Pigeons and eggs.

[Guest Mod_Man]

Hello. I have a pigeon couple on my veranda, they have made a nest and laid two eggs. At first I tried to get rid of the pigeons but after seeing the eggs I've decided to let them stay rent free.

 

I would like to know a few things about the eggs. They were laid about a week ago, how long before I should expect them to hatch?

 

Do I need to do anything other than keep out of the way?

 

What should I do when the eggs hatch?

 

If the eggs don't hatch, how nice are pigeon egg sandwiches?

[Jason84]

If the eggs don't hatch, how nice are pigeon egg sandwiches?

 

If you leave it too long, I imagine they could be decidedly meaty. You might want to find out sooner rather than later.

 

Not that I'm suggesting the abortion of pigeons. Honest.

[Heyesey]

Incubation is 17-19 days, and it'll be between three and four weeks before the chicks fledge.

 

You don't need to do anything; if the pigeons were happy enough to build their nest there, they'll be happy to raise their chicks. Deliberately banging on the window and scaring them probably isn't helping

 

Re the pigeon-egg sandwiches: it is of course an offence to take, or even to possess, "most" wild birds' eggs. Feral pigeons might be an exception since they're classed as vermin in most places. I suspect you were joking, but the point could do with being made anyway in case someone else gets ideas.

[Tony]

If you look after the eggs, leave some corn out for the parents, some fresh water and get your timings right you will have four lovely plump breasted pigeons for tea rather than two.

[pinklady]

pigeon pie all round

 

seriously ..... I bet its lovely to watch wild birds hatch and grow

[Don_Kiddick]

It is until some neighbours pet cat (nature's Chav) comes & destroys them - for fun.

[Guest Mod_Man]

Incubation is 17-19 days, and it'll be between three and four weeks before the chicks fledge.

 

You don't need to do anything; if the pigeons were happy enough to build their nest there, they'll be happy to raise their chicks. Deliberately banging on the window and scaring them probably isn't helping

 

Re the pigeon-egg sandwiches: it is of course an offence to take, or even to possess, "most" wild birds' eggs. Feral pigeons might be an exception since they're classed as vermin in most places. I suspect you were joking, but the point could do with being made anyway in case someone else gets ideas.

 

Thanks Heyesey, I guess I only have a week or so before something happens. I won't be banging on the window (actually that bit was spooky, do you know me?), I will just be keeping an eye on them and providing them with extra bits of grub.

 

I will take some photos of any interesting goings on if indeed anything interesting does go on.

 

 

Edited to add: I also won't be eating the eggs, eggs go straight through me at the best of times.

[Guest Mod_Man]

Duplication.

[Heyesey]

Edited to add: I also won't be eating the eggs, eggs go straight through me at the best of times.

 

Well, given the amount of garbage and three-day-old McDonalds meals that seems to constitute a pigeon's major dietary intake, these eggs would have a big advantage; they'd go through even faster.

 

I loathe and detest the feral pigeon, but even so, watching a brood of chicks will be highly enjoyable. It's just a shame it couldn't be chicks of some species we actually want to see breeding...

[Jason84]

It is until some neighbours pet cat (nature's Chav) comes & destroys them - for fun.

 

I would've thought the pigeon in question has more chav-like tendencies. In someone's home uninvited, breeding quickly and living off handouts. Who knows, they might even be immigrant pigeons.