pigion nesting/egg on balacony?

Question
QUESTION: Hi, I noticed a pigeon has built a nest and laid a egg within the last few days. The balcony is private yet we come in and out of the office space. not the balcony.
I noticed the egg but there is not a pigeon sitting on it?
Does this mean it has been abanonded? what shall I do?

ANSWER: Hi Geri,

Has the pigeon been back to sit on the egg? Have you noticed it hanging around? It is very possible that the pigeon felt disturbed and decided that the balcony was not the best place to raise a family. If the pigeon does not return within a day or so and the egg is still there, you can discard it. Don't worry, you will not be killing it since incubation takes around 17-20 days and there is no guarantee the egg is fertile anyway. If it has been sitting out for a while without a pigeon incubating it, it would not be viable. I would just wait a while to see if the pigeon comes back. Let me know how it goes!

Thanks,
Stacie

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

QUESTION: Hello Stacie,
The pigeon came back and sat on the eggs and now there are two baby pigeons!! yippee! Now what? How long before they will fly away. I am anxious to clean up the mess(droppings)
Also, the pigeons are a problem in the area as there are retail shops below and the mess is constant. Once they are big enough how do we deter them from coming back there?

Answer
Hi Geri,

I am glad to hear the parent came back! Just leave the babies alone as the parents do everything to care for them. It typically takes about 4-6 weeks or so before the babies start out on their own. Once the babies are out of the nest, immediately clean up the area. If you can, place some chicken wire around the area to block it off so the pigeons cannot nest there. If you see other pigeons congregating in the area, chase them off and promptly remove any nesting materials.

Thanks,
Stacie