laying eggs

Question
QUESTION: I have a Indian fantail that has laid eggs twice.  The first eggs, one hatched but did not live, the other egg was not good. She recently laid again and the same thing has happened.  What can I do to prevent this from happening?  Am I not feeding them the right thing? I give them wild bird seed, along with corn and a poultry supplement.  She continues to sit on the egg and the baby.  Do I take the bad egg away from her, is this causing her to neglect the young born?  I am very frustrated.  Please give me some advise.  Thank you.

ANSWER: Not sure I can offer much advice without a LOT more information.

Pigeons need around 16 % protein feed.  Chicken feed is not high enough, but shouldn't prevent eggs from being viable.

If either parent is young (less than 9 months) patience may be the requirement.  

I would recommend separating them for 2 months, then trying again.  

Dave

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

QUESTION: Thank you for your response.  Could you tell me exactly what I should be feeding my birds, I have trouble finding anything except wild bird seed and so I am mixing extra corn and the supplement. I also keep poultry grit in their cage.

Answer
There should be someone in your area that carries pigeon grain mixes.  The following are common ingredients: Australian peas, Maple peas, Canadian peas, garden peas, cowpeas, yellow corn (or Indian), millet, barley, flaxseed, vetch, wheat, safflower, sunflower, milo and popcorn.  Never feed un-crimped oats, as these can puncture the crop.

A quick google search will likely produce a recipe if you want to mix your own, but it will be much cheaper to buy premixed.

Parent birds feeding young need around 17% protein.
Flying Rollers need around 15%.
Flying Homers need around 18%.
Non-breeding birds in winter need around 11%.  The extra carbs help maintain body heat.