Questions from a newbie to Doves

[LePetitFarmGirlinAK]

I acquired 7 Ring Necked Turtle Doves about a month to two months ago, I love them and have been learning about them but I still have some questions!

1. I have seen my males courting the females and I have provided them with a large airy space with room for nesting, (they get the top parts of our 9x9x10 chicken coop for now, hopefully someday I can make them their own place) but no eggs yet? I read somewhere that the females will not allow the males to mate them until they are assured that the males will be good mates by how long they court the females. Has it been long enough?

2. My birds weren't too keen on being held when they were in small cages from the lady I got them from, but they would let you hold them and wouldn't try to fly away from you. Now that they can fly away from me, they don't let me touch them ever. How can I tame them again?

3. Could my problem with the doves not reproducing be because they are all brother/sister/father/mother? The two oldest are from one pair, so they are brother and sister, the rest (5) are all from those two. My females always fly away from my males like they are not interested.

I'm sure I'll think of more questions...

Laura

 

[LePetitFarmGirlinAK]

I have an egg!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I hadn't been out to the coop for a couple days because I am sick, so I went out tonight to check and my hubby lifted me up to the unfinished wall (about 8-9 ft up, where they sit, and is the most likely spot for eggs) and there was one there!!!!

I am SO excited!

New question now though, can I moved the egg after I figure out who the parents are and put them, and it cage? The spot where they laid the egg is unfortunatly next to the window that we keep cracked for humidity and right now it is -30 below zero outside. I don't think the egg is alive anymore because they are not sitting on it, but it may be ok....

 

[tiffanyh]

The egg doesn't start forming until sat on for a period. I am surprised no one was claiming it. My females always stay on the eggs (or the partnered male). So, if it is left alone, it may be that no one is going to sit on it. If it were me, I would put a container up there and place the egg in it and then watch to see who sits on it. Once you figure out who it is and she figures out to start sitting on it, then move it to where you prefer in the container.

 

[LePetitFarmGirlinAK]

Thanks TiffanyH, I'll have to try that.

I just got 3 more doves last night, one has almost curly feathers, does that mean it's the baby? I am pretty sure the lady said that there was two parents and the other was the offspring, so I am just trying to figure out which one to put out with my other doves and I want to keep this pair inside the house with me.

 

[LePetitFarmGirlinAK]

bump!