Pigeons.....

[awesomefowl]

Hi, I am thinking about pigeons. I have a few questions.....
1. What are some good squabbing breeds?
2. Are they easy to keep?
3. Are they fun?
4. Is the meat reasonably inexpensive to produce, and is it delicious? (If no one will eat it why get 'em)
5. What do they eat?

Thank you! Diana aka Awesomefowl

 

[awesomefowl]

6. how much space do they require?

 

[Mary Of Exeter]

1. What are some good squabbing breeds?
Utility Kings, Utility Carneau, Texan Pioneers

2. Are they easy to keep?
Yes. They are no more difficult than chickens.

3. Are they fun?
Yep! They are fun to watch in the loft and even more fun to see them fly around outside. But with squabbing birds you need to keep an eye out for hawks!

4. Is the meat reasonably inexpensive to produce, and is it delicious? (If no one will eat it why get 'em)
Yes. Pigeons don't eat much, especially if you only have a few. Squab is a delicacy in most countries. Your fancy expensive restaurants serve them. I've heard it tastes better than chicken.

5. What do they eat?
A mix of seeds and grain. They can also eat pellets. A mix of wildbird seed (the more variety of seeds, the better) and pellets is good if you can't find a pigeon mix. Also make sure you have grit (crushed oystershell and crushed granite) available 24/7.

6. how much space do they require?
2 square feet per bird.

 

[Mary Of Exeter]

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[Mary Of Exeter]

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[Mary Of Exeter]

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[Mary Of Exeter]

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[Mary Of Exeter]

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[Mary Of Exeter]

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[Timmy]

1. white Utility type Kings are the most common breed for squab production. Giant homers, Carneaus, mondains, and crosses of these breeds are other good choices
2. As easy as any other bird. They need feed, water, grit, and a clean place to live. Because you are asking I'm going to assume you haven't had pigeons and know little about them. You may already know this but encase you don't. It's important to know that pigeons are hatched bald and blind and need there parents for food and warmth. You do not incubate pigeon eggs or buy day old pigeons. Also pigeons often suffer from mites, lice, respiratory problems and canker. All these issues can be completely controlled by giving them a clean environment to live and raise there young.
3. Yes they are fun. They are very enjoyable to watch, but if you want birds for fun get rollers or homers or fancy show birds. something your raising to eat is live stock not a pet. (just my opinion don't start yelling at me everyone)
4. Yes I believe it is relatively inexpensive and delicious. It is better than chicken IMO, But it can dry out when you cook it.
5. Pigeon feed or layer pellets and grit. Grit is very important. I used layer pellets for my meet birds when I had them because it cost less
6. 2 square feet per bird in the coop should be sufficient, but What I'm gana say is give them as much space as you can. a large fly pen is also important because typically people don't let these types of birds out to fly. when you build your coop and start to fill it up you will notice when it starts to get crowded. also an adequate number of nest is important. At least two per pair because these utility type birds will lay a second set of eggs wile their squab are still in the nest. If you build bigger than you need now you wont be trying to figure out were to put all your new birds in 6 months.