The breeding of pigeons: the breedings

Goodbye November, welcome December

Now that November has passed our pigeons have just been paired and this gives us some time to explain our method.

All our breeding pigeons and old widowers were put together around 27 November. Breeding pigeons have given usable pigeons in recent years and they have improved the quality of the loft. Old racing pigeons are bred because they have performed well and it is expected that the young can also be an added value. Yearlings are used for winter breeding.

Yearlings usually do not make it into the breeding program, although exceptions can be made for yearlings who have achieved exceptional performances in the previous year. But normally the yearlings must first earn their stripes before they are used in the breeding program.

Prepare your pigeons for breeding

Three weeks before pairing, we use artificial light in the cocks loft. We do this so that the drift (potential) is stimulated by the cocks.

The pigeons are enlightened from 6:00 AM to 9:00 AM and 4:30 PM to 9:00 PM. This is done through an automatic dimming system.

Ten days before the pairing the hens receive wheat germ oil. This stimulates them and helps them achieve a more equal lay.

“Many studies with wheat germ oil have shown that there has been a demonstrable improvement in reproductive capacity in humans and animals. The oil can have a positive effect on our pigeons with a healthy reproduction. If the sex glands do not function properly, the tocopheral (vit. E) in the oil can again have an activating effect on the sexual organs. ” Source: http://duifvitaal.nl/vitaalolie-/

The first eggs

About 10 to 14 days later the first eggs will be laid. The couple breeds on them an average of 17 days.

Tip: The eggs of the better couples are removed immediately when the second egg is laid and placed under feeding couples. So that the top couples will have another pair of eggs after about 10 days. With this method you can breed four early youngsters from your best couples.

During the breeding season, a switch is made to a lighter food mix with more barley.

During the entire coupling period, fresh grid mix is placed in the lofts every day. Hens benefit enormously from this for the production of lime for the eggs.

In the following article we discuss the birth and growing up of the youngsters. Until then!