Pigeon Mating? Pigeon Behavior? How long until Eggs?

[CascadiaRiver]

1. I have a pair of Birmingham Rollers, positive its a male and female at this point.

2. They've been sitting in a nest I made them (Its in a dish, with a bunch of nesting materials) and they've made it their own.

3. Haven't seen them mate/breed as of yet, though someone else maybe have saw them kissing while they passed through one day.

4. They cuddle



I believe I saw him "clapping" which I read somewhere that that can be a sign of him either getting ready to mate or after mating though I haven't seen or heard enough commotion to assume they were mating yet.

How long does it usually take for pigeons to begin mating? How often will they mate before stopping and becoming ready to lay? Will they mate until the day she lays? Should I expect an egg soon?

I don't know how old they are, though they've been together for over a month and have been what I would call "flirting" especially the boy who lays so flat he becomes a pancake and does a little sound that is like a LOUD hum? Not exactly a grunt but like a loud hum for 20 seconds then usually makes little happy sounds and snuggles her, does that mean anything?

 

[br0nc0]

Well, for what you've said it *shouldn't* be long now, although you can never truly know. I almost never see my pigeons mate, all that's important that the place isn't tooo crowded (yours probably isn't since you only have one pair) and that they have enough space (especially vertically, since the cock will need to flap his wings).

Usually I set the nests and put some hay in it, but this year I tried a different technique and it worked really well for me. I set empty nests and put nesting material (rough hay) on the ground in a larger shallow box. That way they hat to "make" the nest. This keeps them busy, promotes mating behaviour and it made it really easy for me to tell when to expect eggs, because the would start laying about a week after the nest was done.

 

[Hokum Coco]

1. I have a pair of Birmingham Rollers, positive its a male and female at this point (In the odd case a same sex couple can fool even an expert. If you get no eggs or 4 eggs you know you been fooled).

2. They've been sitting in a nest I made them (Its in a dish, with a bunch of nesting materials) and they've made it their own. Good sign if the bowl is slick it is a good idea to put some screen or cloth at the bottom this combats a condition known as Splayed Leg (not that common actually). Would not worry until eggs hatch it is more common especially if one squab only survives.

3. Haven't seen them mate/breed as of yet, Expect eggs 10 days after "FIRST"copulation. Second egg 24 hours after first egg; Hatch 19-23 days,

4. They cuddle Good sign

How long does it usually take for pigeons to begin mating? Too many factors such as age of hen length of day light hours etc. How often will they mate before stopping and becoming ready to lay? Your guess is as good as mine. Will they mate until the day she lays? Yes. Should I expect an egg soon?, Expect eggs 10 days after copulation

I don't know how old they are, though they've been together for over a month and have been what I would call "flirting" especially the boy who lays so flat he becomes a pancake and does a little sound that is like a LOUD hum? Not exactly a grunt but like a loud hum for 20 seconds then usually makes little happy sounds and snuggles her, does that mean anything? He is calling her to his nest trying to persuade her to begin incubation and start a family

JUST A HEADS UP DO NOT PANIC Handle your squabs every day if possible. Be on the look out for Splayed Leg.

One condition some pigeons are born with is called Splayed Leg the quicker the condition is seen to the better chance of a positive result. All pigeon fanciers are aware of this condition happens once or twice in your loft most times NEVER.

It seems to affect the cartilage or connecting tissue in one hip especially. Binding one leg to the other (as shown in the video) allows the cartilage to contract and in most cases elevate the problem.

I personally solved the deformity with 2 small zip ties around each ankle of the squab and a small elastic band connecting both ties.

"I have left the elastic band on in one case into adulthood".

I had this condition happen to me twice with positive results in treatment with my pigeon flock.

Slippery nest bowls or areas that have little
traction is thought to contribute to this deformity.

Some fanciers when this condition is apparent assume it is a genetic condition and separate the pair and choose different partners for them.

Times when the condition can not be corrected the squab is usually culled.

"Leave the elastic on for week(s) before you remove it."

Check out the links:

 

[CascadiaRiver]

The bowl isn't slick, theres a lot of bedding in there We've seen a lot of splay leg in chicks in the past years of hatching chickens but that would make sense that a single pigeon squab would also have that trouble, though I'm not super worried about the chicks until I see an egg xD

 

[Hokum Coco]

The bowl isn't slick, theres a lot of bedding in there I do not think it will be a problem I just wanted to make sure you were aware We've seen a lot of splay leg in chicks in the past years of hatching chickens (the elastic method I described also works on chicks) but that would make sense that a single pigeon squab would also have that trouble, though I'm not super worried about the chicks until I see an egg xD

 

[CascadiaRiver]

On chicks we use a piece of coban wrap so its a little softer? I might try it on pigeons if I do wind up with eggs and a squab with splay leg <3

 

[CascadiaRiver]

They laid their first egg sometimes between last night and this morning and I am overly excited! I was just thinking though, my hen is an almond but had white over most of her body except her neck (she has what I call a necklace of almond) and I was wondering if thats a white marking or just her almond?