Pigeons are known for their high reproductive efficiency, with a pair typically laying 6 to 8 eggs per year, except during the moulting season from August to October. They can lay eggs throughout the year, and the entire breeding cycle—from mating to hatching, raising the young, and preparing for the next round—usually takes around 50 days. This includes 12 days of mating and egg-laying, 18 days of incubation, and 20 to 30 days of brooding. However, some high-performing meat pigeons can shorten this cycle to about 40 days by reducing the mating period and shortening the brooding time, allowing them to lay eggs again sooner.
The success of breeding depends on several factors, including the breed, physical condition, age of the birds, breeding timing, climate, housing conditions, and feeding practices. Young pigeons usually reach sexual maturity at around 5 months, but it's important to note that sexual maturity doesn't always mean they're physically ready for breeding. It's advisable to keep young pigeons aged 3 to 4 months separate from adults to avoid early pairing, as their bodies may not be fully developed yet. Most pigeons are ready for breeding at 6 months old, when their bodies have matured sufficiently.
When introducing young pigeons for pairing, it’s best to do so at 3 to 4 months of age, ensuring an equal number of males and females. Pairing should be done purposefully once they reach 6 months. Unequal numbers or age gaps can lead to unpaired pigeons, which reduces overall productivity. Artificial pairing is often used, where selected males and females are placed in a cage with a wire mesh divider, allowing them to see and get familiar with each other. After a few days, the partition is removed, reducing the risk of fights.
Each clutch usually consists of two eggs. The first egg is laid on day one, followed by the second egg on day three, with a 48-hour gap. Eggs are white, oval, and weigh between 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 to check for development. A healthy fertilized egg will show even red veins resembling a spider web. By day 10, the egg should appear dark on one side and light on the other, indicating normal growth. On day 18, the chicks begin to hatch, with the first chick breaking out first, followed by the second after about 12 hours.
Before hatching, parent pigeons start preparing by gathering materials. Once the chicks hatch, they are fed pigeon milk, which is secreted from the crop of the parents. For the first week, the young are fed soft, moist food. Their weight increases rapidly, reaching 18–20 grams at birth and doubling within 2–3 days. By day 7, they start blinking, and by day 10, they have uneven feathers. Full feather coverage appears by day 20. At 23–25 days old, they can eat on their own and weigh over 550 grams, making them suitable for sale.
To ensure successful breeding, it's essential to protect the lofts from predators like cats, rats, and snakes, which can damage eggs and harm young pigeons. Reinforce the cages and check daily for any issues, such as missing eggs or sick birds. Effective rodent control is also crucial to maintain a 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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