Diamond doves chose questionable nest

[Happy Novogens]

I have diamond doves (2 hens, 1 male) sitting on a pair of eggs. They are in a community cage with other birds too. Unfortunately, they've chosen a clear feeder dish in the front of the cage as their nest (despite that there's a larger available nest elsewhere in the cage).

Anyway, my concern is that the "nest" will be too small once the babies are hatched (assuming they hatch).

I just don't know if there is anything I can do (or should do) about it. Unless someone has some better suggestions, I'll leave them be.

Oh, the "feeder" dish is usually used just for some grit.

 

[sylviethecochin]

Picture?

I don't have any experience with doves (have had pigeons in the past) so this advice may be questionable. Our barn pigeons had a couple squabs fall out of the nest. So my brother and I moved the nest, nailed down a board with guardrails, and put the nest back on the board. No more problems. These were wild pigeons, and they weren't too bothered by our interference. IME, once they have babies, birds are highly unlikely to abandon them, even if their nest does change slightly.

So maybe wait until they hatch, and then replace the nest with a larger one, in the same spot?

 

[Happy Novogens]

Thanks for the input. It makes sense to wait until they are hatched before (or if) doing any changes.

What are you asking about picture? Did the one I attached not show?

 

[sylviethecochin]

Thanks for the input. It makes sense to wait until they are hatched before (or if) doing any changes.

What are you asking about picture? Did the one I attached not show?

It loaded when I reloaded. My internet connection's a bit slow. Sorry.

 

[jak2002003]

Hi. I keep and breed many bird species, including diamond doves.

That nest in the feeder is not too small. You won't have to change it. In fact, its ideal as its very sturdy and strong, so the babies won't get accidently bounced out of the nest if other birds land on it to play.

I can't tell by your photo if there is any nesting material in there though. It will need some otherwise the eggs will roll about and might get chilled, and also the chicks will get dirty or perhaps splayed legs on a smooth non absorbent surface like plastic.

If there is no nesting material in there you can very quickly take out the eggs (be very careful as they are so fragile) and put in a layer of dry earth (with will suck up any bird poops) or add some sand or finely chopped up and pressed down bird nesting material / short lengths of dry grass).

Its not ideal to breed them in a community bird cage. Often the other birds will mess about and disturb the doves nest, or injure the baby doves.

If you don't want to breed them you can switch the eggs with fake ones or small white balls / stones and the doves will happily brood them until they get bored.

Good luck and... cute doves you have!!

 

[Happy Novogens]

Thanks, jak.

Good idea with the sand/dirt. I've tried putting some bits of timothy hay in there and also have loose hay on the cage floor if they want to use it.

...oh, perfect.... just as I was typing, the dove hopped out of the nest and gave me a chance to add some sand. I was able to see that there was still some hay bits as well. I was wondering how I was going to get to the nest without upsetting her.

I'm thinking I'll see how they do for now. If they hatch and if I see the other birds bothering them, I'll move them to another cage.