Pigeon Talk

[WVduckchick]

Call me a romantic. My Valentine's day gift to them. I know that anthropomorphising sp is all wrong, but to me established pairs showed true emotion and joy at being reunited. Reintroduction made for a several day lovefest.

You big softie

 

[sourland]

You big softie

Let's not let that get around. I don't want to ruin my image.

 

[backyard pigeons]

Ok so around feb or march i should pair them together? And does it matter that i dont have the loft space to seperate pairs in the winter? Will it affect spring breeding in any way?

 

[WVduckchick]

Let's not let that get around. I don't want to ruin my image.

My lips are sealed.

 

[WVduckchick]

Ok so around feb or march i should pair them together? And does it matter that i dont have the loft space to seperate pairs in the winter? Will it affect spring breeding in any way?

Sounds like the “absence makes the heart grow fonder” routine may not be as strong, but if you don’t have the room, not a whole lot more you can do.

 

[sourland]

In my case if I did not separate the birds they would breed year round. I had two breeding lofts and 3 flying lofts so I had the luxury of space. With early pairing eggs would be laid when it was still too cold. I had a series of padded shot glasses set up in our bedroom. Pigeons generally lay in the late afternoon/early evening. Daily I would collect eggs, place them in shot glasses with parent identification and place wooden nest eggs in the nests. Two days later when the second egg was laid I would reintroduce eggs to the nest. Although pigeons hover over the first egg sometimes it becomes overly chilled and non viable. Once I started removing eggs I increased the number of 2 squab nests. Princess was not thrilled over the 'nursery'.

 

[WVduckchick]

In my case if I did not separate the birds they would breed year round. I had two breeding lofts and 3 flying lofts so I had the luxury of space. With early pairing eggs would be laid when it was still too cold. I had a series of padded shot glasses set up in our bedroom. Pigeons generally lay in the late afternoon/early evening. Daily I would collect eggs, place them in shot glasses with parent identification and place wooden nest eggs in the nests. Two days later when the second egg was laid I would reintroduce eggs to the nest. Although pigeons hover over the first egg sometimes it becomes overly chilled and non viable. Once I started removing eggs I increased the number of 2 squab nests. Princess was not thrilled over the 'nursery'.

I elect Princess for Sainthood.

I wondered if that hovering was intended to keep it warm but not too hot. Ducks do that, where chickens just seem to scoot eggs around.

 

[sourland]

I elect Princess for Sainthood.

I wondered if that hovering was intended to keep it warm but not too hot. Ducks do that, where chickens just seem to scoot eggs around.

Combination saint and private demon would be closer.

I think the hovering is to protect, yet not start incubation totally. First egg generally hatches a bit before the second giving that squab a head start. If it hatches significantly sooner it can hog parents' attention resulting in a stunted nest mate.

 

[backyard pigeons]

@CCUK when did you change your name? I like it alot! @WVduckchick are both parents sitting on those eggs?

 

[WVduckchick]

@CCUK when did you change your name? I like it alot! @WVduckchick are both parents sitting on those eggs?

Yep! I see the female on the nest more than the male, but he may sit all day while I’m gone. He sleeps very close by too.

Is your little non-flyer still doing well? Flight restored and all?