How long for eggs to appear after nest building

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Lobzi

Lobzi

Crowing
14 Years
May 6, 2008
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San Francisco Bay Area, EB
I have a young pair who will brood their first young this spring, I hope. They have been together about 3 weeks now and mated at first, groomed each other and all the normal pre-laying activities one might expect. They built a nice nest and both spend time on it. Im wondering how long it might take for them to actually lay their egg. I am new to doves having raised chickens for years. Im looking forward to watch them rear their young but it is looking like each one is waiting for the other to lay the egg!!! Is it possible that they are both males or would they not be getting along.
 
Generally in my experience the hen will lay the first eggs about 10 days after they mate, build a nest and the male starts driving her. Driving is when the cock pecks at the hen and forces her to the nest site. It is not uncommon for two males to pair up especially in the absence of other potential mates.
 
Well maybe Ill have two males then. Ill wait bit longer to see if any egg appears. Do females and males make the same sounds? My male is the only one doing bowing but they both make the same common noise that accompanies the bowing.
 
I've had it take anywhere from several months to several days. It all depends on the pair. I've noticed that it seems like the pair actually stops being interested in mating and courting and then the eggs suddenly appear.
 
Thanks for that comment. It gives me hope. I still would like to know about the call that is typical and sometimes accompanies bowing. Do females make the same sound. I have not noticed any bowing from "her" but they both make the same call, sometimes in unison.
 
Lobzi said:
Thanks for that comment. It gives me hope. I still would like to know about the call that is typical and sometimes accompanies bowing. Do females make the same sound. I have not noticed any bowing from "her" but they both make the same call, sometimes in unison.
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Usually females are higher pitched and they don't do it as often. Males are usually bigger, louder and have shinier necks.
 
Your pair is probably just taking their time.
smile.png
 
I was sort of figuring that the female might be young and she is new to the environment. She might be testing the nest for security and her new mate for his parenting ability. He did a great job on the nest and he is good to take turns with her sitting on the empty nest. I dont know much about dove but that seem logical. I bet if I had brought the male into the environment where the female had lived for months and was comfortable things might be moving along a little faster regarding the brooding of eggs.

I wonder what would happen if I put a quail egg in the nest? They are about the same size.

Im not gonna do it though because I dont want to take the chance that I might freak them out with a strange bird egg in their nest.
 

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