March/April 1970
By the Mother Earth News editors
A good pigeon feed will contain from 13 to 15 percent protein, 60 to 70 percent carbohydrates, 2 to 5 percent fat, and not over 5 percent fiber. You will find an analysis of the feed you buy tagged to the bag. One pair of breeders will probably eat about 90 to 100 pounds of grain per year.
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Use a self-feeder hopper of type illustrated - one that holds feed waste to a minimum. Since pigeons will pick out certain favorite grains it is advisable to put only about one day's supply of grain in the hopper at one time.
At your feed dealer's you can also obtain a prepared pigeon grit, mineral mixture. This should be fed in an open pan or hopper, slightly moist, and kept before the pigeons at all times.
Pigeons are subject to many of the diseases which affect other poultry. However, in a small flock founded on healthy stock and with reasonably careful management, you should have little trouble. The floor of the house should have one inch of sand or gravel, droppings should be raked from house and yard once a week.
Nests and nest bowls should be cleaned whenever squabs are "harvested" - and nests containing eggs or squabs should not be disturbed. Twice a year house and pen should be thoroughly cleaned and disinfected.
Getting Started
You can purchase foundation stock from a pigeon breeder in your community, or order by mail from anywhere in the country. The magazine American Pigeon Journal (15¢ a copy, $1.50 a year, address: Warrenton, Mo.) carries ads of breeders, or consult your county agent or grain dealer.
There are many breeds of pigeons, but the following are the best suited to squab production: King, Carneaux, Swiss Mondaine, Homer, Runt (the largest of all breeds). You can't go wrong by choosing King or Carneaux, because they are both among the most popular breeds and you will probably find it easier to connect with a good breeder, possibly one near you.
It is as important to get good pigeon stock as it is to get good stock for all your other poultry and animal projects. Get your pigeons from a careful breeder who keeps accurate records of the production and weight of his squabs and who guarantees both age and sex.
You will want mated pairs, at least 6 to 8 months old, and yet not too old - not more than two years old. As a rule, it rarely pays to keep breeders more than 5 years. (You can eat your old pigeons, but they aren't as good as the squabs. An old pigeon is worth about 25¢ and can be eaten in pigeon pie.)
After you get your flock established you can raise your own breeders. During April, May and June you will perhaps have more squabs than you need for the table. You can raise some of these and when they are 6 to 8 months old they can be mated. One advantage in raising your own breeders is that they produce better at home where hatched.
But to begin with, you can expect to pay about $3.00 to $5.00 per pair of good breeders. Your best plan for getting good stock at a fair price is to deal with the most reliable breeder you can find. The wise procedure is probably to start with two or three or four pairs of breeders, and then to increase your flock as you go along.
