Breeding healthy pigeons is not a simple process. If you want to breed a healthy pigeon then there are many important steps that must be followed. The antibiotics that you use can effect on any breeding that you do. The local temperatures and food supply are a fact for pigeons to breed all year round. A pigeon reaches sexual maturity in about five, six months of age. By mastering the practice of breeding, you’ll have the ability to control the quality, quantity, and most importantly, performance. Whether you want to establish a solid reputation as a top breeder or you are looking to sell your pigeons and generate huge profits, you need to know all the facts. Take into consideration to get advices and help from experts before starting to breed pigeons.
Mating Pigeons
POPETPOP 8pcs Plastic Bird Nest-Bird Nesting Bowls Pigeon Nest Bowl Breeding Hatching Nest for Pigeons, Quails, and Small Birds 4.2 out of 5 stars 18 $28.99 $ 28. This is an alphabetical list of pigeon breeds. Pigeons and doves are members of the bird family Columbidae. Doves tend to be smaller and pigeons larger, although this distinction is not consistently applied. The birds listed here are breeds of the domestic pigeon (Columba livia domestica).
After mated, the male will start hunting to make a nest and rear young when found a suitable place. Many doves make nests in trees where domestic pigeons do not nest. Most fanciers (breeders) also provide a nest bowl and some nesting materials (pine needles, tobacco stems, etc.) for the birds to use. The nest bowl helps to prevent the eggs not to roll out from under the pair and chill. Both the male and the female take part in the incubation and rearing of the young. After about ten days from mating, females lay their first egg, which is usually late afternoon or early evening. In about 44 hours the second egg is laid. The incubation starts after the second laid egg. The male usually broods between 10 a.m. and 5 p.m. where the female broods the rest of the time. After 18 days from the start of the incubation, hatching occurs. Youngsters are fed by both parents and here is where pigeons/doves are unique. The parents need not even leave the nest to hunt down insects, etc., as do many other genera or species. Instead, they feed their young on a glandular crop secretion called ‘pigeon milk’. It is not actually milk, and there is no lactose in it, but its production is stimulated by prolactin, the same hormone which stimulates milk production in mammals. Pigeon milk looks more like a cream-colored cottage cheese and is a high protein food which is fed to the youngsters from hatching till about ten days old when regurgitated grain and grit replace it as the major food source. Domestic pigeons usually have a seamless aluminium identity band placed on their leg at about ten days of age. This band is coded by year of hatch, club identification and a number. Youngsters fledge at about 35 days. However, when the young are about eighteen days old, the parents will often commence to renest. It is not uncommon for one round of youngsters to be fledging at the same time that next are hatching.
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Pigeon Breeds for Utility and Sport
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Recognized as a Master Breeder of Old Dutch Capuchines and Bavarian Pouters, Layne Gardner has had the good fortune of traveling the world photographing various types of pigeons. In her 50 years of raising pigeons (she started early!) she has developed a passion for quality and enjoys seeing excellent specimens in various breeds. She may have chosen Capuchines for their elegant Cruella de Vil neck feathers and possibly the Bavarian Pouters for their attractive balloon-like crop. But what characteristics and breed will you choose?
Black German Nun
With hundreds of types of pigeons to pick from, selecting a breed or variety can be overwhelming. Popular pigeon facts include their ability to adapt to various conditions and their inexpensive maintenance costs, which doesn’t help narrow down the choices. One of the best ways to choose a breed is by focusing on the flock’s purpose. Types of pigeons may be grouped into three classes: utility, fancy, and flying or homing breeds.
Pigeon Breeds by Class
Utility Breeds
These birds are used mostly for squab production. The largest types of pigeons in this category include the White Kings, Red Carneau, French Mondaine, Giant Homers, and the ironically named Runts.
Michael Kolodziej, owner of Ruffled Feather Farm, has been raising pigeons for 30 years. Currently, he raises one of the largest pigeon breeds and one of the smallest.
“The giant runt is the largest breed of pigeon, and their size alone makes them regal,” he says. “They are truly a gentle giant. How to play pigeon games by yourself. They are not the easiest breed to work with; because of their size, they break their eggs and even crush their young.”
He tells me that they are best left undisturbed. When the squabs hatch, it’s amazing to watch this tiny chick develop into a giant.
“I very seldom advertise my runts; they sell themselves,” Kolodziej adds. “When people see them, they just have to have them. Their mass and impressive size win you over.”
Runt Pigeon
Red Carneau
Pigeon Breed List
French Mondain
Opal French Mondain
Fancy Breeds
These pigeons are kept for their gorgeous color, form, and texture. I remember fondly going to the New York State fair, annually and visiting the poultry building. I would spend hours on the second floor which was dedicated to the whimsical types of pigeons New York fanciers had to offer. These exhibition breeds included Fantails, Jacobins, Owls, Pouters, Tumblers, and Modenas.
What do pigeons eat? Knowing what to feed pigeonsdepends on the breed. Some types of pigeons, because of their beak and head size, may require only the smallest of seed and grain.
Fantail
Jacobin
African Owl
Chinese Owl
Modena
How To Breed Grizzle Pigeons
Magpie
Flying or Homing Breeds
Possibly the most famous, this category includes racing pigeons that are used for endurance flying (distance or height) and their homing instinct. Breeds include Racing Homers and Rollers.
Game Pigeon Online
Kolodziej says that Portuguese tumblers are one of the smallest breeds of pigeons. “They are extremely fast flyers and they perform well.”
Their small size is intriguing as well as the way they carry themselves. They have an erect stance, powerful chest and a small beak which makes their appearance pleasing.
“When the males court, they walk on tip-toe and almost inhale to make themselves appear more impressive,” Kolodziej has noticed. “Another interesting factor is the wide variety of colors and unique patterns. It is always exciting to watch the young birds feather out to see what you produced. My biggest enjoyment is watching them fly. I sit for hours and just watch.”
Portuguese Tumblers
Dark Check Show Roller
German Long Face Tumbler
Flying Baldhead Kite Pigeon
Exhibition Blue Bar Homer
Domestic Show Flight Pigeon
Berlin Short-Faced Tumbler
American Show Racer
Do you have a type of pigeon that’s your favorite? What types of pigeons are you considering? Let us know in the comments below.