The question of how long it takes for a dove egg to hatch is common, offering a specific window into the reproductive cycle of these birds. Understanding this precise timeline is important for ensuring the welfare of the developing embryo. Compared to many larger poultry species, the incubation period for doves is notably condensed, setting the stage for a quick transition from egg to hatchling.
The Standard Incubation Timeline
The typical incubation period for most common dove species, such as the Mourning Dove or Ringneck Dove, ranges from 14 to 18 days. Mourning Doves often hatch around 14 days, while other species may tend toward the longer end of that range. The female dove usually lays a clutch of two small, plain white eggs, with the second egg laid one to two days after the first.
Incubation officially begins once the parents start to apply consistent heat, which often coincides with the laying of the second egg. This strategy helps ensure both squabs hatch around the same time. Both the male and female parents share the responsibility of sitting on the nest, with the male taking the day shift and the female incubating overnight.
Essential Conditions for Successful Hatching
Maintaining precise conditions within the nest environment is paramount for the developing embryo. For artificial incubation, the internal temperature must be kept stable, ideally between 99 and 100 degrees Fahrenheit (37.2 to 37.7 degrees Celsius). Consistency is crucial, as prolonged high temperatures can be fatal or cause early, weak hatches.
Humidity is another factor requiring careful management, typically needing to be around 50 to 60% relative humidity. Proper humidity ensures the egg loses the correct amount of moisture, allowing the internal air sac to expand sufficiently for the chick to breathe before hatching. Parent doves naturally maintain these conditions and turn the eggs several times a day to prevent the embryo from sticking to the shell membrane.
Candling, which involves shining a bright light through the shell, checks the embryo’s viability and development. This is often performed around day five or six of incubation to confirm fertility by looking for an embryo shadow and a network of blood vessels. It is best to avoid candling during the final three days of incubation to prevent disturbing the chick as it prepares for hatching.
Recognizing Pipping and Immediate Post-Hatch Needs
The final, active stage begins with “pipping,” the first crack the chick makes in the shell. This initial break allows the chick to take its first breath through the air sac, beginning the transition to lung breathing. From pipping to the full emergence of the squab, the hatching process can last anywhere from 12 to 30 hours, typically around 24 hours.
Interference during this stage is discouraged, as the physical struggle strengthens the chick and allows it to fully absorb the remaining yolk sac, which provides necessary nutrients and antibodies. Intervention should only be considered if the chick has pipped and made no progress for many hours, or if the membrane appears dried and is constricting the chick.
Once hatched, the squab is helpless and its eyes are closed, relying entirely on its parents for warmth and food. The parents immediately begin feeding the hatchling “crop milk” or “pigeon milk,” a highly nutritious, protein- and fat-rich substance secreted from the lining of their crop. Both the male and female produce this milk, ensuring the squab receives the dense nutrition required for rapid growth.