Breeding pigeons is quite hard work that does not bring much income. This business requires dedication and true love for these beautiful poultry. The reward for your work will be a magnificent sight - a flying purebred pigeon, a symbol of peace.
Instructions
Step 1
Start breeding pigeons by learning the theoretical background. Decide what kind of breed you will breed. It is better not to start with short-billed breeds and do not take more than 5-6 pairs for the content.
Step 2
Prepare the necessary inventory and equipment. First of all, you will need a pigeon house. Dovecote can be built from brick, wood, or metal. It should be spacious enough, light, without drafts. It is better to make 2 branches indoors, for adult birds and for young ones. Doors should be about 150 cm high, up to 70 cm wide. They can be made double: the outer ones are solid, and the inner ones are latticed. Make the floor from planed boards, raising it 25 cm from the ground to avoid dampness. The height of the dovecote should be about 2 meters.
Step 3
Familiarize yourself with the pigeon ration and purchase the necessary feed. Remember to maintain the vitamin and mineral balance in the diet of birds. Do not overfeed pigeons, therefore, when cold weather sets in, increase the amount of feed, and decrease it in the warm season.
Step 4
Buy pigeons of the chosen breed and keep a bird log, as well as cards with the pedigree of each bird.
Step 5
Protect your dovecote from cats and rodents. A common rat can ruin your work by strangling chicks or stealing eggs.
Step 6
Learn breeding and crossbreeding methods. Select the birds that are most suitable for breeding and start creating your own genealogical line. However, remember that in subsequent generations, the positive qualities of the ancestor may be lost. For breeding, use only high-breed pigeons with pronounced signs of noble origin.
Step 7
Maintain a pedigree for each pigeon. They include the name of the bird itself, the names of the parents, color and other signs. Based on the pedigrees, conclusions can be drawn about the transmission of hereditary traits. Good luck in breeding beautiful purebred pigeons!
