Need help with the two abandoned mourning dove eggs (about to hatch!)

[hatopoppo]

Hi, everyone!

My name is Yoko. This is my first post here, and I'm in need of help!

Since last May, I've had 5 families of mourning dove families nesting and raising their babies in my rose pot on my veranda. It has been such a wonderful and special experience for me.

This year, the birds are back little early, and have already given birth to two eggs, the first one about 12-13 days old (and so ready to pop!), and the second, a day or two younger. All was going well till yesterday afternoon, when my new downstair neighbor moved in with a loud barking dog out in the porch. While I was out for a few days, the birds must have been scared off, and unfortunately have not returned since. This is very unusual for them to leave the eggs unattended, especially the first one is so near to hatch.

Now, about 9 am, the mama (and papa) have yet to return. I do not even hear or feel the presence near by. I have developed such close relation to the birds now, after 5 families of doves (with total 10 baby birds!). I know that the eggs are ok so far, as they have been out only over night without the mama (and papa) incubating, but I must act immediately to save them.

I gather it is not an easy task to incubate and hatch the eggs, and raise the little baby doves, but the eggs are so near and ready to pop out of the shell... I have to do all I can to save them.

Any advice will be much appreciated on this.

Thank you! Yoko

.

 

[nchls school]

Hi, everyone!

My name is Yoko. This is my first post here, and I'm in need of help!

Since last May, I've had 5 families of mourning dove families nesting and raising their babies in my rose pot on my veranda. It has been such a wonderful and special experience for me.

This year, the birds are back little early, and have already given birth to two eggs, the first one about 12-13 days old (and so ready to pop!), and the second, a day or two younger. All was going well till yesterday afternoon, when my new downstair neighbor moved in with a loud barking dog out in the porch. While I was out for a few days, the birds must have been scared off, and unfortunately have not returned since. This is very unusual for them to leave the eggs unattended, especially the first one is so near to hatch.

Now, about 9 am, the mama (and papa) have yet to return. I do not even hear or feel the presence near by. I have developed such close relation to the birds now, after 5 families of doves (with total 10 baby birds!). I know that the eggs are ok so far, as they have been out only over night without the mama (and papa) incubating, but I must act immediately to save them.

I gather it is not an easy task to incubate and hatch the eggs, and raise the little baby doves, but the eggs are so near and ready to pop out of the shell... I have to do all I can to save them.

Any advice will be much appreciated on this.

Thank you! Yoko

.

If the eggs have not been incubated overnight the chick inside has, most likely, died. If the eggs were to hatch the chicks are extremely hard to hand feed because of their tiny size. The eggs can be hatched under pigeons, but pigeons are too large to feed morning dove chicks. Ring neck doves can foster eggs and chicks from mourning doves. Using an incubator, treat the eggs like chicken eggs-same temperature and humidity.

Sorry, I think you are in for disappointment with this. Should you try against all odds-Good luck.

 

[hatopoppo]

Thank you again! I let it be, whatever should happen, it is meant to be for the best. They might still come back... miracle happens yoko

 

[KIKAC]

Thank you again! I let it be, whatever should happen, it is meant to be for the best. They might still come back... miracle happens yoko

Hello, this just happened to me. My morning dove laud her eggs a week ago on my window sill. I've closed the curtain and been very respectful....but I haven't seen any parent for a few hours!!
This is the first time this happens...did I do something wrong? Help please.

 

[nchls school]

Hello, this just happened to me. My morning dove laud her eggs a week ago on my window sill. I've closed the curtain and been very respectful....but I haven't seen any parent for a few hours!!
This is the first time this happens...did I do something wrong? Help please.

Likely, you did nothing wrong. Most likely, the dove fell victim to a predator--Sorry.

 

[nchls school]

Mourning dove eggs hatch in 14-16 days. It is also possible these eggs were not good and the parent's internal time clock told them this, so they abandoned the nest and will soon start over. If the parents have not returned, remove the nest and eggs. Doves will sometime reuse a spot that they are comfortable with. We had a pair nest repeatedly in our rain gutter for an entire season raising many squabs/babies.

 

[KIKAC]

Likely, you did nothing wrong. Most likely, the dove fell victim to a predator--Sorry.

Thank you so much for your reply!!

 

[KIKAC]

Mourning dove eggs hatch in 14-16 days. It is also possible these eggs were not good and the parent's internal time clock told them this, so they abandoned the nest and will soon start over. If the parents have not returned, remove the nest and eggs. Doves will sometime reuse a spot that they are comfortable with. We had a pair nest repeatedly in our rain gutter for an entire season raising many squabs/babies.

Thanks for your reply. In the end I think it was a predator, because the day after the parents abandoned the nest, the eggs disappeared, one by one! sad, but it's nature, I guess...