You are here:

Birds--General/Hatching Dove eggs

Advertisement

Expert: - 3/16/2008


Question
How long can a dove egg be left unattended by the mother?  I am concerned about the temperature.  It is around 54 degrees outside.  
Thanks,  

Answer
Hi, Tabnola,

If an egg cools down too much after incubation has started, the egg will not develop and hatch.  In other words, for an embryo to properly develop, it has to be incubated at a steady temperature of about 102-105 degrees F 24 hours per day for 18 days.  The hen or cock (female or male) can get up off an egg for a few minutes to defecate, eat, or drink, but they need to get right back to that egg pronto (not let the egg cool down too much, which can happen in 5-10 minutes, depending on the temperature in their immediate environment).  Both he male and female share in the incubation duties....mom incubates during the night (12 hours) and dad incubates during the day (12 hours).  Some pigeons don't incubate steadily on an egg until the second egg is laid.  Then they will take turns incubating both eggs 24/7.  Not all pigeon parents follow the above precisely...in some cases, one bird may incubate all the time, both may incubate all the time, some split the eggs up and one incubates one egg and the other bird the other egg, etc., etc.

Chrys

Birds--General

All Answers

Answers by Expert:

Ask Experts

Volunteer

Chrys Meatyard

Expertise

I`ve been raising/breeding/handfeeding/selling parrots for over 20 years (parakeets/budgies, cockatiels, 6 subspecies of conures, parrotlets, amazons, lovebirds, etc.). I've been published in "Budgies" and "Cockatiels" offered by Bow Tie Productions, and have written avian articles for publication in England. I can provide advice in raising healthy birds, handfeeding/weaning babies, some health problems (although I'm NOT an avian veterinarian), nail/beak/wing clipping, general husbandry, etc. I also have experience with racing/showing homing pigeons. I cannot diagnose specific illness over this website. If you suspect your bird is ill or if you have an emergency, contact an avian veterinarian or emergency pet clinic ASAP.

Experience

Experience: Over 20 years raising parrots and over 13 years raising pigeons. Organizations: Currently, American Racing Pigeon Union and American Federation of Aviculture. Prior member Miami Valley Bird Club, Southern Ohio Pigeon Association, National Cockatiel Society, Miami Valley Sportsman's Club, others. Publications: Monthly newsletters of bird clubs.

Publications
I've been published in "Budgies" and "Cockatiels" offered by Bow Tie Productions, and have written avian articles for publication in England.

Education/Credentials
American Federation of Aviculture, completed Level I course, Fundamentals of Aviculture. Keeping/breeding parrots and other birds for over 20 years.

©2012 About.com, a part of The New York Times Company. All rights reserved.