How to breed peacock pigeons - the secrets of professionals
An unusual bird with a magnificent tail will become the highlight of any poultry house. However, before buying, it is worth preparing and learning how to breed peacock pigeons at home. This elegant breed looks spectacular in photo shoots and weddings. If you know the secrets of breeding, a small home pigeon house can turn into a profitable business.
How to choose a bird for breeding
In order for individuals to look advantageous and give healthy offspring, it is important to follow the rules when buying them:
- avoid lethargic birds that do not respond to sounds, tapping on the cage;
- choosing pigeons with clean feathers is a must sign of health;
- do not spare funds for buying poultry from the nursery with documents.
There are two ways to select a pair of pigeons for breeding. The first is homogeneous, in which a male and a female with the same qualities are selected. Their offspring will inherit them, repeat the color of the feathers and other features. The second method is heterogeneous. The pair is different in appearance, but combines a set of characteristics that will combine well in future chicks.
According to the standard, the tail of a peacock pigeon should have 30 feathers. There may be more of them, but the number should not exceed 35 pieces.
Home improvement
Before breeding peacock pigeons and buying birds, you should equip a room for keeping them. The aviary can be placed outdoors or indoors. To do this, it is enough to install the posts and cover them with a wire mesh. The roof can be constructed from slate, which can be easily removed to let the pigeons fly.
The larger the enclosure, the larger the birds will grow. Outdoor facilities are sufficient if the temperature in winter does not drop below -5 degrees. In other cases, pigeons will need a warm room for wintering. Both housing options for pigeons can be placed on the ground - this breed does not need a hill.
Care and feeding
If the house is mixed, the peacock pigeons are housed in a separate cage. They are less resistant to diseases and parasites, so they are not combined with other pigeons. Caring for this breed includes complete feeding, which will differ at different times of the year, as well as regular cleaning and cleaning of the enclosure.
It is better if the male and female are in the same enclosure. For beginners, it is enough to purchase one pair, and then expand poultry house.
Aviary processing
One of the main conditions for breeding peacock pigeons is timely cleaning and disinfection of the poultry house. The nesting period begins early, therefore, in late February or early spring, the premises should be treated for infection and parasites. For preventive treatments, ordinary whiteness or slaked lime is suitable.
In case of disease outbreaks, specific disinfectants are used:
- smallpox - chlorcresol, but lime is also effective;
- toxoplasmosis - formalin;
- paratyphoid - xylonaft, lime and formalin are also suitable.
When settling pigeons in a new house, it is enough to treat all surfaces. If birds have already been kept in the room, all contamination must be removed before using the chemicals.
Pigeons for the processing period are moved to another aviary or released for a walk. They can be returned only after airing the disinfected poultry house.
Feeding rules
The diet for peacock pigeons is selected taking into account their nutritional needs at different times of the year.
Adequate feeding will strengthen the immunity of birds, increase their productivity and resistance to diseases, as well as get healthy and viable offspring:
- Winter diet - suitable for pigeons from the beginning of winter to mid-February. It is high in calories and low in protein. The best option is a combination of oats and wheat in a ratio of 60.
- In preparation for nesting and mating, up to 20% protein feed is introduced, as well as flax and sunflower seeds. This feeding option is not relevant for long, from mid-February to early March.
- The breeding diet is introduced from the beginning of spring. It is the richest and most nutritious, combines various grains and oilseeds, vitamin supplements. Vitamin E and feed yeast are helpful.
- The ration for the rutting season - introduced from April and is suitable only for those pigeons that are trained and carry physical activity. High-carbohydrate components, including legumes, are added to the feed.
- In August and September, feeding is aimed at stimulating molt. During this period, the bird needs an increased amount of protein, it is also useful to feed fish oil.
Pigeons are fed three times a day during the warmer months and twice a day in winter. The food is distributed in such quantity that the birds eat it completely. After eating, the goiter should be full but soft.
Peacock pigeons are very productive. During the season from one pair, you can get offspring from 4 to 5 times (up to 10 chicks).
Nesting and breeding of pigeons
The nesting period of the peacock pigeon begins in mid-February. By this time, the premises should be ready and disinfected.
Despite the fact that the breed is fertile, it easily brings offspring and cares for chicks, participation in this process is necessary:
- Preparing the steaming boxes is the first step. They can be made independently, keeping the size of the long wall at least 70 cm. The boxes are placed at a great distance from each other, so that in the future the birds can easily find nests.
- For mating, the birds are left overnight in a box. It is possible to understand that the couple took place if the pigeons subsequently stick together. This means that you can put a nest in the steam box and expect offspring.
- A few days after mating, the female will lay eggs. She incubates them for 16-19 days, and during this period it is better not to disturb the bird. Already after 12-14 days, embryos are clearly visible on the ovoscope.
Once the offspring are hatched, the females usually take good care of them. There are often two eggs in a clutch, but young birds can lay one at a time. The female feeds the chicks every 2.5–3 hours with goiter milk. If they do not have enough food, it is necessary to artificially feed them. For this, infant formula or grated boiled yolk with the addition of milk is suitable. From a month old, young animals can be offered grain feed.
There are peacock pigeons of the American type, Hungarian and Russian on sale. It is also possible to choose a white, gray or variegated pair. However, following simple rules will help to successfully breed the breed, regardless of colors and features.