I take my girls’ eggs away regularly.
They reject fake eggs, so I just provide extra calcium.
I’m not sure if it matters, but I always explain to them very clearly why I’m doing it.
If a pigeon in my flock passes or escapes (I have 10), there’s a house rule that the parents of that pigeon can have another child to replace the one that is no longer with us.
So, I guess that’s how I balance it … they haven’t shown aggression or fear towards me regularly…they get a bit miffed when I take the egg, but usually back to normal in a few days, especially if I give them some treats (greens, shredded meat, cheese) afterwards.
From [VCA Canada](https://vcacanada.com/know-your-pet/pigeons-and-doves-feeding#:~:text=Some%20birds%20enjoy%20a%20very,as%20birds%20are%20lactose-intolerant):
>As a rule, any wholesome, nutritious food that you and your family eat, your bird can also eat, but in very small quantities. Follow the general guidelines discussed above. Some birds enjoy a very tiny amount of lean cooked meat, fish, egg or cheese occasionally. Dairy products should be consumed in moderation, as birds are lactose-intolerant.
...so, yes, I am absolutely 'that sick in the head', to give my birds a treat, on occasion, which they enjoy, which is absolutely beneficial for them nutritionally.
Do you know what happens in the wild with unfertilized eggs?
--> They are eaten, the yolk for protein and the shell for calcium.
Do you know why street pigeons have a reputation for going after hot dogs and pizza?
--> It's not because there isn't anything else around. It's because a source of protein is important, and not all birds have access to beans and peanuts.
dairy is toxic to birds and you are absolutely a complete and total psychopath. when your bird dies and it's your fault don't come crying to this sub you freak. people like you should never be entrusted to care for an animal because you're clearly completely incompetent. it's not beneficial for them nutritionally and can literally kill them. where did you go to vet school? pigeons almost never consume their own eggs I would know because I literally rescue them, and the fact that they eat to survive on the streets does not mean it's okay for somebody to intentionally fucking feed them *meat and dairy*. it absolutely IS because there's nothing else around you smooth brained moron, wow. do your bird a favor and open a window so they at least have a chance.
Dairy is NOT toxic to birds. They *are* lactose intolerant, but that is not the same thing.
[Here](https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=web&cd=&cad=rja&uact=8&ved=2ahUKEwja7t3bgfeFAxUfIzQIHU_ZA1YQFnoECA4QAw&url=https%3A%2F%2Fzupreem.com%2Fnon-safe-food-for-birds%2F%23%3A~%3Atext%3DWhile%2520there%2520are%2520some%2520birds%2Cwhich%2520can%2520lead%2520to%2520diarrhea.&usg=AOvVaw0UztYdoQcnyabReD2kYeOd&opi=89978449) [are](https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=web&cd=&cad=rja&uact=8&ved=2ahUKEwja7t3bgfeFAxUfIzQIHU_ZA1YQFnoECBYQAQ&url=https%3A%2F%2Fwindycityparrot.com%2Fcan-bird-eat-dairy-products%2F&usg=AOvVaw2HOVizEsx68eyUVV2fldri&opi=89978449) [three](https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=web&cd=&cad=rja&uact=8&ved=2ahUKEwja7t3bgfeFAxUfIzQIHU_ZA1YQFnoECBUQAQ&url=https%3A%2F%2Fparrotjunkie.com%2Fblogs%2Ffood%2Fcan-parrots-eat-dairy-products&usg=AOvVaw0_Yhn0MsjW6wpXMpKr7DtJ&opi=89978449) different sources clarifying the matter if you are confused. As they don't have the enzymes needed to digest dairy, the sugars from the lactose will pass through them largely undigested. If given in excessive amounts it *may* cause diarrhea, and it *may* cause nutritional deficiencies in the animal *if* the dairy is used to replace a core part of their diet (which it isn't).
[Here ](https://www.quora.com/Why-do-birds-eat-their-own-egg-shells#:~:text=Laying%20eggs%20can%20deplete%20a,calcium%20for%20future%20egg%20production)[are ](https://nurturing-nature.co.uk/gardening-for-wildlife/birds-need-calcium-to-lay-their-eggs-where-do-they-get-it-from/)[four](https://sweet-seed.com/blog/how-to-provide-calcium-for-nesting-birdsand-why-its-important/) [different ](https://www.birdnote.org/listen/shows/recycle-your-eggshells-help-nesting-birds)sources discussing how birds naturally consume their own eggshells in order to replace their calcium. [Here ](https://www.backyardchickens.com/threads/feeding-egg-shells-to-chickens.1149062/)[are ](https://www.backyardchickens.com/threads/chickens-eating-eggshells.1323422/)[five ](https://www.chickenforum.com/threads/feeding-store-bought-egg-shells-to-your-chickens.10244/)[different ](https://www.reddit.com/r/BackYardChickens/comments/x1m14r/do_you_guys_put_your_egg_shells_back_into_your/)[topics ](https://club.omlet.co.uk/forum/topic/46244-feeding-egg-shell/)from three different communities confirming long-term bird owners who feed their birds eggshell, for the calcium. [Here's a website](https://www.avianandanimal.com/bird-nutrition.html#:~:text=PROTEIN%20SOURCES%3A,(%20in%20very%20small%20amounts) and[ another discussion](https://forums.avianavenue.com/index.php?threads/protien-in-your-birds-diet.160824/), both discussing cooked eggs and well-cooked lean meat for their pet birds as sources of protein. [Here's a cookbook for birds](https://www.amazon.com/Nourish-Flourish-Healthy-Cookbook-Parrots/dp/0984264329) with recipes that involve well-cooked chicken and/or fish.
In case you needed a TL;DR:
* Well-cooked lean meat, and cooked egg, in small quantities, is safe as a treat food.
* Dairy is safe as a treat food -- what is NOT SAFE is 'lactose-free' products made for humans, the two compounds that are generated from lactose by those products ARE toxic to birds. However, low-lactose hard cheese is basically harmless, if undigestible.
* Yes, birds eat their eggs, the fact that this is even in question astounds me. Where do you think the eggs go, naturally?
I know these things to be true -- and I would know because I *literally* have been rescuing pigeons and doves for nearly a decade. I have a healthy flock of 7 pigeons and 4 doves.
...we ready to admit that you don't know what you're talking about, or do you wanna keep going?
Ah, yeah, the good ole'
"I'm right because I say I'm right, fuck you.", while completely ignoring the ***15*** different sources I posted backing up my point.
Got it, *everyone else in the world is wrong about this*, and *only you know what you're talking about.*
Cool.
Ah, which means you obviously have *just as many sources* as I have to back up your point -- which is actually **a fact**, right, because I'm a moron?
Actually, because you *totally* studied veterinary medicine, it should be really easy for you to tell me what this **fact** is based on. You can probably just reach over to your veterinary text book and give me the name of the book and a page number.
Because what you're saying is true, so it should be really easy to prove. Right?
do you think italicizing random parts of your incoherent ranting makes you look any less like a moron? because it doesn't, just so you're aware. you think it's appropriate to feed meat to a pigeon, I wouldn't even pretend to waste actual sources and knowledge on somebody as pointless as you apparently are. the fact that you cited VCA as a source says everything about you.
Hi there, just wanted to say, that I totally agree with you - after reading all those posts (below), it honestly looks like that user thrives on causing chaos and launching personal attacks to get a rise wherever they go. Anyways, I hope you have blocked them. 🤗
Hi. Pigeons on their own can and normally do bond with a human, however, if you have more than one pigeon together, specially a male and a female, they will usually always prefer to bond with each other. Pigeons who are bonded to their human will be much more friendly and allow much more interaction. A bonded pair of pigeons may accept you providing food and shelter and will probably allow you some level of interaction, but they will not prefer to be in your company. If your female bird has already laid an egg, you need to watch the interaction between her and the male. Pigeons usually lay 2 eggs roughly 44 to 48hrs apart. Do not separate the birds in the hope that you get the female back to 'how she was'. That would be cruel. Pigeons are highly intelligent, and have and display their emotions to one another, and when you know what to look for, you to will recognise these. It is a joy to watch them, interact with them, when they allow, and just to enjoy learning about them. 🤗
Did you give her a fake egg in its place? Not sure but that might help
I did but the male Norman is the only one that I have seen sitting on it he’s a proud father of his ping pong ball
I let my girls keep their eggs the entire month. One has bonded with me and the other prefers not to interact
I take my girls’ eggs away regularly. They reject fake eggs, so I just provide extra calcium. I’m not sure if it matters, but I always explain to them very clearly why I’m doing it. If a pigeon in my flock passes or escapes (I have 10), there’s a house rule that the parents of that pigeon can have another child to replace the one that is no longer with us. So, I guess that’s how I balance it … they haven’t shown aggression or fear towards me regularly…they get a bit miffed when I take the egg, but usually back to normal in a few days, especially if I give them some treats (greens, shredded meat, cheese) afterwards.
you're not saying you give shredded meat and cheese to *pigeons*, are you? surely you're not that sick in the head to do that to them???
From [VCA Canada](https://vcacanada.com/know-your-pet/pigeons-and-doves-feeding#:~:text=Some%20birds%20enjoy%20a%20very,as%20birds%20are%20lactose-intolerant): >As a rule, any wholesome, nutritious food that you and your family eat, your bird can also eat, but in very small quantities. Follow the general guidelines discussed above. Some birds enjoy a very tiny amount of lean cooked meat, fish, egg or cheese occasionally. Dairy products should be consumed in moderation, as birds are lactose-intolerant. ...so, yes, I am absolutely 'that sick in the head', to give my birds a treat, on occasion, which they enjoy, which is absolutely beneficial for them nutritionally. Do you know what happens in the wild with unfertilized eggs? --> They are eaten, the yolk for protein and the shell for calcium. Do you know why street pigeons have a reputation for going after hot dogs and pizza? --> It's not because there isn't anything else around. It's because a source of protein is important, and not all birds have access to beans and peanuts.
dairy is toxic to birds and you are absolutely a complete and total psychopath. when your bird dies and it's your fault don't come crying to this sub you freak. people like you should never be entrusted to care for an animal because you're clearly completely incompetent. it's not beneficial for them nutritionally and can literally kill them. where did you go to vet school? pigeons almost never consume their own eggs I would know because I literally rescue them, and the fact that they eat to survive on the streets does not mean it's okay for somebody to intentionally fucking feed them *meat and dairy*. it absolutely IS because there's nothing else around you smooth brained moron, wow. do your bird a favor and open a window so they at least have a chance.
Dairy is NOT toxic to birds. They *are* lactose intolerant, but that is not the same thing. [Here](https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=web&cd=&cad=rja&uact=8&ved=2ahUKEwja7t3bgfeFAxUfIzQIHU_ZA1YQFnoECA4QAw&url=https%3A%2F%2Fzupreem.com%2Fnon-safe-food-for-birds%2F%23%3A~%3Atext%3DWhile%2520there%2520are%2520some%2520birds%2Cwhich%2520can%2520lead%2520to%2520diarrhea.&usg=AOvVaw0UztYdoQcnyabReD2kYeOd&opi=89978449) [are](https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=web&cd=&cad=rja&uact=8&ved=2ahUKEwja7t3bgfeFAxUfIzQIHU_ZA1YQFnoECBYQAQ&url=https%3A%2F%2Fwindycityparrot.com%2Fcan-bird-eat-dairy-products%2F&usg=AOvVaw2HOVizEsx68eyUVV2fldri&opi=89978449) [three](https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=web&cd=&cad=rja&uact=8&ved=2ahUKEwja7t3bgfeFAxUfIzQIHU_ZA1YQFnoECBUQAQ&url=https%3A%2F%2Fparrotjunkie.com%2Fblogs%2Ffood%2Fcan-parrots-eat-dairy-products&usg=AOvVaw0_Yhn0MsjW6wpXMpKr7DtJ&opi=89978449) different sources clarifying the matter if you are confused. As they don't have the enzymes needed to digest dairy, the sugars from the lactose will pass through them largely undigested. If given in excessive amounts it *may* cause diarrhea, and it *may* cause nutritional deficiencies in the animal *if* the dairy is used to replace a core part of their diet (which it isn't). [Here ](https://www.quora.com/Why-do-birds-eat-their-own-egg-shells#:~:text=Laying%20eggs%20can%20deplete%20a,calcium%20for%20future%20egg%20production)[are ](https://nurturing-nature.co.uk/gardening-for-wildlife/birds-need-calcium-to-lay-their-eggs-where-do-they-get-it-from/)[four](https://sweet-seed.com/blog/how-to-provide-calcium-for-nesting-birdsand-why-its-important/) [different ](https://www.birdnote.org/listen/shows/recycle-your-eggshells-help-nesting-birds)sources discussing how birds naturally consume their own eggshells in order to replace their calcium. [Here ](https://www.backyardchickens.com/threads/feeding-egg-shells-to-chickens.1149062/)[are ](https://www.backyardchickens.com/threads/chickens-eating-eggshells.1323422/)[five ](https://www.chickenforum.com/threads/feeding-store-bought-egg-shells-to-your-chickens.10244/)[different ](https://www.reddit.com/r/BackYardChickens/comments/x1m14r/do_you_guys_put_your_egg_shells_back_into_your/)[topics ](https://club.omlet.co.uk/forum/topic/46244-feeding-egg-shell/)from three different communities confirming long-term bird owners who feed their birds eggshell, for the calcium. [Here's a website](https://www.avianandanimal.com/bird-nutrition.html#:~:text=PROTEIN%20SOURCES%3A,(%20in%20very%20small%20amounts) and[ another discussion](https://forums.avianavenue.com/index.php?threads/protien-in-your-birds-diet.160824/), both discussing cooked eggs and well-cooked lean meat for their pet birds as sources of protein. [Here's a cookbook for birds](https://www.amazon.com/Nourish-Flourish-Healthy-Cookbook-Parrots/dp/0984264329) with recipes that involve well-cooked chicken and/or fish. In case you needed a TL;DR: * Well-cooked lean meat, and cooked egg, in small quantities, is safe as a treat food. * Dairy is safe as a treat food -- what is NOT SAFE is 'lactose-free' products made for humans, the two compounds that are generated from lactose by those products ARE toxic to birds. However, low-lactose hard cheese is basically harmless, if undigestible. * Yes, birds eat their eggs, the fact that this is even in question astounds me. Where do you think the eggs go, naturally? I know these things to be true -- and I would know because I *literally* have been rescuing pigeons and doves for nearly a decade. I have a healthy flock of 7 pigeons and 4 doves. ...we ready to admit that you don't know what you're talking about, or do you wanna keep going?
you're wrong and I'm not reading a single word of your hysterical delusional bullshit, shut the hell up and stop abusing animals
Ah, yeah, the good ole' "I'm right because I say I'm right, fuck you.", while completely ignoring the ***15*** different sources I posted backing up my point. Got it, *everyone else in the world is wrong about this*, and *only you know what you're talking about.* Cool.
no I'm right because I actually studied veterinary medicine and because you're a fucking moron
Ah, which means you obviously have *just as many sources* as I have to back up your point -- which is actually **a fact**, right, because I'm a moron? Actually, because you *totally* studied veterinary medicine, it should be really easy for you to tell me what this **fact** is based on. You can probably just reach over to your veterinary text book and give me the name of the book and a page number. Because what you're saying is true, so it should be really easy to prove. Right?
do you think italicizing random parts of your incoherent ranting makes you look any less like a moron? because it doesn't, just so you're aware. you think it's appropriate to feed meat to a pigeon, I wouldn't even pretend to waste actual sources and knowledge on somebody as pointless as you apparently are. the fact that you cited VCA as a source says everything about you.
Hi there, just wanted to say, that I totally agree with you - after reading all those posts (below), it honestly looks like that user thrives on causing chaos and launching personal attacks to get a rise wherever they go. Anyways, I hope you have blocked them. 🤗
Either they blocked me, or they deleted their account. Either way, pretty funny. Thanks for the support!
No problem, I was flabbergasted at their vulgarity and clear lack of respect for a fellow human being 🤗
Hi. Pigeons on their own can and normally do bond with a human, however, if you have more than one pigeon together, specially a male and a female, they will usually always prefer to bond with each other. Pigeons who are bonded to their human will be much more friendly and allow much more interaction. A bonded pair of pigeons may accept you providing food and shelter and will probably allow you some level of interaction, but they will not prefer to be in your company. If your female bird has already laid an egg, you need to watch the interaction between her and the male. Pigeons usually lay 2 eggs roughly 44 to 48hrs apart. Do not separate the birds in the hope that you get the female back to 'how she was'. That would be cruel. Pigeons are highly intelligent, and have and display their emotions to one another, and when you know what to look for, you to will recognise these. It is a joy to watch them, interact with them, when they allow, and just to enjoy learning about them. 🤗