The dove is the bird most familiar to the eye of even a city dweller, far from nature. But at the same time, scientists still have not found an unambiguous answer to the question: how do pigeons orient themselves in space and find their way home unmistakably. In dovecotes and domestic zoo corners, the most common species are domestic pigeons and dwarf turtle doves. The requirements for the living and nutritional conditions of these beautiful birds largely depend on the breed and time of year.
Instructions
Step 1
The first thing to take care of when keeping pigeons is choosing a habitat. If you decide to breed mongrel pigeons or cisars (they are most often found on city streets), make an ordinary typical dovecote, the appearance and dimensions of which are approved by the administration of your city (usually there are 3 standard projects in cities).
Step 2
To keep pigeons in rural areas, build a dovecote however you like, however, it should have basic structural elements anyway. In the dovecote in the attic, make a walk outside, and also equip the dwelling for pigeons with a two-meter room. Separate it from the rest of the attic with plywood or wire mesh. The dovecote can be one- or two-section, installed on a flat roof and built from mesh (in warm climates), wood or iron-upholstered planks.
Step 3
If you prefer dwarf domestic species (for example, the short-winged dove), buy a special cage for your pet. In the films, you can see that the houses of pigeons are kept in domed cages with various openwork decorations, but this is wrong. Buy a rectangular cage made of sturdy wood, avoid decorative elements - they complicate the maintenance of the pigeon's home. The worst option is the cage of their copper rods: under the influence of oxygen, copper quickly oxidizes, forming an oxide that is harmful to the health of the bird.
Step 4
Feeding pigeons depends on the season. During the winter, feed a nutritious, but limited amount of protein. Include in the diet of barley and wheat (in a ratio of 2: 3).
Step 5
After winter, the mating season begins, it lasts 2-3 weeks in March. Make sure your bird food is rich in protein and amino acids. Beginning in mid-March, include minerals and vitamins in your diet to ensure optimal growth of the chicks as the breeding season begins. Mix the following ingredients: peas (20%) + oats (10%) + wheat (50%) + barley (20%). Also add to the feed mixture potassium iodide (70 mg per 1 kg of feed) and tocopherol - a vitamin that affects mating and egg laying (2-3 drops per 1 kg of feed).
Step 6
In April, pigeons begin to fly out of the dovecote, so be sure to feed them mainly with carbohydrates, which will give them strength for long flights. However, the breeding period continues, adults need to feed and raise chicks, so the food must be complete. Feed the birds the following mixture: hemp (5%) + oats (5%) + wheat (10%) + peas (20%) + barley (30%) + millet (30%). If the weather is hot, refrain from feeding legumes, as their digestion is difficult at high temperatures.
Step 7
From August to November, pigeons shed heavily. Therefore, make sure that their food contains an increased amount of protein, otherwise the molting period may increase, and new feathers will form short and weak. Add 10 ml per kg of fish oil to the feed.
