First Squab!

[LamarshFish]

Don't blame you a bit. Should the egg shells be removed? I thought the parents would toss them after hatch... Such a great X-mas presents your birds gave you!

I'm not sure what to do, all that is left is a half shell. I honestly think the hen ate the other pieces--they were not on the floor and I caught her nibbling at them and eating pieces. Should I remove that last half shell? It's been in there for a few days now.

 

[Hokum Coco]

I just slid the pad right under the nest bowl

I think you may have jumped the gun with this early set up and it is overkill right now. I agree with your method and in 3+- weeks time your squabs should be on their own. Hope everything goes well for you and your new squabs. Homers as a rule are the best parents in the pigeon family with your early set up your giving your squabs every chance to develop.

 

[biophiliac]

I'm not sure what to do, all that is left is a half shell. I honestly think the hen ate the other pieces--they were not on the floor and I caught her nibbling at them and eating pieces. Should I remove that last half shell? It's been in there for a few days now.

I don't really know if it matters,especially since it's nice and dry (andcold) in you loft so unlikely to be a source of bacteria.. It's good calcium for the hen if she eats it

ps... I'm awaiting delivery of my first 6 birds, either today or tomorrow. Nervous and excited at the same time.

 

[LamarshFish]

I think you may have jumped the gun with this early set up and it is overkill right now. I agree with your method and in 3+- weeks time your squabs should be on their own. Hope everything goes well for you and your new squabs. Homers as a rule are the best parents in the pigeon family with your early set up your giving your squabs every chance to develop.

Thanks. I read tons of reviews on the pad and people were claiming it raises their coop temps 5-10 degrees, which shocked me, but I supposed with the right ventilation and placement, it can in the form of ambient heat. I know they can survive in the cold temps, I just figured with the chance to up the loft temp a bit and keep the nest bowl warm it could help. I don't think it will hurt, they don't seem to mind it at all.

I don't really know if it matters,especially since it's nice and dry (andcold) in you loft so unlikely to be a source of bacteria.. It's good calcium for the hen if she eats it

ps... I'm awaiting delivery of my first 6 birds, either today or tomorrow. Nervous and excited at the same time.

She also has a little handful of crushed oyster shells on the other side of the nest box....