Pigeons, especially those bred for meat, typically lay eggs 6 to 8 times a year, except during the moulting season from August to October. They can breed throughout the year, with each cycle consisting of egg-laying, incubation, and brooding. A full breeding cycle usually lasts about 50 days, including 12 days of mating and laying, 18 days of incubation, and 20 to 30 days of brooding. Some high-performing meat pigeons may shorten their mating and laying period, allowing them to lay eggs again in as little as 14 days after brooding, thus reducing the overall cycle to around 40 days.
The success of breeding is closely related to factors such as breed, physical condition, age, breeding time, climate, housing, and feeding management. Young pigeons generally reach sexual maturity at around 5 months, but it's important to note that sexual maturity does not equate to full physical development. To avoid early mating, young pigeons aged 3 to 4 months should be separated by sex. It’s best to introduce them into the breeding environment at 3 to 4 months, ensuring an equal number of males and females. Pairing should begin at 6 months when they are fully mature. If the numbers or ages are mismatched, some pigeons may not pair, leading to reduced productivity.
Artificial pairing is often used in three-cage systems, where selected male and female pigeons are placed in separate cages with a wire mesh divider. This allows them to see and interact without fighting. After a few days, if they show signs of bonding, the partition can be removed. Otherwise, fights may occur, affecting egg production and hatching.
Under normal conditions, two eggs are laid per clutch. The first egg is usually laid on day one, followed by the second egg two days later. The interval between eggs is approximately 48 hours. Pigeon eggs are white and oval, weighing 15 to 20 grams. Sometimes only one egg is laid. Incubation begins after the second egg is laid, with both parents taking turns for about 18 days.
On day 4 or 5, the eggs can be candled. If red blood vessels appear evenly distributed and resemble a spider web, the egg is fertilized. A second check is done, and if one side appears dark while the other shows a clear air cell, it indicates healthy development. On day 18, the chicks hatch. Usually, the first chick breaks out first, with the second emerging about 12 hours later.
Before hatching, parent pigeons prepare by gathering materials and staying close. Once the chicks hatch, they are fed crop milk produced by the parents. For the first week, the milk is fed directly into their mouths. As they grow, the food is softened and gradually introduced. Chicks weigh about 18 to 20 grams at birth and double in weight within 2-3 days. By day 7, they start blinking, and by day 10, their feathers develop unevenly. By day 20, they are fully feathered and begin eating on their own. By day 23 to 25, they reach over 550 grams and are ready for sale.
To ensure successful breeding, it's crucial to protect the lofts from predators like cats, mice, and snakes, which can harm eggs and young pigeons. Strengthening the coop and checking daily for any issues is essential. Rodent control should also be prioritized to maintain a safe and healthy environment for the flock.
A feed supplement is a product that is added to an animal's diet to provide additional nutrients that may be lacking in the animal's regular feed. Feed supplements can come in many forms, including powders, pellets, liquids, and blocks, and can contain a variety of nutrients such as vitamins, minerals, amino acids, and probiotics. They are commonly used in livestock and poultry production to improve animal health, growth, and productivity. Some common feed supplements include calcium supplements for laying hens, probiotics for gut health in pigs, and electrolyte supplements for horses.
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