How To Breed Pigeons

Pigeon feeding

There are many species of pigeons , which are among the most common birds in gardens and different places, and they may sometimes need help to provide appropriate food for them, as pigeons by nature cannot take care of themselves alone, but rather need special care in times of severe cold and food shortages, It is mentioned that the pigeon does not need to raise its head up while drinking water or eating food to swallow it like other birds, but rather keeps its head low during that, Here is a list of the best foods that pigeons eat :

Fats: Fats, which can be great food for pigeons, are found in the form of small balls, and they can be obtained from gardens, supermarkets, and other places specialized in that, and are provided to pigeons during the cold months when food is somewhat scarce; Eating them helps him survive during cold and frosty days.
Seeds, raisins, and oatmeal: These foods are suitable for bathing in the warm months instead of the fats that are served in the cold months, as mentioned previously. They need protein-rich foods, including; Apricots, raisins, dried fruits, black poppy seeds, and more.
Algae worms: Pigeons eat any kind of insects, including worms, larvae, and others. They are protein-rich foods that pigeons need in the summer. It should be noted that pigeons are by nature lazy, so eating fat in the summer is not appropriate at all because it does not burn it. In addition, the sun’s rays may melt those fats in his body, and thus make him feel slow in movement.
Other pet food: Pigeons also eat those foods that have a beautiful taste and smell, but care must be taken to offer them at their specific times for feeding, because other birds, cats and foxes also enjoy eating them.
Dietary supplements: If the pigeons’ diet is healthy, it only needs calcium granules as a food ingredient. They are granules similar to oyster shells, and they can be served in a small dish, but care must be taken not to place them on the floor inside the pigeon cage, because they may eat waste with them, and thus transmit diseases to them.
Water: Water must be provided to the Pigeons at all times and at all times that it may need, and that water must be kept clean and the pot must be wiped every time it is intended to be filled with a clean towel to avoid the formation of a sticky layer inside it over time, and it must be noted that the water is completely free of chlorine and heavy metals Therefore, it is recommended to use pure, unflavored water, and distilled water should not be used due to its lack of minerals necessary for the body.

Choose the right environment for the Pigeons

Pigeons usually live in cages that protect them from the factors of the surrounding environment, and the cage chosen must be strong enough to protect it from other predators, and the distance between the bars of the cage must be narrow to avoid other animals entering the cage, and the larger the cage, the better The height of the cage does not matter as much as its width and length; It must not be less than 100 cm in length, 75 cm in width, and 68 cm in height if there is one pigeon inside.

In addition, the base of the cage must be covered with wood or plastic to be able to remove it and clean it easily, and the bottom of the cage made of metal is never suitable for the Pigeons; As it is not comfortable or healthy for its feet, and it is preferable that the cage contain shelves.

Taking care of the cleanliness and health of the Pigeons

The key to good pigeon health is prevention; A pigeon infected with a disease cannot produce healthy eggs or chicks, and it is worth noting that pigeons come into contact with each other a lot, which leads to the transmission of diseases to all birds quickly, which makes attention to hygiene and prevention of pollution a necessity, and the need to expedite the treatment of infected pigeons . Diseases , and here are the most important tips that can be followed to take care of the cleanliness and health of the Pigeons:

Changing the base or lining of the moving cage: it must be cleaned regularly, because it is unhealthy to leave it for a long time without cleaning, as it is full of waste and causes an unpleasant odor, so it must be replaced daily.
Washing food and water dishes daily: they must be washed with a safe detergent to prevent the growth of harmful bacteria, with the need to ensure that they are well cleaned and dried before returning them to their place.
Wipe the surfaces: all surfaces, including the bars, must be wiped with a clean, damp cloth or paper towel, and stubborn dirt can be removed using a bird-safe cleaner.
Install adjustable ventilation holes in specific locations: taking into account the control of air flow and temperatures inside cages with changing weather.

Caring for young pigeons

Young pigeons usually feed on milk produced by females and males. They are semi-milky secretions secreted from the digestive system of birds to feed their young, in addition to other crops that they also eat. :

Feeding young pigeons using a syringe, after putting a little Vaseline on its tip.
Feed pigeons about 5 days old with the liquid mixture 2-3 times a day, and after the fifth day, feed with a larger syringe.
When the pigeons are about 3 weeks old, a group of small seeds are left in the cage to learn to peck seeds.
Leave a little water in a small dish, then teach the baby bird to drink water by placing its beak in the water.
The pigeon is weaned and the food it needs is left in its cage to eat and drink on its own, taking into account feeding it once a day.
Pigeons are left when they are 4-6 weeks old to eat regular feed.

Conclusion

Pigeons need special care from their breeder, as they are provided with fat grains, seeds, worms, insects, animal food, nutritional supplements and water, in addition to the need to take care of the cleanliness of the place and cages in which the pigeons live, taking into account the attention to the cleanliness of the utensils in which food and water are served, and the health of the pigeons must be taken care of to avoid Because of the spread of diseases among all birds, by taking care of the environment in which they are located, and maintaining cleanliness and good ventilation inside their cages, as for young pigeons, they can be taken care of by providing them with the necessary food according to their stages of development, and teaching them to eat food and water themselves