Pigeon Keeping Requires the Right Methods: Breed Selection and Daily Management Are Key

Pigeon keeping is a traditional agricultural pursuit centered on the domestic pigeon, and by purpose it can roughly be divided into three categories: meat pigeons, racing pigeons and fancy pigeons. Pigeons are highly adaptable and breed relatively quickly, making them suitable both for small-scale backyard keeping and for large-scale operations, and they are one of the more closely watched directions in specialty farming.

Breed selection depends on the purpose of keeping. For meat pigeons, the White King, Silver King and Shiqi pigeon are relatively common; they are characterized by a larger body size and faster growth and are mainly raised to produce squabs. Racing pigeons are valued for their homing ability and flight endurance and are mostly used in racing competitions. Fancy pigeons such as the Fantail and the Pouter have distinctive plumage colors and postures and hold a certain ornamental value.

In terms of daily management, the pigeon loft should be well ventilated, dry and hygienic, striving to be warm in winter and cool in summer with moderate lighting. The feed is mainly grains such as corn, peas, wheat and sorghum, and health grit should also be provided to help the pigeons supplement minerals and aid digestion. Pigeons form fixed pairs, and after pairing they lay eggs and incubate them; the incubation period is about half a month. During brooding, the parent pigeons secrete pigeon milk to feed the young, and the environment should be kept quiet during this stage.

It should be noted that most of the trouble in keeping pigeons centers on disease prevention and control, such as Newcastle disease and trichomoniasis, so routine cleaning and disinfection should be carried out regularly and drinking water should be kept clean. Beginners are advised to start with small-scale trial keeping and gradually expand the scale after becoming familiar with the pigeons' habits, which makes the operation more reliable.