Homestead Squab and Guinea Production

Article Tools

Image Gallery

Print

E-mail

Comments

RSS

It is best to purchase young pigeons that are about to maw for the first time. These birds should be in the neighborhood of eight months of age and if young birds are procured, they will have a useful breeding life of from five to six years.

MATING

Mating of pigeons may sometimes be a problem and there are two general methods: [l] Natural mating. [2] Forced mating In the first method, all the pigeons, are placed hi a coinmon pigeon roost and are permitted to do their own selecting. As they pair off they should be separated from the rest until all the matings have been accomplished, after which time they can be again permitted to be together. In the second method, a known male and a known female are confined to a small pen and will usually mate in due time after considerable strutting and general noise making.

Pigeons usually mate in pairs and usually remain true to their mates for life although there are numerous records of matrimonial strife in the pigeon roost, which usually ends in complete reconciliations and excellent egg production. Some pigeons will mate again after having lost their original mate. However, this is not always the case and there is but one cure for such faithfulness . . . pigeon pie.

Several pairs (up to 30) may live in the same roost and flyway. Each pair should be supplied with a double nest—a partitioned orange crate is ideal—and each nest should have a platform attached to the front of the nest so as to facilitate landings.

Their housing facilities may be very simple. In warm climates the pigeon roost may be a low shed opening to the south and leading directly onto the flyway, while in more severe climates it is advisable to wall up the south side (together with the other three) allowing for ample window space so that the interior of the pigeon house will have plenty of light. Ventilation is also very important and the house should be so constructed that windows may be removed during the summer months.

The flyway need not be excessively large—a 12' X 12' flyway will accommodate at least 30 pairs—and it may be constructed of chicken wire at least six feet in height and the entire contraption should be so constructed that rats may be kept out of both house and flyway. Roosts should be provided in the flyway, and nesting boxes so placed inside the house as to make them convenient for the feeder. Of course passageways from the flyway to the nests must be open at all times, and houses constructed so that all feeding may be accomplished either from the outside of the pen or inside the houses from a narrow alleyway . . . which will eliminate much of the work of pigeon feeding. As to size of house to build, it might be suggested that three square feet of floor space be supplied for each pair of pigeons maintained.

RSS | Comments | E-mail | Print