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Birds--General/seperating dove pairs and vitiams

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Expert: - 9/27/2006


Question
I have five white dove and one is sitting on two eggs,how can I tell which ones are a pair?Because 2 of them set on the eggs.And do they need vitiams being raised in cages?I'm feeding them Milo right now and they seem to like it.
Do just the males coo?because if this is so I can tell them apart that away

Answer
Hi, Debbie.  Thanks for posting!

The mom and dad of the 2 eggs you have can be easily identified because they share the responsibility of incubating the eggs.  The female sits on the eggs at night, the male during the day (they take 12 hour shifts each).

They shouldn't need vitamins as long as they are fed the proper food, get sufficient exercise, have proper lighting, etc.  You should be feeding your doves pigeon feed or at least wild bird food, not just milo.  They need a variety of grains in order to remain healthy, especially if they will soon be feeding babies (the babies will need the variety also in order to grow properly and be healthy).

Females coo also, not just the males.  Males usually drag their tails on the ground when they fan them as they are chasing after their female.  Females will fan their tails, also, but don't usually drag their tails on the ground.  

Come back with any additional questions.

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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