Pigeon fanciers use false eggs for a few different reasons. One common use is to pause breeding—they simply swap out the real eggs with fake ones, and the pigeons don’t notice the difference. The birds will sit on the false eggs just like they would real ones, staying on them past the normal hatching time.
Another reason is to help regulate the laying cycle. Sometimes, a hen will stay in the nest bowl as if she has eggs, even when she hasn’t laid any. By placing false eggs under her, the pair may go through the natural incubation process, which can help restart their normal egg-laying cycle. It’s a simple trick that helps manage breeding without stressing the pigeons!