Pigeon pair decided to be sneaky: HOLY COW I HAVE BABIES NOW! what do I do?

[Alicia G]

My pair of pigeons went and had babies on me, the moms a German old and the Dads a frillback. I've just been feeding these guys corn and layer crumble like layer crumb like the guy I got them from said... but what now? The parents favor the corn more dunno why, but can the babies be fed that stuff? Both parents are very healthy and happy.
Any advice would be awesome!
Thanks!

 

[Hokum Coco]

I just had a pair of pigeons lay an egg a few days ago. You probably think I am cruel hearted by not suppling heat. The reason I would not supply heat out to the barn is. The heat would cause my adult birds to become dependent on it. Then if and when the power should go out for what ever reason the adult birds natural defenses against cold would be weakened and I may loose the whole flock. I would rather sacrifice a young squab then to put my whole flock in jeapordy. I did however put a tray of styrofoam from a discarded meat package under the pigeons nesting material to give the hopefull squabs a fighting chance I will keep you posted Alicia G let you know how they make out. I personally think they will be just fine if the squabs have good parents. Just to remind you I live in Canada and I assure you if you spent on year in my province you would have a new respect for winter. US do not know what winter is really all about.The eggs should hatch December 28th in a perfect world. Oh yes and my loft is uninsulated. Corn is what I supply extra to the pigeons in winter months however during the summer I just feed layer pellets with peanuts for a treat!

 

[Alicia G]

Ok so the corn is ok for the parents to feed the squab? They are in an uninulated barn, but it is well built so no drafts or what not.

 

[Hokum Coco]

Oops! Just noticed you are a Bluenoser. I think you have had a good taste of winter over the years! I live in New Brunswick. In the winter months I mix in a little rabbit pellets and maybe some wild bird seed just for variety. Through the spring & summer months it is just mainly layer pellets (I do not race my birds competitively like some fanciers who treat their birds like athletes)..

 

[laughingdog]

remember to add gravel and grit, if they are not eating a lot of pellets. so then they can grind up enough small and produce enough crop milk (actually a cheese curd like substance), for the new young.

 

[Hokum Coco]

My pigeon egg hatched on Dec 26 or 27. The other one has pipped and should hatch Dec 27 or 28. Things look good so far. Will provide pictures tomorrow if I can get my camera to work in cold Canada.

 

[Alicia G]

I finally got some pics of the new arrival! I would have got them sooner but my frillback is just nasty! Only when I'm near the baby though. My brother has named him Rufus

Momma is an Old German Owl



I had to hold Poppa because he is a bit saucy

 

[Hokum Coco]

Well according to my inside outside thermometer
the mercury plunged down to -10.8C = 12.6F .
The squabs Jack & Frostie survived with no problems.
The youngest is now 1 day old!

 

[larrylofts]

AT THIS AGE THE PARENTS CAN COVER THEM WELL ENOUGH TO KEEP THEM WARM .IT WILL BECOME A PROBLEM WHEN THEY GET BIGGER AND HAVE NOT FEARTHERED OUT WHEN THEY HAVE PIN FEATHERS IS THE BIGGEST PROBLEM. I WOULD BRING IN THE HOUSE YOUNG AT THIS AGE AT DARK AND TAKE THEM OUT FIRST THING IN THE MORNING. WATCH THE PARENTS TILL THEY GET BACK ONTHE YOUNG. STILL HAVE LOST SOME IN EXTREME COOLD HERE IN TEXAS .IT CHANGES SO FAST THAT WE TRY NOT TO START RAISEING TILL FEBUARY

 

[laughingdog]

the foster parlor tumblers of mine are doing great it seems, though the parents all stopped feeding for a day after had to putz and switch systems around ect, but now crops are so full on most that the are big as and bigger than rest of birds at times and look ready to pop a leak ect.. lol should i stop parents from feedinjg till the crop is so stretched out? never had this trouble before. on other hand one is so fat now it can no longer roll over and over all over nest or get stuck on its back as when it first hatched before was about a week old (hilarious to watch it get excited though!).