King Pigeons for raising squabs

[cowboy1up]

Any one else out there raise squabs to eat? I have two pair of utility King pigeons that I harvest the squabs at 25-28 days. I dress them out and either prepare them for roasting or grilling, or I will freeze them for future consumption. They are delicious, tender and very nutritious...good protein. The best part is I don't have to do a thing until they are ready. Kings are larger than most pigeons except for Runts and Giant Homers. Any thoughts? I have pics if anyone interested.

 

[nayeli]

So you have 2 pairs of King pigeons... That gives you four squabs every 3-4 months? I'm just wondering. I'm also interested in pigeons for hatching quail (I think they will produce more and faster as far as meat). I don't like the idea of having to incubate and I have heard of others successfully using pigeons to hatch quail. I even heard the pigeons will give me eggs in the mean time and I figure I can always let them hatch some of their own too =)

 

[cowboy1up]

Actually I get squabs more frequently. I'm not familiar with how long quail require to hatch. A pigeon expects their eggs to hatch in about 18 days but will sit an unhatched egg longer. If quail hatch sooner, not sure how this works out. Obviously you don't want pigeons feeding quail, not that they will. Best of luck

 

[nayeli]

Oh so every month and a half! That is much better than I expected!

 

[rickerra]

I would love to know more about raising pigeons. That old 'Texas Pioneer utility pigeon' thread was great.

Pictures would be very appreciated.

What does your coop look like? Do you have a fly area with your coop?

How did you get started? Any good books/resources you can recommend? (not as easy to find info like it is with chickens!

)

Cheers!

 

[Curtiejlee]

Pigeons are super easy and fun to breed and keep! The way to start is to build a loft and purchase good quality birds from a reputable breeder. Feed them a mixture of red wheat and layer pellets during spring and summer, and feed a cracked corn and layer pellet mixture during the colder months. Mine breed from February to, occasionally December. Always supply a calcium grit, especially during the breeding season. If you we're o start keeping kings, a flight would not need to be provided as they could free fly.

 

[rickerra]

So the larger King pigeon breed will still free fly... if given the choice? I was under the impression the larger utility breed pigeons didn't have much of a desire for flying. Or are at least content with just some outdoor aviary space.

I live near a lake, so lots of hawks and eagles. I'm planning on building a shed this year and was imagining turning one side into a loft with aviary cages hanging off the side.

Appreciate the info!



P.S. 200th post... huzzah!

 

[Curtiejlee]

All my birds free fly! Utility, homers, fancy, ornamental! I now let them out for half an hour about five days a week under my supervision. We have a terrible hawk and owl problem. Kings are about the size of larger banties so it'd need to be a pretty big aviary. My pigeon
aviary is 6' tall, 5' wide and 10' long.

 

[Hokum Coco]

All my birds free fly! Utility, homers, fancy, ornamental! I now let them out for half an hour about five days a week under my supervision.

I almost lost one of my white homers to a hawk yesterday. He was right on her tail feathers for about 25 to 30 seconds (it seemed longer than that at the time). The pigeon was able to out maneuver the hawk finally and it gave up the chase. When ravens are around my older homers like to have some sport with them. Problem with that is my younger squabs sometime fall prey to ravens.

 

[muscovydrake101]

Do you still have pigeons you would like to sell, if so I am interested depending on the price.