Birds--General/doves/pigeon

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Expert: - 10/28/2007


Question
hi,my two birds(male,female-I dont know) laid two eggs five days ago-one day apart.they do not sit on them.How do i know the eggs are fertile and when do they start sitting on them?Thank you

Answer
Hi, Janette,

I really need more details about these birds and the situation (housing, are these feral birds, doves or pigeons, etc).

They should have started incubating these eggs when the first one was laid, but no later than when the second was laid.  Since they haven't, something else is amiss in their environment and/or you could have 2 females (however, with 2 females, there should be more than 2 eggs).  The eggs may not be fertile.  You can try candling them, but if incubation hasn't begun, you won't be able to tell anything by candling.  Eggs have to be incubated 7-10 days before you can see any development inside by candling.  If they don't incubate these eggs, nothing will develop inside, and no babies will hatch.

Chrys

Birds--General

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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.

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