Pigeon rearing business may sound odd but it generates income at the end of the day. Raising pigeons is not only a hobby but a good earner too. They multiply fast if proper care is given, and almost every part of a pigeon has use. For instance, the feathers and bones, after flesh meat has been removed, can be used as feed for chicken while its manure is feed for cows.
Starting pointers
Place the pigeons in pairs of male and female. Provide clean food and water every day, keep their coop clean and separate the sick or sick-looking pigeons from the rest. In preparing for egg laying, scatter leaves in their coop before the mother bird lays eggs otherwise eggs may be lost among the leaves and never be hatched.
Keep a record of the day of egg laying, hatching, number of chicks and their weight each, and number of deaths. This is important in removing those that are not productive and those that are poor in appetite and in growth. A month after hatching, the chick should weigh 500 grams or more.
Feeding
If their feed is grains or commercial feed, they should be: whole grains, not fine or powdered. The mixture must be adequate in vitamins. They should be free from molds, weevil, pest or damage. In addition, the feed may consist of corn, sorghum, soybean, rice or legume seeds .Put the food in a place where they can eat all day. Separate grains from feed. When raised in quantity, allow them to eat plenty until they hatch their eggs. Furthermore, as the chicks grow, allow them to eat freely so as to grow fast and get sold quickly.
If the pigeons don’t get sold within a month from hatching, or they lose weight, place them in a coop where their movement will not be so free, and give them plenty of food so as to grow fast. There selling qualities are; 1st class — 500 grams, Broiler — not older than 50 days, Free from bruises, wounds or insect bites and clean and bright feathers.
Baths
Pigeons like to take a bath, so they must have their own bathing containers with about 7.5 cm deep water. They bathe 2 or 3 times a week in the morning if the weather is good.
Remove the bath after they are through. Provide also clean sand where they can roll themselves and pick up small shells and stones. When pigeons bathe often, they become sturdy against pests. Protect them from pests and diseases, and consult a veterinarian for this.
Reduction of old pigeons
Every year, remove 25% of old birds and replace them with newly born ones to keep active their propagation. Take care of half of this number until age 5-6 weeks. A progressive mother pigeon can produce 10 chicks a year.
With this knowledge, you will be able to easily rear pigeon even if you are a beginner. You will surely bear the fruits of this poultry investment with time.