Detailed Explanation of White King Pigeon Breeding Methods and Technical Key Points

The White King Pigeon, scientific name Columba, class Aves, family Columbidae, is regarded as a nourishing delicacy because of its rich nutrition and medicinal value. Pigeon meat is neutral in nature, salty in taste and non-toxic, rich in protein and fat; pigeon eggs contain protein, fat, carbohydrates, calcium, phosphorus, iron and so on. Regular consumption of pigeon meat nourishes the kidneys and boosts qi, dispels wind and removes toxins, and can treat chronic malaria; eating pigeon eggs can prevent measles.
There are quite a few breeds of meat pigeons, mainly the White King Pigeon, the French Mondain, the Homer, the Shiqi Pigeon and so on; currently the White King Pigeon is the main one being promoted. The White King Pigeon has the characteristics of strong reproductive capacity, large body size, fast growth and tender meat. Breeding results show that the White King Pigeon is hardy, easy to raise and has a high survival rate; with a good feed formula, it can produce more than 8 clutches per year. Reserve breeding pigeons at 6-7 months of age can be paired to lay eggs, and squabs at 18-20 days can reach a weight of 1-1.2 jin.
I. Feeding and Management Techniques for Squabs
Nestlings from hatching to leaving the nest for sale or before breeding are called squabs. During this period, the squabs are all fed by the parent pigeons (breeding pigeons). According to observation, within 7 days of hatching the parent pigeons feed the squabs with whole milk (called pigeon milk, from thin to thick); after 7 days they are fed a mixture of milk and feed, and gradually fed whole grain feed. If the parent pigeons are healthy and good at feeding, the squabs grow very fast; generally by 18-20 days they can reach a weight of 1-1.2 jin, at which point they can be sold. If they meet the selection requirements, they are raised for another 10-15 days, and when the squabs' feathers are full and they can feed themselves, they can leave the nest for breeding and live in a group.
II. Feeding and Management Techniques for Young Pigeons
Squabs selected as breeding stock, from leaving the nest until they reach sexual maturity and are paired, are called young pigeons. The purpose of raising young pigeons is to obtain a good reserve breeding flock, in preparation for expanding production and for replenishing and renewing the breeding flock at any time.
Feed for young pigeons that is in larger grains (such as broad beans, corn, etc.) is best first ground into small particles, then soaked in clean water, dried and only then fed. Appropriate amounts of salt or compound vitamin B1 can be added to the drinking water.
Young pigeons begin molting at around 50 days, and at this time they are relatively sensitive to the effects of the external environment and are prone to catching colds, which can cause colds and bronchitis, so cold protection and warmth measures must be done well.
When young pigeons reach 3 months of age, their activity capacity and adaptability become stronger and stronger, and they gradually enter a stable growth period; at this time the first deworming and selection of the best while culling the inferior can be carried out for the flock.
When young pigeons reach 6-7 months of age, they have entered the mature period and can be paired and put into production. Before pairing, another round of selection of the best and culling of the inferior as well as deworming must be carried out. Pigeons are birds that live in "monogamous" pairs; adult pigeons are selective about their mates and remain devoted after pairing, unlike chickens or other poultry that mate indiscriminately and promiscuously.
III. Feeding and Management Techniques for Production Pigeons
Pigeons that have been paired and put into production are called production pigeons, commonly known as laying pigeons.
1. Feeding and management techniques during the newly paired period: For newly paired production pigeons raised in cages, inspections should be made several times a day during the first few days of pairing to observe whether they get along well. If the pairing is appropriate, generally after 2-3 days a pair of pigeons will get along harmoniously; if after 4-5 days of pairing they still do not get along and often fight, it indicates that this pair is not suitably matched, or that both are male pigeons, or that although one is male and one is female they are unwilling to pair, and at this time they should be re-paired promptly.
2. Feeding and management techniques during the egg incubation period: Newly paired production pigeons begin to lay eggs after they get along with each other, become familiar with their own cage and settle down in life, so nest bowls with nesting grass should be placed for the production pigeons early, and egg-laying records should be kept well.
3. Feeding and management techniques during the brooding period: Under normal circumstances, 2 hours after the squabs hatch, the parent pigeons will mouth-to-mouth pass air to the squabs to help them adapt to being fed pigeon milk; after another 2 hours, the parent pigeons feed the squabs very thin pigeon milk. At this stage, attention should be paid to observing whether the parent pigeons feed the squabs; if it is found that the parent pigeons do not feed the squabs, careful distinction should be made as to whether the parent pigeons are ill or whether artificial measures should be taken to train the parent pigeons to feed the squabs.
IV. Feed Formulation and Health Grit Formula
1. Feed formulation: When formulating feed, diversification should be achieved as much as possible and excessive monotony avoided, because a combination of multiple feeds plays a role in complementing each other nutritionally, which helps improve the vitality or reproductive capacity of the pigeons. During the brooding period, breeding pigeons should adopt the following daily ration formula: (for reference) corn 40%, wheat 30%, peas (mung beans) 20%, brown rice 10%.
2. Health grit formula: Supplying sufficient health grit is very important for raising pigeons well, especially caged pigeons. During the brooding period, breeding pigeons should adopt the following formula: (for reference) methionine 0.3%, lysine 0.6%, Andrographis paniculata 0.5%, gentian 0.6%; iron powder 0.5%, alum 1%, multivitamins 1%, trace elements 1%; charcoal powder 4%, salt 4%, aged gypsum 6%, bone meal 10%; yellow mud 10%, shell powder 25%, medium-coarse sand 35%.