| Myth | Fact | |------|------| | Pigeons are pregnant. | No – they carry eggs internally for <2 days before laying. | | Gestation = 17 days. | That’s incubation after laying. True egg-to-egg cycle is ~30–35 days. | | Only female sits on eggs. | Both sexes share duty equally. | | Eggs hatch exactly on day 18. | Hatching varies ±1–2 days with temperature, humidity, parental attentiveness. |
The pigeon reproductive cycle involves several stages: pigeon gestation
So, if we are talking about the entire cycle from mating to hatching, we are looking at a timeline of roughly . | Myth | Fact | |------|------| | Pigeons are pregnant
The answer lies in their rapid growth. Pigeon parents produce a substance called (pigeon milk), which is rich in protein and fat. Squabs double their weight in just two days on this diet. | That’s incubation after laying
Thus, “pigeon gestation” = from ovulation to hatching, spanning in total.
The pigeon gestation period, also known as the incubation period, typically lasts around 18-20 days. This is the time it takes for the female pigeon to lay her eggs and for them to hatch. However, it's essential to note that pigeons do not have a traditional gestation period like mammals. Instead, they lay eggs and incubate them outside of their bodies.