What to Do When Pigeons Produce More Infertile Eggs? Cause Analysis and Solutions

Causes of More Infertile Eggs in Pigeons

In pigeon breeding, we call unfertilized eggs infertile eggs. The following factors cause infertile eggs:

1. A small number of individuals, whether male or female, are congenitally infertile, and such pigeons should be culled. When a pigeon is suspected of being infertile, it can be mated successively with 3 different opposite-sex pigeons; if no fertilized eggs are produced from all 3 matings, the pigeon is considered infertile.

2. The hen's reproductive tract is abnormal, so it cannot lay fertilized eggs. Eggs with chalky eggshells are almost 100% infertile or unable to hatch. Some types of health grit can stop pigeons from laying chalky-shelled eggs, but hens with organic defects are generally incurable and should be culled.

3. Abnormal mating. For example, the environment is too crowded, and the presence of single pigeons in the pairing loft will also increase the proportion of infertile eggs.

4. The older the pigeons, the more likely they are to produce infertile eggs. Records should be kept for all breeding pigeons so that, as they age, individuals producing a high proportion of infertile eggs can be identified in time and culled promptly.

5. Young breeding pigeons of many breeds, especially heavy breeds, are prone to producing infertile eggs; generally, the proportion of infertile eggs in the first clutch can reach as high as over 50%.

6. The interval between two clutches is too short. If a pair of pigeons loses the eggs they laid and soon lays another clutch, this later clutch is very likely to be infertile. If the hen rests for 7 to 10 days without laying, she can return to normal.

7. Improper management or an improper daily diet will severely damage the reproductive performance of pigeons. An imbalance of feed and health grit will increase the proportion of infertile eggs.

8. Too much down around the cloaca affects mating. If the down around the cloaca is cut short with scissors, the fertilization rate can be increased.

9. Being too large in build, especially in hens, often leads to infertility. Breeding pigeons should be selected with a moderate body size and normal build.