Guide to pigeon rearing
Pigeon farming is very interesting, profitable and pigeons are very popular domestic birds. Pigeons are considered as the symbol of peace. Almost all types of people who have facilities, love to raise some pigeon in their home. Pigeon farming requires less labour and low investment. Even you can also raise and take care of them during your leisure time. The meat of a chick pigeon (squab) is very tasty, nutritious and restorative. Squabs also have huge demand and price in the market. On the other hand, pigeon farming can be a great source of some extra income and entertainment.
Raising pigeons using modern methods is very profitable than traditional ways. So, to be successful in pigeon farming business, use modern rearing techniques and take good care of your birds. Here we are describing more about the advantages of pigeon farming and steps for starting this lucrative business.
Breeds
There are about 300 pigeon breeds available around the world. Pigeon breeds are of two types which are described below.
Meat productive breeds: White king, Texona, Silver king, Gola, Lokha, etc. Entertaining: Moyurponkhi, Shirazi, Lohore, Fantail, Jacobin, Frillback, Modena, Trumpeter, Trubit, Mukhi, Giribaz, Templar, Lotal etc. Generally, the main purpose of pigeon farming is their meat. The weight of some fleshy squab productive pigeon breeds are described below.
Feeding
Pigeons generally eat wheat, maize, paddy, rice, enamel, legume, triticum aestivus mustard, gram etc. They keep food in front of their house and they will take the food by themselves. You have to serve them balanced feed for proper growth, good health and for proper production. You can also serve them balanced feed, prepared for the chickens. Pigeon feed should contain 15-16% protein. Every pigeon consumes 35-50 grams of grainy feed daily. For fast-growing of baby pigeon and for the nutrition of adults, feed them the oyster shell, limestone, bone powder, salt, greet mixture, mineral mixture etc. with their regular feed. Along with this, feed them some green vegetables daily.
Egg production
Generally, male and female pigeons stay in pairs. During the laying period, they collect straws and make a small nest. Female pigeons start laying eggs when they reach five to six months of age. They lay a pair of eggs after every one month. Both male and female pigeons hatch the eggs one after another. It takes about 17 to 18 days to hatch the eggs. If the artificial nest is needed, make it. As the eggs are very small in size, so squab production is very profitable than consuming the eggs.