I have 3 pairs that are setting. I keep finding broken eggs that have peck marks. One pair that was setting and I didn't bother them, when I checked after 20 days, was setting on broken shells. I feed grit and oyster shell also so it is not weak shells. These are all first time layers. Do you think they are just awkward about this cause they haven't set before?
egg problems
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They are racing homers, there are only the 6 birds, many nests to choose from (10). One cock is more dominate than the others but he is a faithful setter also. He spends a lot of time on the nest, this was the one with broken shells being set on. I moved an egg from another nest to his and both are setting round the clock. Guess I can't do anything but wait and see if new eggs will hatch. This is my first try at pigeons and not having much luck. I am just feeding and watering and not disturbing them, although I didn't disturb them before either. May have to go to chickens like my wife wants!!!!!
They are racing homers, there are only the 6 birds, many nests to choose from (10). One cock is more dominate than the others but he is a faithful setter also. He spends a lot of time on the nest, this was the one with broken shells being set on. I moved an egg from another nest to his and both are setting round the clock. Guess I can't do anything but wait and see if new eggs will hatch. This is my first try at pigeons and not having much luck. I am just feeding and watering and not disturbing them, although I didn't disturb them before either. May have to go to chickens like my wife wants!!!!!
Relax, some times new pairs in a loft take time to do the Job, also young birds take time. I have learned ANY new pair of pigeons, or cage Bird, that the first nest is an experiment, no matter how old the young birds are. That is why i pair them up young, and they make better long term pairs. Just let them go a round or two, and it will work out.... What type of grit and feed are you giving them? Dave
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I agree with Dave on this one. Give them time and they'll get the hang of things.
I concure, love that word, yes I concure. You may have a little disruption going on in the loft.Some of the best advice I got was to get a stool and watch!
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I read somewhere that pigeons will peck at thin/weak eggs until they break then consume part of them. Can anyone confirm or deny this? In terms of survival, it sounds like a logical occurence....
grit
The grit I give them is granite, oystershell, some granulated minerals and some charcoal bits. Free choice and they do eat it. Feed is corn, black sunflower seeds, milo, and peas. They do not like to eat chicken pellets. There are no pigeon feed sources in rural missouri and they eat this just fine. I feed once a day, at 7-8 am and change water then also. I also check feed and water about 4-5 pm. I have had no health issues. 4x8 coop for the 6 birds with an outside screened areea for fresh air and sunshine. Thats about all I can think of.
The grit I give them is granite, oystershell, some granulated minerals and some charcoal bits. Free choice and they do eat it. Feed is corn, black sunflower seeds, milo, and peas. They do not like to eat chicken pellets. There are no pigeon feed sources in rural missouri and they eat this just fine. I feed once a day, at 7-8 am and change water then also. I also check feed and water about 4-5 pm. I have had no health issues. 4x8 coop for the 6 birds with an outside screened areea for fresh air and sunshine. Thats about all I can think of.
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Honestly, at this point, the best thing I can tell you is to just watch them and see what happens with the next sets of eggs. I've never had a pigeon peck it's own egg.
Sounds like you have plenty of room and are doing everything right. Maybe it IS because this was their first time? I don't know........I've never had this problem.......
Sounds like you have plenty of room and are doing everything right. Maybe it IS because this was their first time? I don't know........I've never had this problem.......
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That is strange to me. The only crack eggs I had was when I didn't put enough beddings so the eggs get dented and crack. I also had those moments when I got wing slapped and the eggs I was holding went flying.
Hopefully your birds are not fighting against each other and trampling their eggs. I also hope that they get nice sun. Still try to put the chicken pellets there. It took my birds 3 months to get used to it. Add 10% to your mix. I gradually increased mine until I give them 50% of the mix. They will get used to it.
Are the eggs thin shells?
Have you tried adding wheat to your mix? I really don't know why, but wheat seems to do good for them.
Hopefully your birds are not fighting against each other and trampling their eggs. I also hope that they get nice sun. Still try to put the chicken pellets there. It took my birds 3 months to get used to it. Add 10% to your mix. I gradually increased mine until I give them 50% of the mix. They will get used to it.
Are the eggs thin shells?
Have you tried adding wheat to your mix? I really don't know why, but wheat seems to do good for them.
I remember being told I should block off unused nest boxes so as to keep the pairs in their own boxes. I do not remember why I was told this, other than to keep them in their own nest boxes. Four hours of sleep just aint enough in a twenty-eight hour day!
Some people lock up unused boxes, i do not, if you have six pair and only six boxes open, there is too much too fight about, if you have six pair and 12 boxes, the fights seem less too me... They will settle down, and get to the Business at hand... Trust me. once they settle in there is NO stopping them...Dave
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