How should squabs be raised to improve their survival rate?

Pigeons have high (economic) value, but there are still many aspects to pay attention to when raising pigeons, especially for fragile squabs, which is no simple task! If not enough attention is paid, it can easily lead to the death of squabs. The physical condition of breeding pigeons has a great impact on squabs; good breeding pigeons will greatly improve the quality and survival rate of squabs, so what are the matters to pay attention to? Let's take a look together below.

1. Prevention of dangers from parent pigeons

Parent pigeons refer to the pigeons that have just bred squabs. If parent pigeons peck and injure or even peck their young to death, most of the causes are human disturbance, such as loud shouting, repeatedly grabbing squabs, food, and other excessive reactions to human factors. There are also a very small number of cases caused by the parent pigeons entering estrus again, and it is found that the squabs need to be moved in time.

2. Suitable pigeon loft environment

Under normal circumstances, the most suitable temperature for pigeon growth is between 25~32°C. Pigeons prefer quiet and fear disturbance, so the pigeon loft should be placed in a relatively quiet place. Because the young are very fragile, after each clutch of squabs hatches, remember to clean and disinfect in time. Common pigeon viruses or diseases include pigeon ornithosis, pigeon pox, canker, etc. In order to reduce the harm of pathogens to squabs, the pigeon loft should maintain long-term cleanliness and ventilation. Squabs have stricter temperature requirements; when the temperature is too high, the pigeon loft needs to be cooled, and when it is too low, the temperature should be adjusted.

3. Choice of feed

Squabs can eat coarse grains after about two weeks, and this is also the period when they grow and develop rapidly, so attention must be paid to nutritional matching and the choice of feed. For squab feed, ordinary feed on the market is generally fine; to save costs or under special circumstances, replacing it with chick feed is also acceptable. With miscellaneous grains as a supplement, various peas, corn, wheat, sorghum, soybeans, etc., can be soaked soft in warm water before being given to squabs, but attention must be paid to the hygiene of the grain. Because squabs are still small and have relatively weak digestive capacity, the proportion of various coarse grains must be controlled; for nutrition and to aid digestion, health sand or ingredients rich in minerals should be added.

4. Prevention of trampling and food grabbing

This is the most noteworthy and also the most frequently occurring situation. Newborn squabs, due to differences in physical condition, are very prone to food grabbing; the weaker side always fails to get food. At this time, they can be separated into different nests according to the acceptance status of the parent pigeons. At the same time, attention should also be paid to the nutritional matching and physical health of the parent pigeons, and feeding 3~5 times a day is best. For large pigeons such as Yuanbao pigeons, the high-incidence period for trampling accidents is two to three days after hatching. In addition to paying attention to placing some soft mats in the pigeon loft, remember to observe more.

The above are several suggestions for improving the survival rate of squabs. Overall, although raising pigeons is delicate work, as long as attention is paid to the two major aspects of food selection and disease prevention and control, there will not be much of a problem. In ordinary times, also pay attention to observing the condition of the pigeon loft more to avoid extremely low-probability accidents.