kopetsa
253 posts
Feb 12, 2008
1:13 PM
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Hey I was just wondering, If I have a pair that has been laying on eggs for about 8-10 days, can I take another pairs that are about 16-18 days old and switch them. Can I put the older eggs under the pair and will they be able to raise the babies?
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washington86
271 posts
Feb 12, 2008
1:19 PM
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I did this one time and It didn't go too well. The thing is that the birds know what day the babies are suppose to hatch. About 1 week before the eggs hatch, the parent develope milk in their food sac that will be ready to feed the young when they come out. Eggs that are suppose to hatch sooner aren't too great with a pair's eggs that suppose to hatch later. The thing is that the pair will feed the youngs. They will begin feeding the youngs with regular seeds, big or small. The newly hatched baby cannot digest seeds on their own yet until they are about a week old.
I think if you feed your birds with 16% or whatsoever, then it's fine since the seed and greets are already MASH.
Last Edited by on Feb 12, 2008 1:22 PM
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Santandercol
1982 posts
Feb 12, 2008
1:51 PM
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Good post Washer.
Yeah,your 2nd pair don't have enough time to work up the milk.My theory,which is mine,is that when the squeaker begins to move inside the egg and make vibrations,the parents feel those movements and begin to produce the milk.They'd need 4 or 5 days before hatching to do that.
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Kel.
Rum-30 Lofts
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JM420LOFT
44 posts
Feb 12, 2008
7:00 PM
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WASHINTON86 RIGH ON THE MONEY. I had racing homer for 10 yrs.
Last Edited by on Feb 12, 2008 7:06 PM
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Mount Airy Lofts
485 posts
Feb 13, 2008
5:10 AM
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Not worth the trouble. I foster a lot since only breeding out of 4 quality pairs. Key is timing. Making sure each foster set is a day to two at most after the quality pair's. I will not hesitate tossing out eggs from my fosters - a good foster will lay again in 8 days. I like them being on the same day if I can otherwise, they better be a day or two after. Some fosters are pickier than others. Select only the best of parents and the youngest of birds as fosters. The younger, the faster they will lay. They also will provide the richest milk.
A good foster pair is worth it's feed. I have 3 foster pairs that will sit on any duds I put under them. I find these foster birds are the best to keep over any other.
Thor
P.S. Remember that pigeons only produce milk for a short period.
If it is not the cream of the crop (high percentage performance producer), no need to foster out there eggs. Remember, once they hit the stock loft, they most be good pigeons before any thing else. Not letting them build their own nest, raise their youngsters, etc. will deplete this natural ability. Done long enough, your birds will lose it completely. There have been studies done by some scientists to have proven that even certain natural abilities, once lost will stay lost for future generations. Even I will let my breeders raise one out of every 2 rounds just to keep them sharp - in the parents department.
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It's all about the friends we make :)
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kopetsa
255 posts
Feb 13, 2008
3:55 PM
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Thanks for all that Thor!
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PR_rollers
514 posts
Feb 13, 2008
6:32 PM
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Good Post Washington and Thor..
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Ralph....
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