4 squabs in 1 nest - can it work?

[jak2002003]

In my small flock I have one female / female pair. Despite me trying many times to pair them up to males it never happened.. so I just left them to be happy together.

They always lay 4 eggs, brood them and then they never hatch and I throw them away after a couple weeks.. been like this over a year.

But today I find that all the eggs have hatched! Both females must have had a sneaky affair with a male from another nest.

Now I am worried that the 2 of them will have problems raising 4 squabs.

The parents are both big fat utility king pigeons. Very heavy and strong. Maybe they will be able to cope with 4 young because of their size and breed.. rather than a smaller kind like a racing pigeon. They will have food and water available 24 / 7 in their nesting box.

I thought I could foster 2 squabs to another pair.. but looking at other birds nestd none are at the right stage.. they either have new eggs or really big squabs nearly fledging.

Any advice?

 

[sourland]

They may be able to do it if they are vigorous pumpers. Just keep an eye to make sure that the squabs are getting fed evenly. There will be a lot of competition between the squabs and the weaker may need some assistance from you. Needless to say, next time I would remove one or two of the eggs.

 

[jak2002003]

They may be able to do it if they are vigorous pumpers. Just keep an eye to make sure that the squabs are getting fed evenly. There will be a lot of competition between the squabs and the weaker may need some assistance from you. Needless to say, next time I would remove one or two of the eggs.

I found one nest which only has one squab.. but I think its about one week old... much bigger than these newly hatched ones. Do you think I can put one in with that squab.. or would the bigger squab take all the food?

In the mean time I am keeping a close eye on them. I never bothered to remove the eggs as they never hatched before... but, yes, next time I will only allow them to sit on 2..

When they get bigger I can easily supplement their food for the smaller ones.. I have hand reared many pigeons before. Its just at this very early age I am worried. Keeping my fingers crossed.. I will get some photos soon.

 

[laughingdog]

They'll be fine.. breeds like that are bred to feed babies vigorously, as they are "squabers", bred so babies raise up fast and fst, for food purposes (at fledgling age).
My parlors, rollers, flights, all have regularly been given two extras and flights given three extra (all five get grossly obese).
I feed breeders layer pellets, especially in winter breeding, as fattens awsome, also growing stronger bones, as mine performance birds and haven't had broken bones most tell about from bops etc.
pride large sturdy dog bowl that babies all have room to compfy sprawl and that cannot knock each other out, drilling holes in bottom to vent heat n excessive wetnesses

 

[jak2002003]

They'll be fine.. breeds like that are bred to feed babies vigorously, as they are "squabers", bred so babies raise up fast and fst, for food purposes (at fledgling age).
My parlors, rollers, flights, all have regularly been given two extras and flights given three extra (all five get grossly obese).
I feed breeders layer pellets, especially in winter breeding, as fattens awsome, also growing stronger bones, as mine performance birds and haven't had broken bones most tell about from bops etc.
pride large sturdy dog bowl that babies all have room to compfy sprawl and that cannot knock each other out, drilling holes in bottom to vent heat n excessive wetnesses

OK.. Thanks.. I will give it a go and see what happens.

They have a huge nest which is a large wooden box with a wire mesh floor.. so they should not get too hot.. that was something I never thought about.

Its got tall sides so they can't fall out either.

Its good to know that the king pigeons are good at feeding their squabs. I think these babies will be smaller than normal as their father is a small feral pigeon that I rescued. That might be a good thing too as they won't need so much food.

Now I am excited to see how this works out. good to know you have had success with adding extra squabs to nests before.. gives me some hope.

 

[laughingdog]

I should have addressed that purely show versions of performance or dual pigeons, have horrible instincts as far as a lot, but especially raising squeakers ("squabs" only if raised to point before fledge for eating), as many show competitors don't want to lose condition etc, so foster eggs under feral or performance breeds.