Thanks guys, you're most helpful.
Today, I removed the first egg from my doves, felt horrible about doing it, but I guess it's something you gotta do.

This might be a stupid question but how do the eggs get fertile?

Durgy

Doves are just like humans. The female has the eggs and the male fertilizes them. If you watch your birds, you may be lucky enough to see the male sitting on her back flapping it's wings like crazy. That's the start. It usually follows a routine where he puts his beak in her beak. Kind of like kissing.

This doesn't mean the eggs will be fertile but that's the process.

Yes, and before anyone asks....just because a bird lays an egg, doesn't mean its fertile. They lay eggs all the time, its just part of the natural, healthy way. Think about it, all the chicken eggs we consume, and none of those are fertile (although I have had a couple that when cracked open there was something in there - not living of course), so , I just thought I would throw that in befor it was the next question.

How do you know if its fertile, right? Watch the egg. If it turns a solid looking color after about a week - 2 weeks, its most likely fertile. If it stays clearish looking, then most likely not. If after 21 days or so, nothing happens, then watch out when you throw the egg away, because when it crack open...WOW, what a nasty smell!

*haha*

You can also hold the egg up to a light or candle (it's called candelling)and if you see a form inside, it's most likely fertile. Otherwise it will be clear. This takes a little practice to understand what you are seeing and you only want to keep the egg out of the nest for a very short time.

Dave is right about the birds doing a routine where Mr.Bird puts his beak in Mrs. Bird's beak. It truly looks sweet, but if you watch closely you will discover it is not quite as romantic as human kissing.

To woo his honey, Mr. Bird does the most romantic thing a dove can do for his mate: He puts his beak in hers and regurgitates (vomits) food for her. This apparantly makes her feel really special. (I would rather receive roses) Ah, love. Ain't it grand?

Yeah, Autumn, I think the last time that happend to me was in my college years, and wasn't so romantic! *haha*

Alpha, no! I think I was at the same party

Alpha and Autumn, with each other? Now that would be a coincidence wouldn't it

Oh gosh....that was you? *haha* Ah well, you just didn't have the right seed mixture is all...I am more the meaty seed, and you gave me some generic bulk stuff.....I have $5.00 taste, not $2.00 taste...so sorry. *grin*

Oh, and you forgot to regurgitate meal worms........I love those!

There is no doubt in my mind that at some future magic convention I will find a box-o-mealworms in my information/welcome bag compliments of you guys Or I will win some magic trophy and the cup will be full of mealworms. Geez, I had better be careful and not give y'all ideas!

Think of the possibilities, Autumn. Meal worms to dove, or barehand production of meal worms (might be tough getting an IDH on one though):lol:

You're killin' me! Reminds me of the guy who produced a bunch-o-cockroaches on David Letterman and they ran all over his desk. Who was that?

I think that was Jack Hannah, and also Penn and Teller did it, and got banned because they knew that Letterman hated cockroaches.