Its been a while since ive been on this site! Ive had quail, then moved into chickens, still have a few chickens, but I have now moved on to pigeons.
I have 12 pairs of racing pigeons. They are all older birds. 3 to 6 years old. I got them in my chicken coop that im slowing transitioning to a pigeon loft. I have nest boxs put up on a wall. Loft is 20ftX8ftX8ft. All half inch welded wire. Im trying to keep from building a new loft, but may do it anyways.
I have them on game cock feed right now, its a mix of seeds that the feed store had. It doesnt have peas, or safflower though. And i havent added a little fish food to it yet.
Got clean waterers going, all seems ok for now. Checked them over, most look good, I found one lice on one of them in the feathers, thats it though. Seem pretty healthy, guy i got them from said they were up to date on everything.
Ive had 1 egg get laid, and found another egg today on the ground cracked, not in a nest box.
I need to get them breeding asap.. is open nest boxs, let them go as they may the best route? Or pairing them up, locking them up in breeding boxs more efficient? Which would give me better squab numbers?
Anything else you can do to get them breeding and rearing young faster?
Ive been feeding 10 to 15 minutes once a day, but am wondering if they could just free feed, if thatd help with breeding and egg laying with food anytime?
Grains
Chick grit crushed granite to help digesting
Water
Oyster shell
What else they need?
I have 12 pairs of racing pigeons. They are all older birds. 3 to 6 years old. I got them in my chicken coop that im slowing transitioning to a pigeon loft. I have nest boxs put up on a wall. Loft is 20ftX8ftX8ft. All half inch welded wire. Im trying to keep from building a new loft, but may do it anyways.
I have them on game cock feed right now, its a mix of seeds that the feed store had. It doesnt have peas, or safflower though. And i havent added a little fish food to it yet.
Got clean waterers going, all seems ok for now. Checked them over, most look good, I found one lice on one of them in the feathers, thats it though. Seem pretty healthy, guy i got them from said they were up to date on everything.
Ive had 1 egg get laid, and found another egg today on the ground cracked, not in a nest box.
I need to get them breeding asap.. is open nest boxs, let them go as they may the best route? Or pairing them up, locking them up in breeding boxs more efficient? Which would give me better squab numbers?
Anything else you can do to get them breeding and rearing young faster?
Ive been feeding 10 to 15 minutes once a day, but am wondering if they could just free feed, if thatd help with breeding and egg laying with food anytime?
Grains
Chick grit crushed granite to help digesting
Water
Oyster shell
What else they need?