Babies in the winter

[ridinglizzard]

Does anyone let their pigeons hatch out in the winter? Our winter started late, but now it is here in full force (-23C) and I have 4 x 2.5 week old squabs. I have their fully insulated coop heated with a radiator, and a heat bulb on one of the nests, and the babies all seem to be doing fine... but it just seems awfully cold for the little ones. Sometimes the littlest one holds her eyes closed. But their crops are full and they all appear strong. Any experience with this?

I know that going forward I will take the eggs if anyone lays past Sept around here, to save me this stress!!

 

[Tippler]

That is pretty cold (-9.4 Fahrenheit).
I would not let them breed anymore this winter. The problem occurs when the babies reach 7,8 days or so old and the parents can not fully cover them. They are still growing their feathers and can not protect themselves from cold.
You never mentioned the inside temp? Must be pretty high I hope. With out the babies you do not need to provide heat.

Here in Phoenix, AZ some breed all year and others stop. I have one pair I just paired up which I am probably going to let breed all winter.
Others will get cut off as they have already done a few sets this year anyways and need a break.
I have heard of others loosing babies here when it gets cold, and by cold I mean in the 30's f which is around 0 c.

 

[PaigeHgibson]

winter babies tend to be weak and their growth tends to be stunted that has been my expierience anyway

 

[ridinglizzard]

My Winter babies

(Skyler, with Sunny; Billie, with ChunChun; Chance, with Sunshine)

 

[deerman]

most racers and those raising show birds, start breeding in Jan. I did mine in Ohio winters, great results. Nice strong birds. Reason birds are banded with year of they hatched. Birds raced or showed in the fall. could be a big help a bird over 6 months or older for the race or show ring.


Yes if a young one get out of the nest bowl ,it will chill faster and die, which i had happen very rarely.

Now if raising them just for fun , i would wait untill march.

 

[deerman]

Quote:
nice looking squeekers.......pigeon in most cases are great parents no matter the temps. just make sure they have water 24/7 ,not froozen or snow.