Information About Pigeon Breeding
Pigeon breeding basics
Breeding pigeons requires following some practices and basics to ensure the best results. Choosing a specific breed of pigeon does not matter as much as applying these health practices:
Provide safe and comfortable housing
Safe and comfortable housing must be provided for the pigeons, as some types of pigeons do not get along with other types , so it is possible to build more than one role in the pigeon house, especially if the breeder owns several pairs of pigeons, and if there are some types of pigeons that are aggressive, it is important Settle it in a separate location.
On the other hand, pigeons are considered prey to some wild animals and birds, so a safe house must be provided for them, and make sure that the upper rooms are made of strong metal or wooden sheets, and that the doors and wire nets are strong and well fixed properly, to ensure that they will not scratch or injure the birds. injured.
Equipping the living environment
Pigeons are strongly affected by weather conditions, and cannot bear their turbulence and severity, as some species may not be able to survive in harsh temperatures, strong winds, or rain, so it is important to prepare and create a living environment for them.
In the winter, heating systems must be provided to help them withstand the cold weather, but in the hot months, ventilation can be increased in the upper rooms, and if there are strong winds, it is preferable to install barriers around the house to repel the wind.
Provide enough healthy food
Pigeons feed mainly on grains and seeds , and these grains must be dry, because wet grains can cause vomiting and diarrhea. Among the best grains that can be provided to feed pigeons are: wheat, corn and barley, as well as ready-made feeds that can improve the diet of pigeons.
As for seeds, pigeons like to eat peas, legumes, soybeans, and peanuts, but the seeds must be divided into smaller pieces, and food must be placed in a suitable place so that pigeons can access it at any time throughout the day.
The best place to put food near the pigeon houses is in clean basins or trays, and they must be cleaned regularly to prevent contamination. It is not preferable to place food inside the upper rooms of the pigeons, because the possibility of contamination with feces and other waste is great.
Provide enough clean water
A source of clean water must be provided so that the pigeons can access it at any time, and it is recommended to place the water next to the food basins, and there are water basins specially designed to facilitate the drinking process for the birds, and they can be used while making sure to clean them constantly, so that they are not contaminated and do not cause injury to the pigeons diseases.
Provide suitable nests
Nests are the upper boxes that are designed to lay eggs and raise young, so suitable nests should be approximately 24 inches long, 12 inches wide, and 35 inches deep.
One-third of this box must be open and covered with wire mesh, to help the birds breathe fresh air safely, and the inside of the nest must be lined with nesting material.
Securing places for swimming and showering
When the weather is warm and suitable, the pigeon prefers to take a bath, so water utensils must be provided for bathing, to allow him to wash his body and cool himself, and it is advised to change the fresh water in the utensils daily, lest parasites accumulate in it and cause diseases.
Providing platforms and places to fly
It is recommended to provide flying platforms that prevent pigeons from flying away, but at the same time allow them to exercise and fly. These platforms are called Flypens, and they consist of a wire mesh of 40.6 cm in length and 12.7 cm in width.
Read also: What Is A Shrike Bird
How to take care of the bathroom and organize it
Of course, providing suitable living requirements for pigeons alone is not sufficient. Rather, pigeons must be taken care of from a health point of view so that they are not invaded by parasites that cause diseases, which can lead to their death.
Prevention and control of bathroom parasites
If the bathroom is neglected, it will be an easy and suitable environment for the invasion of various parasites, which will affect it and reduce its productivity, and among the most prominent parasites that can infect it: mites, lice, fleas, ticks, mosquitoes and worms, and the best way to prevent infection with them is to keep the place clean. in which the bathroom lives.
Therefore, it must be ensured that the pigeon houses, food and water basins, swimming pools, nests, etc. are sterile and clean as possible, and if there is any sign of a parasite, it is recommended to use the appropriate pesticide without hesitation to eliminate it, while isolating infected birds to prevent the spread of parasites among healthy birds.
It is always advised to seek the assistance of a specialized veterinarian.
Treatment and prevention of pigeon diseases
Infection with the disease is one of the worst things that can happen to pigeons that live in the house, and it causes death in less than one week, and the most prominent of these diseases are: smallpox, Newcastle, and influenza.
These diseases can be prevented by constantly cleaning the places where pigeons live, and vaccinating pigeons against these diseases, and if some pigeons die, they must be buried and disposed of immediately, to limit the spread of the disease.
Infected pigeons must also be isolated in separate spaces and rooms and provided with separate food and water, with continuous examination and search for signs of infection, such as: wounds, scratches, bruises, holes, broken wings or limbs, and then the veterinarian must be called immediately.
Use colored rubber bands or markings to differentiate the pigeons
There are many reasons why a breeder might want to use colored rubber bands or ribbons to mark and differentiate between pigeons. Birds can be tied in order to distinguish them, or birds that participate in sports can be distinguished by certain colors, to ensure that they are not lost.
Certain pigeons can also be tied to monitor their growth and progress, and these rubbers or bands usually have different numbers, to help identify each individual bird.
Read also: Types Of Migratory Birds
