Pigeon Bulletin Board?

[CCUK]

I lost one squab hatchling to humidity. I had been only providing baths once a week on average to my nesting pairs. One squab was lost due to the fact he was unable to emerge from the shell and membrane of the eggs. It is possible humidity may have been the cause (not 100% certain.) It was able to pip the shell but that is far as it got even with some assistance from your truly.

Sorry you lost the squab. Sometimes laying hens produce eggs that are too hard for chicks to hatch from. Sometimes it can be from too much calcium prior to egg laying and sometimes it can be a genetic issue. People love hard egg shells but if it is genetic then it is not good for hatching eggs and it is recommended that the chicken isn't used for hatching eggs because if high mortality rates. I'm not sure that this can also be the case with pigeons but the same as we add water to an incubator a bird will normally create adequate humidity for the chick to hatch.

 

[Hokum Coco]

Sometimes laying hens produce eggs that are too hard for chicks to hatch from.

Makes perfect sense. Humidity may have not been the leading factor. Plus I must confess this is an isolated case and the other squab did survive with my assistance. Plus my other pairs have not had this issue.

 

[Qwerty3159]

I had a similar issue. As of this time yesterday one had hatched completely and the other had poked through and was beginning to do so but as of today it was still in the egg. I got worried and just as I went out to assist it hatched. Perhaps the mother had been ingesting too much calcium, or maybe this squab was just a "slow and steady" type.

 

[backyard pigeons]

Sorry @Hokum Coco . It's never easy to lose one you have been counting on. How many birds are you up to now? Counting squabs. Have you reached 50?

 

[backyard pigeons]

I had a similar issue. As of this time yesterday one had hatched completely and the other had poked through and was beginning to do so but as of today it was still in the egg. I got worried and just as I went out to assist it hatched. Perhaps the mother had been ingesting too much calcium, or maybe this squab was just a "slow and steady" type.

So has it hatched yet?

 

[Qwerty3159]

So has it hatched yet?

Yes, thankfully it managed to do so by itself before I had to intervene.

 

[Hokum Coco]

Have you reached 50?

I am up to 44 pigeons squeakers and squabs. One failed to come home yesterday from about a 10 mile toss. I was training 11 birds. It may show up yet but I am loosing hope. On the up side I have three pair with eggs. I am trying to refrain from flying my breeders. I also have been flying them hungry on every release in order to get them to trap and cut down on any losses.
Good news 50 is in sight.
Bad news.
Never been able to retain it for any substantial length of time.

 

[backyard pigeons]

I am up to 44 pigeons squeakers and squabs. One failed to come home yesterday from about a 10 mile toss. I was training 11 birds. It may show up yet but I am loosing hope. On the up side I have three pair with eggs. I am trying to refrain from flying my breeders. I also have been flying them hungry on every release in order to get them to trap and cut down on any losses.
Good news 50 is in sight.
Bad news.
Never been able to retain it for any substantial length of time.

You will get there some day. I wouldn't recommend flying the breeders since you are so very close to your goal, but they are your birds! How many mated pairs do you have?

 

[Hokum Coco]

How many mated pairs do you have?

At least 6. Then I have some of this years birds who are starting to court. Plus I know I have at least one lesbian parring.

 

[biophiliac]

Pigeon watching improved by mute button as the profanity laced background track adds nothing imo.