breeding budgies

Question
QUESTION: Hi Chrys, it's me again. For the past four days my female budgie has been in and out of her nest box. On the first day she went in i thought that she was sick but she came out and mated with her mate. She does nothing in the box, just sit or sleep. She is sleeping a lot lately. Do you think that it's because the time is cold why she is going into the box or she is sick. Also i have a question to ask on doves will you be able to answer. Thanks in Advance
Cheryl

ANSWER: Hi, Cheryl,

If your pair is mating, chances are she is getting ready to lay eggs.  I don't know if she's sick without additional informaton from you.  Since she doesn't have much to do while awaiting eggs, she is likely sleeping in the box.  Is the female showing signs of illness?  It may be getting cold outside, but as long as the temperature is warm inside, the outside temp change won't affect the bird, unless the inside temp is cooler.  However, if a nesting box up and with them mating, it's most likely she is about to lay eggs, as long as she isn't showing signs of illness.

Doves:  Depends on the question.  I have much experience with doves and pigeons, but I don't know everything!  Send me the question.

Chrys

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: Thanks for replying so quickly Chrys. My Budgie is not showing signs of illness, she just sleeps a lot. About doves now, A friend of mine who owns a pet shop gave me three doves eggs yesterday. I have placed them into a box with a lamp and a dish of water. Do you think they can be incubated, and if they do hatch can you say how i can go about feeding them. Your advise would be appreciated.
Cheryl

Answer
Hi again, Cheryl,

What kind of doves are these, diamond doves, mourning doves, etc.?  

The setup you have created may not be satisfactory for incubating eggs.  Eggs have to be incubated at 98 degrees F constantly, and you have to turn each egg counterclockwise 1/2 way at least every 12 hours.  The dish of water is good, however, you really need a hygrometer that measures temperature and humidity.  If the eggs aren't kept at the right temperature, they will not develop properly.  The container you keep them in has to be able to maintain constant temperature and humidity.  A box usually won't suffice for this.  

Depending on the type of dove (size of eggs), if your budgie were in the process of laying, you could foster the dove eggs (if small enough in size) with the budgie.  However, you'd have to remove and handfeed the baby doves if/when they hatch (right away) because the budgie wouldn't be able to feed them.  

Chrys