How to Raise Meat Pigeons: A Detailed Guide to Breeding Techniques and Precautions

Meat pigeons, which we can also collectively call squabs, generally refer to young pigeons under four weeks of age. Because this kind of meat pigeon is extremely high in both nutritional value and medicinal value, more and more people are starting to raise meat pigeons. So how exactly should meat pigeons be raised? And what are the breeding techniques and precautions for meat pigeons? Next, I will explain them carefully for everyone.

How to Raise Meat Pigeons

1. Daily feeding management: feed separately by meal, at fixed times and in fixed amounts. Daily feeding frequency: 3~4 times for squabs that have left the nest, 2~3 times for breeding stock pigeons; 75~100 grams for young pigeons. For paired breeding stock pigeons, 90~125 grams; for young and adult pigeons, 80~110 grams, raised in groups according to age in months. Generally, after squabs leave the cage to live independently, they are grouped, at about 7 birds per square meter, with 35~40 pairs as a group being more suitable.

2. Regular disinfection. The feeding trough must be rinsed and disinfected once every 3 days. Nest bowls and free-range ground should be cleaned and disinfected after squabs leave the nest and are sold. Supply water all day and always keep the water fresh and clean. Observe the pigeon flock. Every day you should observe carefully: first, look at their mental state and activity; second, look at their food and water intake; third, look at whether the shape and color of their droppings are normal. If abnormal, isolate and treat them promptly.

3. Regular bathing. According to the season and climate, in summer pigeons should be given a bath once a day, and in winter once every other day. The suitable time for the pigeon flock to bathe is around noon, and half an hour each time is enough.

Meat Pigeon Breeding Techniques and Precautions

I. Breeding Techniques

1. According to practical production experience, under normal circumstances, a pair of breeding stock pigeons lays eggs and hatches 6-8 clutches per year. In the breeding season, the interval between two clutches of eggs is generally 40-45 days, the shortest being 28-30 days and the longest being 50-60 days, and most clutches contain two eggs each time.

2. Its reproduction process is as follows: pairing. When the primary wing feathers of young pigeons (also called weaned young pigeons, referring to grower pigeons raised in groups from 30 days of age until sexual maturity and pairing) have molted to 7-8 feathers, and their age in months reaches 60-180 days.

3. The sexual function of pigeons gradually matures, and male and female pigeons chase and court each other. The male pigeon appears with its head raised and chest out, its neck air sac inflated, and its tail feathers spread out in a fan shape, closely following behind the female pigeon and constantly making “coo coo” calls; the female pigeon gradually approaches the male pigeon, circles around him, nods and coos softly, and finally they kiss each other with their beaks, and soon after they mate.

II. Precautions

Note that environmental conditions not only affect the health of pigeons, but also affect the performance of their production traits. Environmental factors affecting the production performance of pigeons include: temperature, humidity, light, density, noise and dust. Although pigeons have a certain tolerance to various factors, if these exceed their tolerance, their production and health will be affected.

How Much Does a Meat Pigeon Cost

1. Pigeon dealers buy meat pigeons here at 13.5 yuan to 14 yuan each; these are young pigeons over 20 days old and are very hard to keep alive. Those over 30 days old are 15 yuan each.

2. If you want to raise them, it is recommended that you find local breeders and get a few older pigeons to raise, as the survival rate is higher. If they are just starting to breed, they generally will not sell them. You can consider finding breeders who do not plan to continue, as that is both cheaper and more economical. Also, it is best not to take them over when the weather is cold or when the weather and temperature change greatly, otherwise problems are very likely to occur.

3. Buying a pair of meat pigeon breeding stock pigeons costs 40-60 yuan, not necessarily a fixed price. Buying and selling are different, so it is best not to buy breeding stock pigeons from dealers, as the risk is relatively high. When selecting, it is best to choose ones with a body shape that is as round as a ball, relatively heavy body weight, a round waist, a broad back, short legs, a gentle temperament, and that are good at flying high and fond of walking on the ground.

Feed Formula for Meat Pigeons

1. Common plant protein feeds for meat pigeons mainly include peas, broad beans, mung beans and black beans. Energy feeds include carbohydrate feeds such as corn, paddy rice, white rice, millet, sorghum, barley and wheat, as well as fat feeds such as rapeseed, sesame and peanuts.

2. Fat feed is indispensable during the feather-growth period of meat pigeons. Although the amount used is small, it is extremely important for enhancing feather gloss. Commonly used green feeds include cabbage, spinach, carrots and tender green pasture grass. These feeds are rich in chlorophyll, carotene and various vitamins, and are the main source of the various vitamins needed by meat pigeons.

When feeding meat pigeons, be sure to remember that meat pigeons generally only eat plant seeds, such as corn, wheat, paddy rice, mung beans and so on. These seeds are all relatively common and especially convenient to buy. The place where pigeons are raised must be kept clean, because pigeons do not like droppings.