Expert: Roger Lederer - 5/16/2010

Question
QUESTION: ok so i found a nest in my back yard i am 12 and i want to know how to hatch it and the food plan .i am not going to keep it as a pet but i want to know this stuff if the mother doesnt come back. please reply ASAP.

ANSWER: It is way too difficult to hatch a baby dove and raise it. Besides, if the mother is gone for sure, then the egg is probably no good and it would be futile to try to raise it. Abandoned babies might have a chance with human help but abandoned eggs are almost always bad. But if you want to know this stuff, go to www.ornithology.com/rehab.html for links to advice.

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QUESTION: ok so i candled the eggs and they are both fertile so how do i incubate them whith a bandana a small card box and a Mre (meal ready to eat)heater

Answer
I don't know how you can tell if the eggs are any good by candling them. They might have developed a bit, but if they were abandoned, they are almost certainly no good. You need to keep the temperature and humidity consistent, to start, so an MRE heater will not work.
I have to tell you again that it is VERY difficult to hatch and raise baby birds, but if you insist on trying, go to www.ornithology.com/rehab.html for links to advice.