Rules for keeping pigeons: what should be in the dovecote and how to organize the feeding regime

What you need to know about dovecotes

Pigeons can be kept in:

• enclosures;
• nurseries;
• cells.

The type of dovecote depends on the purpose of keeping, the number of birds, their breed, the natural features of the area and the capabilities of the breeder.

The ideal place for breeding pigeons in rural areas is an attic dovecote.

If you plan to keep a small number of pigeons, then hanging nests are suitable. Such a home provides complete freedom for pigeons.

For urban residents, an acceptable option would be to build a poultry house on the ground. For example, a free dovecote, which is mounted on a pole.

It is better to place the dovecote away from tall buildings and trees that interfere with birds taking off and landing. The breeder also runs the risk of leaving pigeons uncontrolled for a long time, since the birds will land on the roof of a high-rise building or the top of a tree. The close proximity to a dovecote can also cause a lot of trouble for owners of balconies in a residential building - pigeons will pollute them. Wires can interfere with the flight of birds and even lead to their death, so you should build a dovecote away from them.

To avoid infections, the dovecote should be placed away from garbage pits and farms.

Pigeons must find their home easily, so the home must have an identifying color and shape.

Suitable materials for construction:

• brick;
• tree;
• metal;
• boards and plywood (for interior cladding).

The room should be equipped with ventilation and electricity, and if necessary, connect an artificial heat source.

Chickens in the country are disturbing the neighbors

You can also buy a dacha and farm for your own pleasure; if you really want to start farming, then it would be best to buy your own house or dacha plot instead of an apartment, and have as many animals as you want, without disturbing anyone.

This is the first opinion, but in fact many neighbors will not like the crowing of a rooster, because people come to their dachas and gardens to relax and sleep in silence. And here your Petka is screaming like a siren.

It’s special if he’s a guy of the Yurlov vocal breed. We need to agree!

Neighbors in the dacha can drink and yell, listen to loud music until 3 am. This is the norm - this is how they rest. But for a live alarm clock at 4 o’clock, this company will tear you to shreds and scatter you around your dacha or garden cooperative.

Look at the photo of a quail in a cage in the kitchen.

In a multi-storey building, of course, you can keep laying hens without a rooster if you really want to, but do you need it? After all, you will have a lot of problems with your neighbors; they will make constant complaints and reproaches. After all, no one likes constant noise and discomfort.

Still, a house with a special place for this is best suited for keeping animals or birds, and then it will be convenient for you and will not cause any discomfort to other people.

Arrangement of enclosures

For walks, sun and water baths, as well as to prevent obesity, pigeons need an aviary. It is installed on the ground, stand and roof or suspended. The more spacious it is, the better - at least 5 m in length and 3 m in width.

The structure must be strong and close tightly. To prevent wild birds, which are carriers of infections, from entering the pen, the front part is fenced with fine-mesh mesh. From the north and east, the pen is covered with plywood or plastic.

It is better to concrete the floor or cover it with cement, this will make it easier to clean and disinfect. Dirt flooring should be replaced annually to avoid contamination from coccidiosis and other soil-borne diseases.

To equip the walking area you will need:

• feeder;
• drinking bowl;
• bath;
• box of greens.

How much feed should you give?

Experienced breeders are able to determine by eye the required amount of bird feed per day. You can determine whether pigeons are full by looking at their crop. If it looks full, it means the bird is well fed. After feeding, it is necessary to remove all feeders from the dovecote. This way, the remaining food in them will not be scattered on the floor.

The diet and number of feedings are adjusted for the arrival of winter. During the cold season, pigeons need food high in fat and vitamins. For elasticity and shine of feathers, it is recommended to feed your pets flax and rapeseed.

How to care for pigeons

The health of pigeons, their behavior and the beauty of their plumage depend on the care of the birds.

It is recommended to clean the dovecote daily. Feeding and drinking equipment should be boiled or doused with boiling water and soda every month.

Thorough cleaning is carried out twice a year. It also involves disinfection, so the pigeons are removed from the premises. After disinfection, whitewash is applied to the walls, the floor is washed and the pen is ventilated for at least an hour. If it is not possible to remove the birds from the dovecote, the room is not disinfected, but whitewashing is done.

Change the litter as necessary. The bathhouse is kept clean and the water in it is kept at room temperature and always fresh, since pigeons drink it during water procedures.

Every day during feeding, the birds themselves are examined. A healthy individual eats well and immediately flies to the food. A pigeon affected by the disease usually draws its head into its shoulders, closes its eyes, lowers its wings and sits ruffled. Such birds must be immediately isolated.

Daily care should include cleaning pigeons' claws of droppings that roll into balls, stick to the birds' feet and interfere with their walking.

So that the pigeons are not afraid of the breeder during feeding and cleaning, they must be tamed. For this purpose, the pigeon breeder is recommended to come to the birds in special clothes and feed them with seeds.

Maintenance and care

Pigeons, especially domestic ones, live in attics or in specially built dovecotes.
Their structure consists of a room with perches on which individuals spend time before nesting. They are installed taking into account the prevention of deformation of the birds' paws. Shelves are fixed on the walls. Nests are built for the mating period of birds. For this purpose, wooden, as well as plaster and plastic containers are used. The room should always be dry, clean and light. Dark and damp dovecotes cause frequent illnesses in pets.

For the full maintenance of domestic pigeons, it is necessary to provide:

1. a room with brick or wooden walls (they help maintain a comfortable temperature and not cause overheating of the chicks;
2. the entrance is equipped in the direction of the south, southeast;
3. Windows are installed (width 10-20 cm) for the departure of birds with a migratory perch;
4. an aviary for walking purebred pigeons is equipped at the main entrance to the premises.

The pigeon is an unpretentious and omnivorous bird. Pets, without a breed, are able to find food on their own. They can be released to search for food. However, purebred birds and birds in the breeding season are necessarily fed with grains of all varieties. It is contraindicated to give rye, oats, and brown rice in large quantities.

Bread products and porridge are given by mixing with grain. The diet should contain:

• finely chopped greens;
• feeding from crushed shells, chalk (to maintain the level of minerals);
• small jackdaw for grinding food in the stomach.

Poultry drink a lot of water, which has special requirements. It must be clean, fresh and of good quality. In this regard, it is through contaminated water that feathered pets become infected.

What microclimate should there be in a dovecote?

Important factors for breeding pigeons are:

• light;
• Fresh air;
• temperature regime.

The poultry house should not be cramped; it must be well ventilated and protected from drafts. It is necessary to ensure that the air in the room is fresh and moderately humid. The sun's rays should freely penetrate the dovecote. It is better if the front side of the building faces south or southeast.

Temperature

In winter, it is necessary to maintain the temperature in the room no lower than 5-7 ⁰С, and in summer no higher than 20 ⁰С. Too high a temperature will have a bad effect on the health of the birds, and will also provoke the appearance of ticks and bedbugs. Pigeons do not tolerate heat well, so it is not recommended to force them to fly in hot weather. To help pigeons cope with the heat more easily, you can water the roof of the dovecote with water.

Hypothermia, which can cause infection, is no less harmful for birds. Overcooled chicks fall into a stupor.

Lighting

For the normal development of the pigeon's body and increasing its productivity, long daylight hours are necessary. Shortened daylight hours, as well as red and orange light, stop the puberty of young animals and accelerate physical development.

Ventilation

Excess carbon dioxide, which is produced during respiration, negatively affects the pigeons' appetite and the health of the birds' bones. Ammonia, which is produced during the decomposition of feces, also has a detrimental effect on the body of birds. Optimal air composition can be achieved through ventilation.

Bird health

In a city apartment, pigeons rarely get sick. Essentially, they are isolated from the world, and unless you introduce the infection yourself, they will live happily ever after. Birds can be infected, for example, through market feed. When buying wheat, barley, millet and other grains, they need to be washed and doused with boiling water.

Pigeons tolerate heat and frost normally. Most of all they are afraid of drafts in the apartment; a slight draft after bathing can lead to a cold. Domestic birds are rarely infected with feather parasites, but if you buy a bird at the market, immediately get a special remedy from a veterinary pharmacy. A couple of drops in the withers area will prevent infection.

The alarm should be sounded if the pigeon's temperature drops, it easily gives in to hands and becomes lethargic. Look at the droppings right away; if poisoned, it will be very liquid and there will be no white streaks in it. Here the first remedy is activated carbon, but in any case you need to show the bird to a veterinarian. The article “About diseases of pigeons and their treatment” will help you independently understand some pathologies.

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How to organize food for pigeons

The basis of food for pigeons in the wild is green grass, seeds and grain. This food is easily digested by birds and is ideal for them, given the characteristics of their gastrointestinal tract. Therefore, it is better if domestic pigeons eat according to the same principle. If the keeping is free, then they provide the bulk of the food for themselves; in other cases, the poultry farmer must organize a balanced diet for his pets.

To organize feeding processes and provide water for pigeons, you will need feeders and drinkers. Devices must be easy to clean and disinfect. To avoid excess debris getting into the food, preference should be given to feeders that only the pigeon’s head can fit through. For mineral feeding you need to have separate feeders. It is preferable to have drinkers made of glass or other non-oxidizing material. The amount of food depends on the breed of pigeons. On average, an adult bird eats 30 grams of feed per day. The number of feedings in summer and winter will be different - in summer three meals are needed, and in winter two are enough.

The composition of the feed should contain:

• Barley – 40%. It can be replaced with pearl barley.
• Millet - 10%.
• 30% - wheat.
• 10% - legumes, seeds, corn, oatmeal.
• 10% - green grass. You can give nettles, alfalfa, cabbage or sorrel.

It is better to sow greens directly in the enclosure. You can also allocate a special box for meadow grasses.

The offspring can obtain the necessary minerals from charcoal, ground eggshells or shells. It is recommended to include table salt in the diet - 20 grams. for 1 l. water. In specialized stores you can purchase vitamin and mineral supplements that will help raise healthy animals, as well as avoid vitamin deficiency and its consequences. If necessary, you can also buy ready-made food for pigeons or parrots.

Feed additives

Mandatory complementary foods include fresh or dried greens. You can grow grass yourself or mow it in places that are not subject to chemical pollution, far from highways and factories.

Natural materials are used as mineral additives:

• ground shells;
• charcoal;
• brick chips;
• old lime;
• coarse river sand;
• dried egg shells.

Pigeons should be fed boiled cereals or vegetables with the obligatory addition of salt. This is a necessary ingredient in a balanced diet for birds, but exceeding the norm is dangerous for their health. The salt concentration is calculated based on 10 g (1 tsp) of product per 500 ml of water. When feeding dry cereals, salt should be added to the drinking bowl regularly. Whole crystals burn the crop of birds, so they feed the food completely dissolved.

Insufficient intake of vitamins or minerals is indicated by lethargy of pigeons, loss of appetite, ruffled or dull feathers, diarrhea

It is especially important to use supplements during breeding, feeding chicks and molting.

What diseases do pigeons have and how to treat them?

To maintain health among livestock, the main criteria are proper care, balanced nutrition and disease prevention in the form of vaccines.

But sometimes even following all the rules does not save you from various kinds of avian diseases, to which pigeons are also susceptible. In this case, it is necessary to react quickly and notice the symptoms of the disease as early as possible.

The table shows the main diseases, their symptoms and what treatment is used for pigeons for a particular disease.

Choosing a construction site

Despite the fact that the site is privately owned, it may turn out that it is unsuitable for arranging a dovecote. There are a number of rules for keeping pigeons in SNT (garden non-profit partnerships):

• The area must be fenced.
• If there are different types of birds in the farmstead, then they need to be provided with separate living quarters. That is, pigeons must be in the dovecote, chickens must be in the chicken coop, and this rule applies to all birds in the yard. The premises must have different openings and exits so that the birds can go out for a walk without intersecting with each other.
• Walking areas for birds of different breeds must be isolated. This is necessary to prevent common avian diseases.

It is also worth taking into account the provisions of the building codes and regulations of the Russian Federation, in particular - SNiP 30-02-97. The document clearly states that there must be at least 4 m between the building for keeping poultry and the neighboring plot. If this rule is not followed, the neighbors may contact the district administration with a complaint about a violation of urban planning standards, and the dovecote will have to be moved.

If there is a catastrophic lack of space to place a dovecote, there is a way out: you can contact your neighbors with a request to sign a written agreement for the construction of the building. And even if there is a change of owner, the agreement with the previous owner remains in force.

How to breed pigeons correctly

Pigeons usually breed in the spring. The pigeon breeder must prepare in advance for this period. Pigeons can find a mate for themselves, but if the breeder monitors the cleanliness of the plumage and other show characteristics, then partners can be selected artificially. Artificial breeding of pigeons is also used for selection.

To distinguish a male from a female, you should first pay attention to the size of the pigeon - males are larger than females. The male can also be recognized by his behavior - he will begin to court the female, enlarging his crop and performing a mating dance.

With artificial fallowing, you can choose the female most suitable for reproducing offspring - these are medium-sized birds. Excessive weight of the hen will interfere with herself and will negatively affect the eggs and offspring, and if she is underweight, it will be difficult to hatch the offspring.

For each pair it is necessary to arrange a nest. A box can be used as a nest; round plaster or wooden nests are also used.

A week after mating, the female will lay an egg, and a day or two later the second will appear. It is recommended to ensure that the hen begins to hatch two eggs together. To do this, before the second egg appears, the first one must be carefully removed to a dark, warm place and replaced with an artificial one. After the chicks are born, the pigeons will throw the shells out of the nest.

Pigeon chicks

The female incubates the chicks from the eggs. Newborn babies are absolutely defenseless; they lack vision, feathers and fluff. The chick weighs only 10 grams. The chick's head is disproportionately large, so it is difficult for him to stand on his weak legs.

The chicks grow quite quickly. After 2 months, when the first moult has passed, only an experienced person can distinguish a young pigeon from an adult. The main signs by which one can understand that a pigeon is still young are clumsy movements, dull color of plumage and the absence of an iridescent border.

The pigeon chick receives nutrition in the form of a liquid similar to milk, which is formed and stored in the female's crop. Both parents are involved in raising children (warming, care, protection), leaving the nest only as needed.

Feeding the chicks

Baby pigeons almost do not need additional food until they are one month old; in most cases they are completely dependent on their parents

From 2 weeks it is important to provide them with water so that they do not suffer from thirst. In order to accustom the offspring of pigeons to pecking, a few small grain crops are added to the diet at 3-4 weeks.

On average, this period is 25 days. At this age, the chicks can already be released into a common enclosure for short walks and flights.

If there is a need to feed the chicks artificially, then there is a need to precisely regulate their diet so that it is complete and provides them with everything they need.

Diet of pigeons 1 week of life

On the first day, a newborn can be fed artificially only 7-8 hours after hatching

By this time it is important to warm them to a temperature of 39 degrees. You can feed:

• chicken yolk, ground to a creamy state and heated to a lukewarm state;
• with a special composition that is intended for chicks of other bird species, it is stirred until it becomes a porridge.

The most preferred food for feeding pigeon chicks is egg yolk. A syringe is used to feed the chick. The head is carefully picked up and the newborn’s beak is opened, food is introduced in portions of a few drops. The first day the number of drops corresponds to the number of hours lived.

In subsequent days, the behavior of the chick will serve as a guide; if it squeaks and looks for food with its beak, then the portion is increased by a few drops. A well-fed baby pigeon stops searching for food and does not cry. The first day the number of feedings, starting from 7 hours of life, can reach 10-15 times, the following days 6-7 times.

Diet of pigeons 2 weeks of life

From the second week of life they begin to add to the yolk:

• millet, barley, millet, peas and other grains suitable for pigeons;
• honey;
• powdered eggshells;
• a small amount of red clay.

All grains are crushed to a powder state and poured with warm boiled water. At the end, honey and shell powder are added, and sometimes clay is added to the tip of a teaspoon.

When fully fed, the crop will be hard to the touch. At the end of 2 weeks, you can add grain softened in water, but not ground.

Diet 3-4 weeks of life

By the third week, the offspring of pigeons fledge and become more independent, so the following is additionally added to the diet:

• water;
• greenery;
• chopped vegetables and fruits (except potatoes, tomatoes and exotic fruits);
• white bread – from 22 days;
• a few drops of fish oil 1-2 times a day.

You can feed the chicks only one type of vegetable or fruit per meal. Mixing is not recommended.

By the end of the 3rd week, the chicks feed about 4 times a day. The drinking bowl with water is filled at least twice a day so that the water does not stagnate. For pecking, place a plate next to the nest and pour some small grain into it. After one month of age, the chicks feed like adult birds.

Using Dove Rings

Among experienced pigeon breeders, pigeon rings are widely used. Banding helps to record such important information about a pigeon as breed and age. If desired, you can put any other information on the pigeon rings - city, nickname and other features.

It will be easy for a breeder to distinguish birds from each other if he issues such “passports” to pigeons.

Pigeon rings are divided into open and closed. The first option cannot give an absolute guarantee that the information indicated on it is correct, since such rings for pigeons can be replaced. They can be used in private households. Closed rings are also called generic rings. They are put on eight-day-old birds and are not removed for the rest of their lives. The pigeon's front toes are threaded into the ring, and the back toe is carefully pulled along the metatarsus.

If a pigeon breeder keeps a stud book, then after banding the information from the ring is entered into it, usually the date of birth, color, and the number of the parents’ ring.

The best breeds for home breeding

Pigeons are divided into types and breeds, which differ from each other in appearance and purpose. Birds can be roughly divided into two broad categories:

• Wild pigeons are accustomed to freedom and painfully endure living at home. Capricious in matters of nutrition and care.
• Homemade. Breeding pigeons of this group is easy, so poultry farmers are happy to keep domestic pigeons.

Domesticated birds are divided into subspecies depending on their purpose.

Meat

In many countries, domestic pigeon meat is in demand and is considered a valuable nutritious product and delicacy. There are special breeds of birds intended for meat production:

• Modena English. Representatives of the breed reach a weight of 900 g, are distinguished by short feathers and a tail, so they fly poorly.
• Roman giant - weight reaches 1 kg, hardy and resistant to disease.
• King. Like Roman pigeons, King pigeons weigh up to 1 kg and have good health.
• Carnots are plump birds with dark plumage that do not possess the skills of long flight.
• Strasser is a breed bred in Austria, the male weighs up to 1 kg.
• Texan is a popular variety in the USA. Live weight is 700–900 g, the bird is characterized by good fertility.

King

Carnot
When starting to breed pigeon breeds for meat or for other purposes, it is important to follow the rules and feeding regime for the animals under your care.

Sports

Sports breeds were previously called postal breeds, but due to the fact that pigeon mail has lost its relevance, they were renamed sports breeds. Representatives of these breeds participate in speed competitions.

Popular sports varieties include the following:

• English quarry. Representatives are characterized by a wide chest, an elongated beak and an upright stance. The eyes of pigeons are protected from the wind by folds of skin.
• Russian postal birds are graceful doves with a rounded beak and sweeping wings. Color varies from light to dark.
• Belgian postman. Birds are distinguished by their maneuverability and high speed.

Representatives of sporting breeds are purchased at the age of 1 month, so that the wards get used to the owner and the new home. After 3–4 years of hard training, the birds are ready for competition.

Russian postal

Belgian postal

English quarry

Flight

Representatives of flying breeds differ from sports breeds in that they have an individual flying style. These domestic pigeons are kept for beautiful flights, as the birds not only fly, but also perform tricks in the air. Popular pedigrees:

• Thurman Berlin. Representatives are characterized by a short beak, small size and mischievous disposition. The color is varied: light, dark, variegated.
• Cross monk. These pigeons fly at low altitudes and are famous for attracting other birds.
• Nikolaevsky. Representatives of the breed fly at high altitudes and have long, strong wings.

It should be noted that keeping domestic flying pigeons involves constant flight of birds - the birds must fly every day.

Thurman Berlin

Nikolaev pigeon

Cross Monk

Decorative

Decorative domestic pigeons are kept solely for aesthetics or for profit. Representatives of these pedigrees are distinguished by their attractive appearance: unusual plumage or colors. The following breeds are popular:

• Barb. The color of representatives of the species can be different, but always monochromatic. Pigeons are characterized by leathery growths around the eyes.
• Curly-haired dove - stands out from its peers with wavy feathers on its wings and body.
• Brno blower. The peculiarity of the representatives of the pedigree is their large goiter, which immediately catches the eye. The physique is fit, the tail is short.
• Peacock dove. The breed got its name because of its bushy, high tail, similar to a peacock's.
• Saxon priest. The birds have a crest on their heads, and their legs are decorated with feathers. There is a milky mark on the forehead.

Barb

peacock pigeon

curly pigeon

Optimal number of pairs

In the first place, of course, is the price. You can take one pair and create ideal conditions for it to live and develop, but after the flock, singles and even couples will be bored in the dovecote. They will begin to eat poorly, and when flying out they may fly away, carried away by another flock.

It would be reasonable to buy at least three pairs from different nests. This will allow you to breed your breed within two to three years, crossing and culling unrelated offspring from the purchased bird.