How to Raise Meat Pigeons? Detailed Explanation of Breeding Methods and Technical Points

Meat pigeons are an ideal food that is high in protein and low in fat, and can regulate the heart, nourish the blood, and replenish qi. Market demand is very large, so more and more people are raising meat pigeons. So, how do you raise meat pigeons?

1. Building a pigeon farm

You can renovate an old building or build a new pigeon farm. If it is newly built, it is best to use a brick-and-wood structure or an earth-and-wood structure. Pigeon farms are generally mostly single-row bungalows, and the floor should be raised 30—40 cm; large red bricks or lime-sand soil are best. Inside the pigeon house, pigeon cages and pigeon equipment should be prepared. Front and rear windows should be opened in the front and rear walls of the pigeon house. A exercise area should be set up on the sunny side of the pigeon house and enclosed with netting.

2. Selecting breeding pigeons

Choose those with large individual weight, strong physique, bright eyes, clear iris, glossy feathers, no deformities in wings and feet, a straight and undistorted keel, a broad and well-developed chest, thick and strong legs, high egg production, good hatchability, good lactation performance, strong brooding ability, and strong disease resistance as breeding pigeons.

3. Feed and feeding

Meat pigeon feed is required to be free of mold and toxins, and should be given in fixed quality and quantity. If they are young pigeons, feed them 3 to 4 times a day; if they are laying pigeons, feed them 2 to 3 times a day. The feed should mainly consist of grains and seeds, such as rice, corn, wheat, sorghum, peas, mung beans, etc. They should also take in an appropriate amount of salt every day, and sufficient drinking water and fresh, clean green vegetables should be prepared.

4. Daily management

Every day, pay attention to the hygiene of the cages and the food and drinking utensils, and wash and disinfect them on time. Give the pigeons a water bath 2 to 3 times a month, choosing warm sunny noons. Add a 0.1% potassium permanganate solution to the bath water, which can make the pigeons both clean and hygienic and full of vitality. In each season, increase or decrease the bedding for the pigeons according to temperature changes to ensure the pigeons' abdomens are kept warm and not chilled.

5. Pairing and breeding

(1) Pairing: Pigeons begin sexual maturity at 5 to 7 months of age. Young pigeons can be raised together and allowed to pair freely, or they can be regularly placed in cages by humans according to the male pigeon's breed, feather color, and body weight. After 2 to 3 days, put the female pigeon into the cage for pairing, and pairing is generally successful in 2 to 3 days.

(2) Laying eggs: After pigeons pair, the female pigeon generally begins laying eggs in 10 to 15 days. Clean, short rice straw, pine needles, etc. should be placed on the egg nest. Generally, two eggs are laid continuously per clutch; generally 7 clutches can be bred in 1 year, and those with high offspring production can hatch 9 to 10 clutches, with a maximum of 11 clutches.

(3) Incubation: Incubation begins after egg laying, and the incubation period is 18 days. Male and female pigeons take turns incubating the eggs. During incubation, prevent wind and rain from entering, and also take care that the breeding eggs do not leave the parent pigeons' abdominal feathers. At 4 to 5 days and 12 days of incubation, candle the eggs once each time, and promptly remove infertile eggs, dead embryo eggs, and broken eggs.