use to "glisten" seeds...just make sure it's fresh. Phil recommendes keeping in the refrigerator to avoid becoming rancid.

Shi,

I think you are a mind reader!! I was just researching the garlic today -- every now & then Noel will sneeze so it got me thinking I'd best get them on the garlic! When you say "a little" in with a gallon of water - about how much is a little? Thanks for the tip about the olive oil - I'll start doing that tomorrow. One thing that never goes bad in our house - olive oil & vinegar... Dave loves both - so if anything, we run out!!

In my searches I found a thread from about a year or so ago talking about adding some ACV to the water as well - so I did that this morning.

It is so funny watching them with the eggs. All four that were laid are now replaced (I left two of the fake eggs in as suggested - thanks Renee - they do look more comfty on 2 rather than 4 ). They trade off every day - one day Noel will have "daytime duty", the next day Juliet will have "daytime duty".

Oh - another question... the perches that came with the new cage are pretty smooth... is there anything that I can do to them that would make them more "gripable" -- Juliet seems to slip on them; Noel seems to be better with them. We did buy one of those texturized perches and Juliet loves that one.

Thanks everyone!! Dezirrae

[CHRISTIN RN]

YEY for you and Dave!

I'll be sooooo scared when I see any of my guys lay eggs!...The birdies, I mean! LOL Unless I really luck out and they're all males/cocks.

So I guess they really are cute little gals if they laid 2 eggs each, right???

Everyone is so great here to share their knowlege!
I appreciate those info. sites you provided, Terry! Thanks!


Lousy weather we're having, Dez, huh? Glad you and Dave are having fun with Juliet and Noel. What an adventure so soon after getting them!

As far as the perches go, I placed some foam tubing on my wood perches and seemed to work fine. Depending on the thickness of the perch, you may have to get some of that tacky gum stuff to put under the foam if the perch is too narrow. I believe I got it at Home Depot/Lowes...one of the home improvement stores and it may be in the insulation isle. It may even come in different sizes...not sure.

Also, Dez, thanks for the info. on the cage....I ordered one for Rally and Ally and it should be here any day now....hopefully by tomorrow!

RE: Garlic....I've been using the one peeled clove to a gallon of water overnite as suggested here. Then just give it a shake in the morning and pour in their dishes every couple of days. At the end of the week, I give the rest to the rabbits and dogs in their water and then make a new batch.

I'll quick go check out your pics, Dez, before sleepy-time! Be careful driving on the ice tomorrow....stay home if you can. I have to go to work in the morning, but will try to get out early and get home to finish my Greeting cards and outdoor decorations! The weather put a damper on my trying to get things done early!!!

Glad everything is going well with the 2 fake eggs!

[Trees Gray]

Originally Posted by Dezirrae

Can I use the softgels from the grocery store? And does it get mixed with the food?

You can use the ones Wal Mart sells, but I'm not sure if you can get them down their throats-they are smaller then my pigeons. I wouldn't do this if you are not sure what you are doing, as they can get stuck if the bird is too small.

I usually put a drop of Neem oil on the small capsule, and put it right down the back of the tongue, push gently, and then allow them to swallow and rub under their beak in a downward motion. However, I'm not sure about doves, as I use these on my pigeons and they are bigger. You can add a piece of cut up garlic clove and put that in their water, it works...as long as they drink it. The garlic cap works more efficiently, cause you know they are getting the whole serving. I usually give them one a week. I have given them to my smaller pigeons, but I think they are bigger then the doves.

Your doves are beautiful, by the way. You can also boil the eggs and give two of them back. Try to keep them interested in sitting on the eggs as long as possible, it will help replenish their calcium reserves, and once they lose interest they will go right back and lay more eggs-which can be a problem in itself-as they weren't born to lay them continually like chickens.