What are the winter feeding and management measures for meat pigeons?

I. Cold prevention and warmth keeping

First, cracks and holes in the walls of the pigeon house must be plugged so that the meat pigeons are not attacked by cold wind. Second, seal the front and rear windows tightly with plastic film, and at night hang burlap curtains outside the windows and windproof curtains on the doors to raise the temperature inside the house. Third, the temperature of the pigeon house must be maintained during severe winter. Usually, when the temperature of the pigeon house is above 5°C, breeding pigeons can lay eggs, incubate and brood squabs as usual; if the temperature is below 3°C, heating facilities should be added.

II. Raising the nutritional level

In winter the temperature is low, so the energy contained in the feed should be somewhat higher than in other seasons. Feed types should be diversified and nutrition should be comprehensive. Generally, each kilogram of daily ration for breeding pigeons should contain 11.7-13.4 megajoules of metabolizable energy and 15%-17% crude protein. Feed formula: corn 45%, soybean meal 25%, pelleted feed, sorghum and miscellaneous beans 10% each; add 10-15 grams of poultry multivitamin per 50 kilograms of feed; feed 2-3 times a day, and let the meat pigeons drink water freely after feeding. At the same time, be sure to supply enough mineral feed. Formula: loess 30%, fine sand 25%, shell powder 30%, bone meal, slaked lime and salt 5% each; let the meat pigeons feed freely.

III. Strengthening management

Clean the pigeon house in time, and remove droppings and fallen feathers from the pigeon cages. Often wash the nest pans to prevent squabs from eating feed contaminated with droppings and becoming ill. According to the weather conditions, open doors and windows for ventilation to keep the air inside the house fresh.

IV. Disease prevention

The pigeon house and feeding and drinking utensils should be regularly disinfected with 5% Lysol, 3% potassium permanganate solution or Baidusha (use according to the instructions). In winter the temperature difference between day and night is large, and pigeons are prone to colds; pay attention to observation, and sick pigeons found should be kept in isolation and treated promptly. Dong Xiuxiu