How long do pigeons hatch eggs and how does egg laying occur?

Home » Articles about pigeons » How, when and where do pigeons lay eggs and hatch chicks?

City residents can only find out what pigeon eggs look like from a photo. Few people get to see the nests of sisars and their chicks in person. These birds find secluded places to breed. During the mating season, they usually settle down under the roofs of abandoned buildings, theaters, and attics, where they cannot be seen. That's why many people don't know when, how and where pigeons lay eggs and hatch their chicks.

Hatching process

The developed parental instinct of a couple is what distinguishes pigeons from some species of birds.
The eggs are mainly incubated by the female. However, the male can replace her for a while when she flies away from the nest for food. When the dove is absent for a long time, the male begins to make loud sounds. The incubation process lasts a little more than 2 weeks

When breeding pigeons at home, it is important for the poultry farmer to provide them with all the conditions for comfortable nest building. For such purposes they use dry branches and grass residues.

Such birds are prone to active reproduction. They can hatch up to 7-8 clutches per year in any season. However, the optimal time for mating is spring and summer.

Because it is important that the young animals become stronger before the onset of frost.

Why don't turkeys lay eggs?

Those farmers who have already dealt with keeping turkeys know firsthand about their capriciousness and tenderness. To achieve maximum egg production of a bird, it is necessary to create special conditions for it, provide high-quality care and nutrition.

If a turkey has a low level of egg production or it disappears altogether, there may be several reasons:

You should not wait for egg-laying during molting - this is a period when all the body’s forces go to renewing feathers, but there is not enough for laying eggs. If after the end of this period egg production is restored, then everything is fine with the bird.
A small number of eggs may be observed due to insufficient lighting in the house. It is recommended to set the daylight hours to at least 10 hours. To do this, the house must have at least one window + additional lighting, preferably fluorescent lamps. The best egg production is observed with 12–14 hour daylight hours.
It may be too cold in the poultry house. In order for the bird to feel comfortable, the temperature in the place where the nests are located must be at least +10 degrees.
Dampness also has a bad effect on egg production. You should check the condition of the poultry house, the presence of drafts in it, the condition of the litter, and the ventilation. The ventilation system must be of high quality in order to remove excess moisture in a timely manner.
Perhaps the birds do not like the location of the nests - they should be located in a secluded place where the hen can retire and no one will disturb her. If the area is constantly noisy, it can frighten the turkey and prevent it from laying eggs. One nest should be for 5–6 laying hens.
If the birds have already begun to lay eggs, then there is no point in moving the nests to another place. This can also disrupt normal egg production.
Another reason is a lack of vitamins and minerals. In this case, you should review the birds’ diet and make it balanced, with the recommended vitamin and mineral composition, or introduce special supplements.
Diseases are also associated with a drop in egg production. If the laying hen suddenly begins to sit in the nest much less often, check her health and watch her for a while. If there are suspicious signs such as lethargy, decreased activity, deterioration in the appearance of feathers, or depression, consult a veterinarian.
It is necessary to try to ensure that laying hens are exposed to stress as little as possible. Nervous shocks have a detrimental effect on the number of eggs laid.
The poultry house should not be crowded. It should be checked whether the stocking density of turkeys in the room corresponds to the recommended norm of 3.6 birds weighing 8 kg per 1 square meter. m and 5 individuals weighing 6 kg per 1 sq. m.

Thus, if you learn how to properly raise turkeys, this activity can turn into a fairly profitable business. Their meat is valued for its low calorie content, hypoallergenicity and excellent taste. Eggs are a healthy and expensive delicacy. When do turkeys start laying eggs at home? This is a question many farmers ask. The onset of egg production in birds depends on genetic characteristics, weight category, season, and lighting. After the turkey begins to hatch chicks, it stops laying eggs. Only some industrial breeds are capable of producing eggs all year round, subject to certain feeding and maintenance rules.

Turkeys begin laying eggs in the spring, in March. Here are the main signs that a turkey will soon start laying eggs:

The air temperature in the poultry house and outside rises above five degrees and remains at this level for several days.
The turkey looks for a secluded corner and pulls down fluff, leaves, and twigs there.
In the morning, the female does not go out for a walk; she may “get lost” in the house.

In the first days, birds lay one egg every three to four days. After about three weeks, they lay eggs daily or every other day. If the birds begin to moult, it means they will not lay eggs. The highest egg production of turkeys at home is observed during the first year of life. In the second year, the bird lays eggs 40% less, and a year later – by 60%. Therefore, a turkey does not live in households for more than three years; at this age it is sent for slaughter.

What do pigeon eggs look like?

Pigeon eggs are initially white with a shine. Size ranges from 35×25 mm to 45×32 mm

It is important to know what bird eggs look like in order to distinguish a fertilized egg from an unfertilized one.

To check an egg for the presence of an embryo, you need to carefully lift it against the light - the sun or a lamp

The shell is very fragile, so when checking you need to be very careful, otherwise you can crush the embryo. If a chick embryo has appeared in the egg, a black spot with diverging reddish veins will be visible in the light.

An unfertilized egg will be transparent. If this is found in the nest, it is better to replace it with an artificial one.

A week after hatching, the cover of the egg turns pale and a matte coating appears. Closer to the birth of the chicks, the eggs become gray.

In what month do chicks fly out of the nest?

It’s not for nothing that June is called the month of chicks. Most of our birds breed at this time. Perhaps the raven chicks are the first to leave their nest.

Interesting materials:

What is the commission in Yumoney? What leather is best for boots? Which lamp is safer: UV or ice? Which metro line is the deepest? What is the maximum permissible temperature of a propane butane cylinder? What is the maximum power in Valhalla? Which minibus goes to Novokosino? What car doesn't break down? What kind of car does the goblin have? What kind of mathematics is needed to become an economist?

Method of breeding pigeons and laying eggs

Like any birds, pigeons lay eggs and then hatch them. In this way, the bird population increases

For productive offspring it is important to provide them with the following conditions:

nest construction site;
nutrition;
choice of partner.

In order to obtain normal offspring, it is important to follow the rules of bird breeding. In the wild, pigeons cope with a similar process without human help, but domestic birds are not able to do this

Pigeons during mating season

Preparing birds for breeding

For successful breeding, it is important to separate some females from the flock 60 days before mating. This time will be enough for them to get stronger, rest and prepare for hatching eggs.

Depending on the climatic conditions of the region, with the onset of the first thaw, the dovecote should be thoroughly cleaned and disinfected. When this process is carried out, the entire flock is released.

Arrangement of nests is an important stage in the process of breeding pigeons. It is advisable to place them at a distance from each other. This will eliminate conflicts between pairs of birds. If there is no large area, you can place the boxes in several tiers, maintaining a distance between them. For convenience, the nests can be numbered and marked with paint. It will no longer be possible to rearrange them before the end of the season.

If it is not possible to display boxes, then nests are built in racks. However, it will be necessary to provide partitions between them.

Pair selection technique

Pairing is another important stage in the mating of birds. First you need to distinguish pigeons by gender. During the mating season, the male ruffles his feathers and walks in a circle.

Nests for domestic pigeons

The behavior of the female also changes. She moves more smoothly, as if worshiping. Conflicts can sometimes occur between birds. This happens especially often if the female has not accepted the male. Sometimes poultry farmers make mistakes, resulting in birds of the same sex in the cage.

Therefore, it is important to distinguish pigeons as accurately as possible by their characteristic features.

Temperament is of great importance for birds. An active male is recommended to choose an energetic female. Accordingly, a calm male needs a quiet female.

How to distinguish a dove from a dove?

Pair selection technique

To mate pigeons, it is necessary to make pairs. To do this, you need to determine the sex of the bird.

The male, as a rule, is larger than the female, he has a large head with a powerful beak. During courtship, he spreads his tail feathers, makes circular movements and coos.

The female behaves completely differently. Her gait becomes as if floating, she makes characteristic bows, and when “kissing” the female’s beak ends up inside the male’s beak.

Fighting is not a clear sign, since “sharing” can occur both between males and females. If the female does not accept the male, then a fight is also possible between them.

Errors are common. There can be either two females or two males in a cage. When selecting pairs, special attention is required.

When selecting pairs, you must take into account the temperament of the birds. An energetic “groom” would like a temperamental “bride,” while a calmer one would need a quiet companion.

How to choose pigeons for intercourse?

Age. Tame pigeons live up to 20 years, but pigeons reproduce at the age of 8-10 years. Birds that are over ten years old cannot always bear healthy chicks. Such offspring have a weak immune system and are susceptible to various diseases.
How to understand the age of a bird? Take a closer look at the thick strip of skin at the base of the beak. The older the bird, the thicker and wider the stripe. In young chicks the stripe is pink, but over time it turns white. The paws of babies have delicate skin, while the paws of an adult bird have rough and rough skin. As you age, your skin color will turn bright red. Another factor in determining the age of a pigeon is the eyelid. Young birds have clear eyelids, almost transparent, but after a year the eyelids become white and rough.
By following all the above recommendations, you will accurately determine the age of the pigeon, you will know that this is a pigeon that has not reached sexual maturity, or an elderly bird over 13 years old. In other situations, it is possible to determine from external signs how old a pigeon is: two years old or 8 years old, on an intuitive level. Despite the fact that at six months the bird already reaches puberty, experienced breeders recommend choosing older birds for crossing. Young females are not always able to hatch and feed the chicks. As soon as birds turn 1-2 years old, their body is already fully formed and ready for reproduction and bearing chicks. Moreover, young doves lay 1 egg, and the probability of hatching a chick rarely exceeds 80%, while an experienced female carries up to two eggs, and healthy chicks are born. Sometimes the laying process occurs with complications, especially if it is an old or immature bird. Therefore, when preparing for mating, it is necessary to release birds into fresh air more often and monitor their physical activity and nutrition. Add vitamins and mineral complexes to the food.
Size. The role of mothers is excellently played by females of medium build. Miniature or overly fat birds often face problems with laying and hatching. If you want to get healthy offspring, then birds should mate from 1-2 years old and not older than 10 years. A dove and a dove should have a similar temperament, which makes it easier to establish contact and create a marriage.

About

General characteristics of the class

The progressive features of the organization include the following features.

High level of development of the nervous system and therefore a wide variety of options
Constant high body temperature, which is caused by intense metabolism.
Compared to lower subtypes and classes of animals, birds have a more advanced reproduction mechanism, which is expressed in incubating eggs and feeding offspring.
The presence of adaptive organs for flight and at the same time the ability to move on the surface of land, and in some species - the ability to swim and move along the water surface.

The above features of the class allowed these animals to spread throughout the globe.

Features of reproduction

Mating of pigeons can be carried out in two ways - forced and natural. The first involves human intervention and assistance. If conception has already occurred, a pair of doves sits huddled together. At the same time, courtship on the part of both the male and the female can still continue.

Natural mating occurs exclusively among birds that live in nature. This is an absolutely natural process that occurs in many living beings. The lovebirds who like each other begin the mating process, which can take several days.

The forced method of reproduction involves breeding only young purebred birds. The breeder must independently select a pair and transplant it into a separate cage. This is necessary so that the female gives birth to purebred birds with healthy organs, as well as an appearance that meets the standards.

If there is only one breed in the dovecote, then there is no need to form pairs yourself. Pigeons will choose their own partners.

The appearance of chicks

A parrot egg weighs approximately 2.5 grams, and a newborn chick weighs even less - 2 grams. They hatch with the help of an egg crop, which is a seal on the beak. Having broken through the shell, the chicks find themselves outside, where they are completely helpless. They don't actually move, are blind and have no feathers. New parents feed them with semi-digested food, which is called goiter milk.

Adult parrots continue feeding the chicks for 2 months, then the babies become completely independent birds and begin to fly out of the nest.

It is important not to miss this moment - they are removed and the nest is removed. It is worth considering that a female weakened by breeding needs rest and peace.

Hatching process

The female begins to incubate eggs after the entire expected number of eggs have hatched.

Temperature

The incubation temperature ranges from 36.1 degrees to 40.7. There is a difference between heating the upper part of the egg (where the female sits) and the lower part (which is at the bottom of the nest). It is 4-5 degrees.

How long does the hatching process take?

Hatching times are ambiguous, as they are influenced by various factors. On average, the period lasts from 8 to 19 days. During this time, the dove turns her eggs several times.

What determines the duration of incubation:

First of all, from the breed. For example, rock pigeons hatch later than others, while for some other breeds 8 days are enough.
Temperature regime - the warmer the conditions, the earlier the chicks are born.

It also happens that the pigeons do not hatch at all, as the embryos die. In this case, the female sits on the nest for too long. There are many reasons for this:

genetic predisposition;
crossing of relatives;
pigeon infection;
nest contamination;
excessive vibration of the nesting habitat;
improper diet of the mother dove (deficiency of minerals and vitamins);
high humidity.

Who hatches the eggs?

The dove does the incubation, but since pigeons are caring birds, the male also takes an active part in this process. About a couple of times a day he replaces the female so that she can feed. He does this during the daytime. If the expectant mother cannot return to the nest in a timely manner, then the father begins to panic, emitting loud screams.

Watch an interesting video of the entire process of hatching a clutch by a pigeon pair:

If you decide to start a pigeon coop to breed these wonderful birds, be sure to study the information about the features of mating, laying and incubating eggs. Do not forget that for each breed there are certain criteria and growing rules that must be strictly adhered to.

Where are the little pigeons hiding from us?

A city dweller may be perplexed about the increase in the number of pigeons. After all, on the street he sees only adult birds.

This is partly due to the peculiarities of nesting: as a rule, pigeons build homes in places reminiscent of rocks and caves. In cities, nests are built under window sills, under bridges, on roofs.

Another reason is that pigeons do not leave the nest for 4-6 weeks after birth. They join the pack when they are already grown up.

Incubation process

A few days before the start of incubation, the female actively increases the temperature in the nest and often sits in it and walks around with her tail fluffed. 7–9 days after mating with the male, the dove hatches its first egg. This often happens after noon. Until the second egg is laid, the female will not warm the first one. The second egg should appear after 40–44 hours.

From 4 pm to 10 am the next day, the female incubates the eggs, maintaining the required temperature and protecting them from predators.
After a long stay on the clutch, the male sits on the clutch instead of the dove, allowing her to rest, eat and drink.

How long does it take for chicks to hatch?

After the start of incubation, at least 16 days pass. The first chick in the brood appears from the first egg laid, the second - after 1 day. The day before hatching, the pigeons peck at the shell.

To make pecking easier, you can humidify the air in the dovecote by placing containers of water next to the nests.

You cannot help the chicks get out of the shell; you need to wait until the process ends naturally. For pigeons it can take 0.5-1 days.

If the chick never appears, it means it died, and you need to come to terms with this.

Despite the short incubation period, households need to prepare for the breeding season in advance. In the dovecote you need to place nests according to the number of pairs, put grass, straw, and twigs nearby so that the birds can build a nest.

In order for the pigeons to hatch at the same time and develop equally, the first egg laid must be taken out of the nest and a fake one should be placed. Store the egg at room temperature until the female lays the second one.

Then put it in the nest. When the females sit on the eggs, they cannot be disturbed, otherwise they may abandon the nest and the embryos will die.

Hatching process

Since pigeons hide their offspring in places hidden from people, no ordinary person can say with accuracy how many days pigeons hatch their eggs. It is unlikely that this is particularly interesting to anyone, but for pigeon breeders this issue is considered important.

The female begins to incubate eggs after the entire expected number of eggs have hatched.

Temperature

What determines the duration of incubation:

First of all, from the breed. For example, rock pigeons hatch later than others, while for some other breeds 8 days are enough.
Temperature regime - the warmer the conditions, the earlier the chicks are born.

It also happens that the pigeons do not hatch at all, as the embryos die. In this case, the female sits on the nest for too long. There are many reasons for this:

genetic predisposition;
crossing of relatives;
pigeon infection;
nest contamination;
excessive vibration of the nesting habitat;
improper diet of the mother dove (deficiency of minerals and vitamins);
high humidity.

The developed parental instinct of a couple is what distinguishes pigeons from some species of birds. The eggs are mainly incubated by the female. However, the male can replace her for a while when she flies away from the nest for food. When the dove is absent for a long time, the male begins to make loud sounds.

Such birds are prone to active reproduction. They can hatch up to 7-8 clutches per year in any season. However, the optimal time for mating is spring and summer.

Because it is important that the young animals become stronger before the onset of frost.

About egg laying

Rock pigeons are representatives of the most numerous species of birds, the appearance of which on the streets of megalopolises or large towns does not surprise anyone. The number of their individuals is at a high level due to the large reproductive potential allocated by nature. Pigeons, living in comfortable conditions, are able to produce up to 8 broods annually. They reproduce constantly, regardless of the time of year.

The period of sexual maturity of pigeons occurs at the age of six months. This is despite the fact that the average lifespan of birds is a modest 3 years. Poultry can reach the age of 15 years. How many pieces are there in a clutch? Eggs appear in quantities of 2 pieces. Their sizes can vary from 35 by 25 mm to 43 by 32 mm. They have a classic white color and have a slight shine.

Before laying begins, you can see interesting mating games, after which the females lay eggs. The male fluffs up his plumage, begins to inflate his crop and coo invitingly. He circles around the chosen one, interest her and achieve mutual feelings. Pigeons, having become a pair, do not build a nest; they lay eggs on bare substrate. Attempts by residents of houses on whose balconies these birds laid eggs to provide bedding for them were unsuccessful. After laying eggs, females immediately begin incubation.

How long do pigeons usually hatch eggs? In sizakas they incubate for 16 to 19 days. The eggs are most often incubated by females. Males can replace them for a short time, when females need to fly off in search of food and watering. How many hours a day does the female stay near her future offspring? She sits on the masonry from noon to 10 am. Then the male allows her to have a little rest, guarding the eggs for her. This usually happens from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. If the dove does not return on time, the male begins to coo loudly and displeasedly.

Experts confirm the recording of the heating time of the clutches and chicks on a daily basis. The incubation temperature for poultry is 36.1 – 40.7 degrees. The difference in the degree of heating of the upper and lower parts of the surface is up to 5 degrees. The effect of pseudo-brooding is observed in sizaks; it occurs a week before the laying of the first specimen. If you place an egg on the female at this time, she will begin incubation. The chicks are born helpless, tiny, and have sparse yellowish down. After their birth, the parents take the shell away from their place of residence. At first, the little ones don't see anything.

Hatching in these birds occurs at different times; pigeons can appear in the period from 1 to 3 days.

Feeding of the offspring is carried out by both parents. The first food for babies is a special belch from the crop of adults. It is popularly called pigeon milk. Such food is adapted by nature itself to all the needs of pigeons; it not only gives them a degree of saturation, but also enriches the body with a full range of useful vitamins.

Chicks are considered independent a month after birth. The female does not wait for this moment - she already has to move on to incubating the next clutch. The serious task of accustoming the offspring to adulthood is the responsibility of the male, since the female is busy prolonging the race.

How do pigeons reproduce and how long do they hatch eggs?

Having become the owner of several specimens of the pigeons you like, of course, you wonder how pigeons kept in captivity reproduce. Pigeons are birds, therefore, they lay eggs, hatch them, then feed the chicks, and thus increase their population.

You can get healthy and strong pigeon chicks only if you strictly follow the breeding rules.

However, each bird has its own characteristics, and pigeons also have them. In nature, they do without our help, but the domestic pigeon needs it. In order to carry out reproduction competently, correctly, with the greatest yield of offspring, you need to help the birds and provide them with:

nesting site;
proper diet;
desired choice of partner.

Preparing birds for breeding

In order for the breeding of pigeons to be most successful, 2 - 2.5 months before the mating process itself, it is necessary to separate the pigeons intended to increase the number from the general flock. During this time, they fatten up, rest and become ready for the mating season.

Depending on the weather and region, at the end of winter or beginning of spring, they begin cleaning the dovecote. The flock is released at this time. The room is cleaned, disinfected and dried.

It is important to think through every moment in arranging the nesting site so that unforeseen nuances do not arise.

If it is not possible to install boxes, then the nests are placed directly on the shelves, but partitions must be made between them.

To produce offspring of pigeons, they need to equip comfortable nests in the dovecote.

Types of matings

You can mate either naturally (the gentleman will decide on his own), or forcibly - if it is necessary to improve the breed or the goal is to obtain offspring with certain qualities.

Mating, of course, is possible if the bird is a breeding bird, of high quality, of the same breed.
When pairing independently, pigeons lay eggs earlier, their number is greater and hatchability is higher. In this case, the number of males and females should be equal. When interfering with nature, the formation of a family takes a long, difficult time and is not always crowned with success.

Natural mating allows you to get strong offspring.

Mating process

A few days before mating, the birds are placed in different cages located close to each other. The dove is placed with the male and kept together for 3-4 days, watching them.

The most intimate moment of how birds mate may not be seen. However, if the male is actively courting and everything indicates “contact”, then they are released into the general flock.

The couple independently chooses their nesting place and remains a family forever.

The male chooses the place for mating on his own and should not be disturbed in this.

If a couple does not want to build a nest in a designated place, but does it where they see fit, this cannot be interfered with. The place chosen by the “spouses” must be provided with bedding material and given the opportunity to independently carry out the process. In calm conditions the bird will hatch well.

Since long-established old pairs occupy last year’s nests, they must be released first for nesting. Then the newly formed pairs are released one by one. The pigeon is the first to choose “home” and calls the female to itself with characteristic sounds. If the dove approves of the choice, the male begins to drag out the building material, and his girlfriend begins to lay it.

Hatching process

If incubation is completed, the viable chick will peck through the shell and climb out of the egg. The biting process lasts from 8 to 10 hours. A chick born on its own is fully viable. If a baby pigeon needs help, then, as a rule, it dies or grows weakened and dies later.

Summary

Breeding these birds requires from the pigeon breeder not only knowledge and skills, but also attentiveness. Even if you do everything right, you can’t always get the desired result. However, hard work and the desire to have a beautiful bird will help you overcome the difficulties in breeding birds.

Birds leaving the flock

At about one and a half months of age, the children of pigeon birds are ready to join the flock. It is better to start with a short stay of the chicks with adult representatives of the pigeon family - let the babies join the flock for about 1-2 hours a day.

The chicks take to the air on their own, but it is first recommended to make sure that the pigeon baby is completely healthy and has full plumage. Do not leave him in the flock unattended. Although the depths are peaceful, they can accidentally trample or injure pigeons.

After the first rise into the air, the chicks also need to be carefully examined. If there are any problems with the legs or wings (this happens extremely rarely), you will have to stop flying for a while.

Preparation for reproduction

This way, pigeon families will choose a suitable house without conflicting with others. Another condition is the presence of free space between the boxes so that their inhabitants remember the way to the new home.

Additional requirements for pigeon nests:

do not place them in a row so that the pigeons do not get confused;
make the boxes colorful;
place one on top of the other or place it in different corners of the room;
number it.

Nest boxes must not be moved once installed.

Females are prepared for the upcoming oviposition: they are given the opportunity to fly more. A varied diet is also important:

fresh herbs;
finely chopped vegetables;
vitamins, minerals.

In order for the breeding of pigeons to be as successful as possible, 2-2.5 months before mating you need to separate the pigeons intended for breeding from the flock. During this period, the birds are fattened and allowed to rest, after which they are ready for the mating season. Depending on the geographic location and weather, dovecote cleaning begins in late winter or early spring. The flock is released at this time. The room is cleaned, disinfected, dried

It is important to properly arrange the nesting site so that there are no surprises. Nests are organized taking into account the fact that there should be more of them than pairs of pigeons

Thus, fights over the “nurseries” are eliminated. Nests should be located at the greatest possible distance from each other. If the area is small, the boxes can be installed in several tiers, having previously painted them and numbered them. I do not change nest sites at the end of the season. If it is impossible to install the boxes, the nests are placed on racks, but partitions are made between them. Birds are provided with hay or straw to build their homes. The material is placed in nests and scattered around the dovecote so that the birds can use it at their discretion.

For all pigeon breeders, bird breeding is an important and integral part of the hobby. After all, the appearance of strong offspring and the breeding of new breeds of birds depend on the correct mating of females and males. Therefore, the poultry farmer needs to know all the intricacies of the pigeon breeding process.

Video “Dove on the Nest”

And in the video below you can see how fiercely the pigeon defends its nest from humans! We warn you not to repeat what the author of this video does. If you accidentally find a nest of pigeons, avoid it and do not stress the bird.

Making a first aid kit for pigeons

Mating pigeons: subtleties of reproduction

High-flying pigeons - only airplanes are higher

Mating pigeons

In nature, pigeons independently choose a mate, build nests and raise their offspring. When kept in captivity, decisions on many issues are made by the pigeon breeder

This also applies to mating, which can be carried out naturally when the birds choose a partner of their own free will, or forcefully, if the preservation of breed characteristics is important. For successful bird breeding, in any case, it is necessary to ensure:

Advice. If possible, it is advisable to let pigeons choose their own partners. In this case, their families will be stronger and their offspring more viable.

Pigeons reach sexual maturity at 5 months and can breed for up to 10 years. The optimal time for the start of the mating season of a dove will be its age of about 1-2 years. It is not advisable to bring her together with a male earlier, since she herself is not yet strong enough to procreate.

Oviposition and incubation

After choosing a pair, the pigeons work together to build a nest. 10-12 days after mating, the female lays the first egg, and there can be 1-3 eggs in total in the clutch. There is usually a significant break between the first and subsequent eggs, during which the dove often leaves the nest, starting incubation later.

The incubation period lasts 16-19 days. It is difficult to say a more precise period, since it depends on the following two factors:

Weather.
Breed of pigeons.

If the temperature is high enough, the chicks may hatch earlier, and in cool weather - later. It is not only the female that incubates the eggs. The dove replaces her on the nest while she feeds and rests. At the end of the incubation period, the chicks hatch on their own, pecking at the shell from the inside.

Breeding ordinary and pedigree pigeons requires a person to have knowledge, the necessary skills and attentive attitude towards the birds. The reward for all the efforts for the pigeon breeder will be beautiful, well-groomed birds and healthy offspring from them.

Suitable age for mating

The most viable offspring are obtained from pigeons 2-3 years old, although at 5-6 months they are already able to lay eggs. Pigeons can breed for up to 10 years, but every year the percentage of fertilized eggs and viable offspring will decrease. However, if the breed is very valuable, then you can use an old male and a young dove.

Read also: Iranian tickled pigeons: description, photo

Healthy, thoroughbred and strong birds are allowed to breed. If the individual is weak, obese, or sick, then the offspring may not be viable, or the eggs may be completely unfertilized, or the embryos will die during incubation.