HELP! Dove Laid Egg On Porch - What Do We Do!?

[Nifty-Chicken]

My wife got back from picking up our girls from pre-school and there was a dove sitting on our porch. They were watching it wondering why it was there and not flying away when all of a sudden... PLOP, it laid an egg right in front of them!?!?

So, what do we do? We know where their next is, should we pick up the egg with gloves and set it in the nest?

Should we try to incubate it?

 

[Chickerdoodle13]

Doves should only sit on two eggs at a time. They typically aren't able to feed more than that. I would take that one and toss it because one of the chicks will probably die in the long run.

There shouldn't be blood on the egg though. Are these pet doves? If so, I would definitely keep an eye on her.

I don't recommend hatching dove eggs in the incubator because they are very difficult to raise. They are not like chickens and need to be fed a special mixture of food. They are usually fed by their parents out of the crop and that can be difficult to replicate in a "man made" situation. It can be done, but it is extremely time consuming and you have to be incredibly dedicated. I have tried without success. It takes a lot of practice!

Good luck with the dove babies! They usually hatch in about 15 days. It's a lot of fun to watch them grow.

 

[Stormhorse23]

I would incubate it!

 

[Barnyard]

I would wonder why she laid it on the porch and not in her nest!! If It was me I would try to put it back, but then she may not take it and push it out of the nest!

Hard choice!

 

[lacyloo]

I would put it in the nest, wait 30 mins and if she dont go back to it, then...... incubate it

 

[SamG347]

You dont need to wear cloves to place eggs in nest. Birds have a very poor sense of smell so they will incubate the egg/brood the chick no matter if you touched it with gloves or not. I would place it back in the nest...or try to find a wildlife rehabilitator close by who incubates eggs.

 

[newnanchic]

Put it under a hen??? Would that work???

 

[S n M Poultry]

Quote:
Shes giving you the egg for letting her have her nest in you tree

 

[theOEGBman]

Rob,

Remember that if you do try to incubate it, you will have to handfeed it, which can be a hassle. I'd say try to put it in the nest, but if she tosses it, she tosses it. Not all eggs are meant to live.

 

[bantymum]

Hi Rob,
This is the pigeon dove site which i have joined, they are really helpful with wild and pet pigeons/doves.
They will give you speeedy advice.

http://www.pigeons.biz/forums/index.php