How do you incubate a morning dove egg?

Question

I found a torn apart nest with two eggs around it on the yard today one egg was cracked and covered in ants and the other was in great condition I am hoping to be able to incubate it till it hatches, how can I do the incubating?

Answer 1

There is a good chance that the egg is already dead..it if got too cold at some point or it could have been "killed" in the fall. If it is still alive it would be very difficult for you to hatch without an incubator, eggs need very specific temperatures and need to be turned periodically. Also, it is illegal for you to have this egg in your possesion and if it was to hatch..it would be illegal for you to have and raise the chick as well. You might try locating a local wildlife rehab center to see if they would be willing to take it or if it is worth getting to them. Look for a rehab near you here:
http://www.tc.umn.edu/~devo0028/contact....

Answer 2

The same way you would do a chicken egg. Usually by the time you find them on the ground, the eggs are already cold and the bird is dead. To see if it is, you can hold it up to a very bright light and see if you see veins running through the shell. Depending on how old the egg is, you may even see a shadow of the bird inside. If their are veins and even a bird then it may still be alive. Keep it warm by putting it on a soft cloth in a small box and shine a lightbulb on it. Not too close so that you do not cook the egg but give it warmth. Turn it a quarter turn every few hours so that it warms the other sides until it hatches. Most of the time if the egg is on the ground and their is no nest with it, then the mother kicked it out because it already didn't hatch in the alloted time frame, especially if the egg that the ants had was only a yolk. Most likely it isn't fertile.

Answer 3

Listen to birdgirl. She is correct - it is illegal for you to have the egg. Here is the law:

"Anyone desiring to possess migratory birds or their parts or products should be aware that all of these are covered under the Migratory Bird Treaty Act (16U.S.C. 703-712), which implements a series of international treaties designed to protect migratory birds.

Some key provisions of the Act are worth keeping in mind:

Wording of the Act makes it very clear that most actions that result in "taking" or possession of a protected species or its parts or products is a violation of the Act. Specifically, the Act states:
"Unless and except as permitted by regulations, …it shall be unlawful at any time, by any means, or in any manner…to pursue, hunt, take, capture, kill, …possess, offer for sale, sell, …purchase, import…any migratory bird, any part, nest, or eggs of any such bird…"
It is a "strict-liability" law, meaning that there is no requirement for law enforcement agencies to prove "intent" to violate the law. That is, if you are found in possession of a protected species or its parts or products, you are automatically in violation of the law.
The provisions of the Act are nearly absolute; "...except as permitted by regulations ..." is the only exception. Some examples of permitted activities that do not violate the law are legal hunting of specific game birds, legitimate research activities, display in licensed zoological gardens, and bird banding under an appropriate permit.
The Act covers the great majority (83%) of all native birds found in the U.S. Many of the species not covered by the Act are covered by the Endangered Species Act , other Federal laws, or state laws, many of which are as stringent as the Migratory Bird Treaty Act . In the lower 48 states, all species except the house sparrow, feral pigeon, common starling, and non-migratory game birds like pheasants, gray partridge, and sage grouse, are protected.
Penalties upon conviction can be severe. Even if a sympathetic jury finds that you meant no harm in trying to rear an abandoned nestling or in picking a hawk feather, legal defense costs are clearly not worth the risk."
http://www.npwrc.usgs.gov/about/faqs/birds/feathers.htm

Answer 4

fairly you need to pass to a vet or a rehabilitater , and ascertain they no what to do. -_-' sorry yet you probable cant do it on your individual. except you like to maintain it heat under a warming blanket or some thing. it may no longer make it except you're taking fairly solid care of it.