Pigeon Incubation

[Pidgeot]

Almost two weeks ago I found an egg at the base of a tree where the local wild pigeons tend to gather. I suspect it was blown out by the wind and I didn't have the heart to just leave it. I set up my incubator and now I just have to wait for it to hatch, fingers crossed! I haven't candled it yet as I'm used to bigger poultry eggs so it just seems too delicate to touch more than I have to. I still don't really know if it even survived the original drop... But anyway, if all goes well, I'm not sure what to expect and hopefully there are a few members here who could give me some tips and advice.

 

I've done some research and I assume I just have to feed it soft chick crumb and keep it warm. When it's slightly bigger, and before 5 weeks, I move it outside with a heatmat and into a proper loft where it can live and be semi-wild. I would like to ring it, and my brother keeps joking about teaching it to be a homing/racing pigeon.

 

Sooo.... Could anyone and everyone give me some advice, please? All ideas and suggestions are welcome!

 

I'd like to know whether they tend to have any trouble pipping, or whether I should just completely leave it alone. What age should I ring it, and what ring should I choose? And feeding, and anything else that might benefit the birdy.

 

Thanks in advance!

[bullcock]

Pigeons secreet corp mlk for the first 4 or 5 days which is vital for the chick to survive, feeding it chick crumb I don't think it will live sorry, but give it a go and good luck.

[Ian McKay]

If it hatches feed it SMA Gold baby milk made up to a thick paste at about 7 days you need to introduce small seeds (wheat.milo.dari) as it grows you can intoduce larger seeds (peas, beans,maize) you will get young bird mixture at most pigeon food shops. Unless you can find a local pigeon fancier who is willing to give you an old ring it might not be worth the bother, I doubt it will home to your shed think it will do what is natural as soon as it is able to fly

 

Good luck it will be interesting to see how you get on

 

Ian

[Pidgeot]

Oh dear. This suddenly sounds rather scary. Thank you for the baby mix advice, although after those estimations, I think I should probably go all out to give the pigeon the best chance of survival. I've just gone and ordered some kaytee exact formula and some sort of finch mix. Fingers crossed it arrives within the next few days!

 

Do you know how much and how often I should feed it? Assuming it hatches... Along with any techniques I may need to learn?