Pigeon Eggs

Hi

Seems like you have more than one perpetrator here.

A pair will normally have two eggs in a clutch, and incubate them for around 17 - 20 days. Assuming they hatch, it would then be about five weeks for the young to fledge. Rarely, one hen may lay three eggs.

I think four eggs even over three weeks or so would be superpigeon. So, you may have

* two hens who have buddied up and are producing infertile eggs
* a male who has acquired two hens
* an opportunist who saw a ready made 'nest' to drop her eggs in

What comings and goings have you seen over the past weeks? Normally there would be one or other of a pair sitting on the eggs at all times, so if you are able to look out without being noticed, you should see a bird in the planter at some stage, or see one taking flight if you are spotted. If you see no sign at all, particularly near or after dark, and the eggs are cold, they have probably been abandoned.

John

Hi Mauricio

First, it's good of you to let 'em stay to bring up their young

What can happen at a later stage, when the young are growing well, is another set of eggs in the planter or nearby. No reason why you can't just remove them soon as they are laid or pretty shortly after. Then, when the young have flown, reclaim your planter - which will have plenty of nitrogen content by then, probably.

The male pigeon would normally sit on the eggs (and the very young chicks) from mid-morning to a couple hours before dusk, with maybe a 'lunch break', while the hen sits the rest of the time. Once the babies are maybe 10 days or so (varies), they'll be left alone for periods quite possibly, as they will be able to maintain their own body heat without being covered.

With the arrangement your 'squatters' have, though, it may get a bit confused.

Do keep us updated, and let us know if there seem to be any problems in this situation.

John