Breeds Pigeon Species

1.Ice Pigeon- White and ice blue, The

Ice pigeon is a very beautiful bird with calm
and gentle nature

2. African Owl Pigeon- white African owl,

brown, black, the distinguishing feature of all owl
pigeons is the crest offeathers that runs down the front of
the breast. Eyes are large and bold in a currant red colour

3. Fantail Pigeon- white, black, grey and silver,

The Fantail pigeon is among the oldest breed of this
bird. With the fan-shaped tail appearance and silky
feather textures, they look lovely and charming.

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4.Pouter Pigeon- White, black, grey
commonly, these birds are so attractive that a
breed known as the Horseman Thief Pouter
steals and retrieves wild pigeons and other
fancier’s pigeons back to their loft with its
good looks and wooing.
5. Frill Back Pigeon- Grey, white
and black, yellow, silver, the breed is known
for the frill or curls on the wing shield
feathers

6. Lahore Pigeon- White body colour

with different markings such as brown, black,
blue and red, Lahore Pigeon is a breed of
fancy pigeon known for its impressive size
and gentle nature
7.Nicobar pigeon - green and blue
iridescent back, the general coloration is dark
green iridescent, with a short white tail.

8.Jacobin Pigeon- Blue, black, yellow, silver and

white, it is a very old breed and its head is
completely hidden behind it’s splendid hood of 5-6
long feathers.

9.Helmet Pigeon- White, the helmet

pigeon goes by a couple of other names such as
the helmet crested pigeon and the German
helmet pigeon.
10.Saxon Shield Pigeon- White with black,
red, brown and more colours, they have muff feathers
which are long and curvy, making them distinct and
unique compared to other breeds. Their chest is broad
and well curved, and it appears to be projecting
outwards.

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 REPRODUCTIVE STRUCTURE
Male Reproductive Organs:
Sexes are separate and sexual dimorphism is absent in pigeon. The
male reproductive organs of pigeon (Fig. 26.47) are testes and vasa
deferentia and there occurs no penis like mammals.
(i.) Testes:
Two oval and white testes, each attached to the anterior end of a
kidney by mesorchium (fold of peritoneum).
(ii. ) Vasa Deferentia:
From the inner border of each testis arises a convoluted Wolffian or
mesonephric duct, its anterior end is an epididymis and the rest is a
vas deferens.

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 REPRODUCTIVE STRUCTURE
Female Reproductive Organs:
The adult female has only the left ovary and left oviduct as their main reproductive
organs. In the embryo there are two ovaries and two oviducts, but during
development, the ovary and oviduct of right side become more or less completely
atrophied.

(i.) Ovary:
A large-sized, irregular-shaped left ovary occurs at the ventral side of anterior lobe of
left kidney. It remains attached to the kidney by mesovarium, a double-fold
peritoneum.

(ii.) Oviduct:
The left oviduct (Mullerian duct) is a long, broad, thick-walled, convoluted tube
passing backwards to the cloaca. It remains attached to the dorsal body wall by
mesotubarium, a double fold of peritoneum.

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 Structure of egg
Female Reproductive Organs:
The adult female has only the left ovary and left
oviduct as their main reproductive organs. In the
embryo there are two ovaries and two oviducts, but
during development, the ovary and oviduct of right
side become more or less completely atrophied.

(i.) Ovary:
A large-sized, irregular-shaped left ovary occurs at
the ventral side of anterior lobe of left kidney. It
remains attached to the kidney by mesovarium, a
double-fold peritoneum.

(ii.) Oviduct:
The left oviduct (Mullerian duct) is a long, broad,
thick-walled, convoluted tube passing backwards to
the cloaca. It remains attached to the dorsal body
wall by mesotubarium, a double fold of peritoneum.

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 Breeding practice of pigeon
Line-Breeding
Line-breeding in
pigeon racing as it’s talked
about and practised today is
actually a form of
inbreeding (to a certain
degree) and as such is often
mistaken as being one in
the same thing, this is
understandable.

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 Breeding practice of pigeon
Cross-breeding (out-
crossing)

Cross-breeding or out-crossing, as
it’s sometimes known, is basically
when we mate pigeons of a different
strain, usually with no common
ancestors in the previous 5
generations. We may be looking to
introduce new genes into the pool or
simply want to breed more dynamic
birds with increased vitality.
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 Breeding practice of pigeon
Inbreeding
As stated previously, inbred Super Breeders
pigeons tend to have poor vitality and are T h e r e a r e c a s e s i n w h i c h ve r y c l o s e
more prone to sickness. John Halstead inbreeding is used to create pigeons bred
mentions that he tries to keep a line- with specific genes solely for stock. It’s
breeding theme in his breeding and goes almost as if the later generations are being
on to state he rarely inbreeds pigeons too primed or engineered to be ‘Super Breeders’
closely, though “half-brother and half- ahead of time.
sister may be considered”. Copulation:
Courtship: The female pigeon crouches down and
The male pigeon tries to attract the moves her tail to the side, exposing her
female's attention by showing off his cloaca, which is the opening for both the
plumage, cooing, and walking with an reproductive and excretory systems. The male
arrogant gait. pigeon mounts her from behind and aligns his
Nesting: After mating, the pigeons work cloaca with hers.
together to build a nest, usually made of
hay, straw, or twigs. The nest is typically located on a high and stable platform, such as
a tree, a building, or a ledge.

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 Housing
Loft: A loft is a shed or a small
building that is designed to house
pigeons.

Cage: A cage is a wire enclosure that

can house one or more pigeons.

Doocot: A doocot is a tower or a

structure that has many small
compartments for pigeons to nest in.

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 (B). SPACING AND DIMENSION OF PIGEON:
The spacing and dimension of pigeon housing depend on the number
and size of the pigeons. A general rule is to allow eight to 10 cubic feet
of air space per bird. A pigeon cage should have a

(C.) TYPES OF ROOFING OF PIGEON:

The roofing of pigeon housing should be durable, waterproof, and slanted. The roofing
can be made from materials such as metal, asphalt, shingles, or tiles. The roof should
be slanted from front to back to allow the rain to roll off away from the landing board.

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 (D.) VENTILATION OF PIGEON:
:
Ventilation is essential for the health and comfort of the
pigeons. Ventilation can be achieved by using windows, doors,
vents, fans, or turbines. Ventilation should provide fresh air,
prevent drafts, and regulate temperature and humidity.
Ventilation should also prevent the accumulation of dust,
ammonia, and other harmful gases

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 MANAGEMENT PRACTICE
(1)Incubation

Incubation management practices of pigeon are the methods and

techniques that are used to ensure the successful hatching and rearing
of pigeon eggs and chicks.
• Providing adequate and balanced nutrition and water for the
pigeons.
• Maintaining proper hygiene and sanitation in the pigeon
house and the nest boxes.
• Turning and candling the eggs during the incubation period.
• Assisting the hatching and rearing of the chicks.

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 ARTIFICIAL

The artificial hatching method comprises the following steps:

selecting a nanny pigeon; picking up pigeon eggs; sterilizing; choosing
the hatching temperature and the hatching humidity; ventilating;
candling the pigeon eggs; turning over the pigeon eggs and performing
later period management of hatching.
Ø The hatching yield of the pigeon eggs is improved by 5-20% by
adopting the artificial hatching than that by a natural hatching;
Ø the pigeon egg-laying period of the breed pigeon is ahead of time for
10-15 days; the number of broken pigeon eggs is reduced by about
10-20%;
Ø the hatchability of fertilized pigeon eggs is improved by about 10-
25%; therefore, the artificial hatching method for the pigeon eggs is
high in application value.

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Brooding
Brooding is a period of time when young pigeons are cared for by
their parents until they are able to feed and regulate their body
temperature by themselves.

Ø Provide a nest box or basket for each pair of

Ø pigeons.
Maintain a brooding temperature of about 35°C for the first week, and gradually reduce it
to 25°C by the fourth week.
Ø Ensure adequate ventilation and fresh air in the brooding house. Avoid dampness, drafts,
and ammonia build-up.
Ø Provide balanced and nutritious feed for the parents and the squabs.
Ø Provide clean and fresh water for the parents and the squabs. The water should be available
at all times, and the waterers should be cleaned and disinfected regularly.
Ø Maintain good hygiene and sanitation in the brooding house.

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 Lighting management
 Lightning practice
There are different ways to implement the lighting system,
depending on when you want to start and end the light exposure, how
long you want to keep the lights on, and when you want to exercise your
young birds.
Some
Ø You need common
to have factors
some early to consider
youngsters are:banded by March 1, which means
that are
that you need to pair your breeders by December or January.
Ø You need to place the weaned youngsters in a separate loft or pen where you can
control the lights with a timer
Ø You need to provide at least 17 hours of light per day for the young birds, which can
be coordinated with the natural sunrise and sunset times.
Ø You need to decide whether you want to exercise your young birds in the morning or
in the evening, and adjust the light schedule accordingly.
Ø You need to feed your young birds a high protein diet, preferably with pigeon pellets,
to support their growth and development.
Ø You need to train your young birds to trap and circle around the loft as soon as
possible.
Ø You need to turn off the lights and cut and pull the 10th flight feather about 4-6
weeks before the first race, to trigger the final molt and stimulate the racing form
 Lighting management

 Lighting Schedule
The lighting schedule management of pigeon is a variation of the
lighting system that I explained in my previous message.

Ø It can help you avoid the problems of the lighting system, such as stress,
disease, and high cost.
Ø It can help you maintain a consistent and natural molt cycle for your
young birds, which can improve their feather quality and racing form.
Ø It can help you adapt to different racing seasons and climates, as you
can adjust the light exposure according to the sunrise and sunset times
of your location.
Ø It can help you reduce the risk of losing young birds during the races, as
they will not be molting or growing new feathers during the racing
season.
 Lighting management
Some of the steps of the lighting schedule management are:

Ø Start the lighting schedule management when your young birds are
about 6 weeks old, or when they have grown their 10th flight feather.
Ø Provide 14 hours of light per day for your young birds, which can be
divided into two periods: one in the morning and one in the evening.
Ø Gradually increase the light exposure by 15 minutes per week until you
reach 16 hours of light per day, which should be around mid-June.
Ø Keep the light exposure at 16 hours per day until mid-August, when the
racing season starts.
Ø Gradually decrease the light exposure by 15 minutes per week until you
reach 10 hours of light per day, which should be around mid-October.
Ø Keep the light exposure at 10 hours per day until mid-December, when
the racing season ends.
Ø Gradually increase the light exposure by 15 minutes per week until you
reach 14 hours of light per day, which should be around mid-February
  Debeaking
Debeaking of pigeon is the partial removal of the beak of a pigeon,
usually to prevent damage caused by pecking or biting.
 When to Debeak?
Debeaking of pigeon is the partial removal of the beak of a pigeon,
usually to prevent damage caused by pecking or biting.
 How to Debeak?
Ø Using a hot blade or wire to cut off part of the beak. This is the most common and
cheapest method, but it can cause pain, bleeding, and infection.
Ø Using a laser or infrared beam to cauterize the beak. This is a more expensive and
precise method, but it can still cause pain and stress.
Ø Using a file or sandpaper to grind down the beak. This is a less invasive and more
humane method, but it can take longer and require more skill.
Why Debeak?
Ø To reduce aggression and cannibalism among pigeons kept in close confinement.
Ø To prevent damage to feathers, skin, or eggs caused by pecking.
Ø To control the spread of diseases such as tuberculosis or trichomoniasis that can be
transmitted by the beak.
 Sexing
Vent Sexing
Vent sexing is a method used to determine the sex of birds,
particularly in poultry, by examining their genitalia.
 How to do vent sexing?
Vent sexing is a specialized technique that requires training and experience to perform
accurately and safely.
Ø Preparation:
Ø Restraint:
Ø Cloacal eversion:
Ø Examination:
Ø Experience and expertise:
 When to do vent sexing
Ø Vent sexing is typically performed on day-old chicks in commercial poultry operations.
Ø However, it's important to note that vent sexing is a specialized technique that requires training and
experience to perform accurately.
Ø For other bird species, including pigeons, vent sexing is not commonly practiced
Ø If you have specific concerns or requirements related to sex determination in birds, it is recommended to
consult with a veterinarian or an experienced avian specialist who can provide guidance based on their
knowledge and expertise with the particular species you are working with.
 Feather Sexing Sexing
Feather sexing is a method used to determine the sex of certain
bird species, particularly in poultry.
 How to do feather sexing?
Ø Choose the right bird species
Ø Age of the bird
Ø Familiarize yourself with the species
 Why Feather Sexing?
Feather sexing is performed to determine the sex of birds, particularly in poultry, for
various practical reasons:
Ø Observe the primary feathers:
Ø Breeding
Ø purposes: sexual characteristics
Look for secondary
Ø Flock
Ø management:
Seek expert guidance
Ø Space and resource management:
 When to do feather sexing?
Feather sexing is typically performed within a few days after hatching when the feathers are just
Ø Cost savings:
starting to grow. The exact timing may vary depending on the species and the specific feather
Ø Genetic selection:
growth patterns of the birds you are working with.
 Feeds & Feeding
Crop milk consists primarily of protein
(11.0 to 18.8% on as is basis) and fat
(4.5 to 12.7% on as is basis), and lacks
significant levels of carbohydrates.
Furthermore, adult pigeons are mainly fed
mixtures of whole grains.

Poultry feed ingredients include energy

concentrates such as corn, oats, wheat,
barley, sorghum, and milling by-products.

Water-soluble vitamins (such as C, F and B

complex) to your pigeons regularly because
animals cannot store them in their bodies. Fat-
soluble vitamins (A, D, E and K) do accumulate in
the body. Heavy overdoses can therefore be toxic
  How much fat does a pigeon need?
For non-competitive birds, levels of fat between 5 and 11% are
often recommended in the diet. Levels of fat over 30% (as can occur
when feeding high levels of peanuts, sunflower, safflower or linseed)
quickly lead to the development of obesity, fatty liver, high cholesterol
and even type II diabetes in bird.
Ingredients used in diets
Corn: Whole or cracked corn is a staple ingredient in pigeon
feed. It provides carbohydrates, fats, and some protein.
Wheat: Whole wheat or cracked wheat is another
common ingredient in pigeon feed. It is a good source of
carbohydrates and protein

Peas: Split peas or whole peas are often included in

pigeon feed. They are a good source of protein and fiber.
 Ingredients used in diets

Barley: Barley grains are sometimes included in pigeon feed. They

provide carbohydrates and some protein.

Milo (Sorghum): Milo is a type of sorghum grain that is commonly

included in pigeon feed. It provides carbohydrates and some protein.

Sunflower seeds: Pigeon feed often contains sunflower seeds. They

are a good source of fats and protein.

Soybeans: Soybean meal, a byproduct of soybean oil extraction, is

often included in pigeon feed as a source of protein
 Ingredients used in diets
Peanuts: Crushed or ground peanuts are sometimes added to pigeon
feed for additional protein and fats.

Oats: Rolled or crushed oats may be included in pigeon feed as a

source of carbohydrates and fiber

Safflower seeds: Safflower seeds are another type of seed

commonly found in pigeon feed. They provide fats and some protein.
 Amounts of feed
 Starter
The specific amounts of starter feed given to pigeon chicks can vary
depending on factors such as the brand of feed, the age of the chicks,
and their individual needs.
As a general guideline, here are some approximate amounts of starter feed that can
be given to pigeon chicks:
Ø Early Stage (around 7 to 10 days old):
o Start by offering a small amount of starter feed, such as 1 to 2 tablespoons,
sprinkled on a shallow dish or tray. The chicks will gradually start pecking at the
feed.
Ø Mid-stage (2 to 3 weeks old):
o Increase the amount of starter feed as the chicks grow. You can offer
approximately 1/4 to 1/2 cup of starter feed per day, divided into multiple small
meals. Monitor their appetite and adjust the amount accordingly.
Ø Late stage (3 to 4 weeks old):
o By this stage, the chicks should be consuming solid feed more consistently.
Offer approximately 1/2 to 1 cup of starter feed per day, divided into several
meals. Again, monitor their growth and adjust the amount as needed.
 Amounts of feed
 Grower
The amounts of grower feed given to pigeons can vary depending
on the brand of feed, the age of the birds, their size, activity level, and
individual nutritional requirements.
Here are some general guidelines for feeding grower feed to pigeons:
Ø Age:
Pigeons typically transition to grower feed around 4 to 6 weeks of age, although this
can vary depending on the development and growth of the individual birds.
Ø Quantity:
As a general guideline, adult pigeons may consume approximately 30 to 50 grams (1
to 1.75 ounces) of feed per day.
Ø Feeding Frequency:
Pigeons are typically fed once or twice a day, depending on their feeding routine and
the specific recommendations provided by the feed manufacturer.
Ø Feed Composition:
Grower feed is formulated to provide the necessary nutrients for the growth and
development of pigeons.
 Amounts of feed
 Finisher
Finisher feed for pigeons is typically provided during the final stage
of their growth, as they approach maturity.
Here are some general guidelines for feeding finisher feed to
Ø Age: pigeons:
Pigeons usually transition to finisher feed when they are around 12 to 16 weeks old,
but this can vary depending on the development and growth of the individual birds.
Ø Quantity:
The amount of finisher feed given to pigeons can vary depending on the size and
activity level of the birds.
Ø Feeding Frequency:
Pigeons are typically fed once or twice a day, depending on their feeding routine and
the specific recommendations provided by the feed manufacturer.
Ø Feed Composition:
Finisher feed is formulated to provide the necessary nutrients for pigeons as they
approach maturity.
 Biosecurity & Sanitation Program
Biosecurity and sanitation programs are crucial for maintaining the
health and well-being of animals, including pigeons. These programs aim to
prevent the introduction and spread of diseases, minimize the risk of
infections, and maintain a clean and safe environment for the birds.

Here are some key components of a biosecurity and sanitation program for
Ø Isolation and Quarantine: pigeons:
Ø Cleanliness and Disinfection:.
Ø Footwear and Clothing Hygiene:
Ø Pest Control:
Ø Water Quality:
Ø Visitor Control:
Ø Biosecurity Education:
 Diseases, Prevention & Control.

 Infectious and Communicable Diseases

Ø Paramyxovirus (PMV):
Ø Salmonellosis:
Ø Coccidiosis:
Ø Trichomoniasis (Canker):
Ø Pigeon Pox:
 Diseases, Prevention & Control.

 Non-Infectious Diseases

Ø Nutritional Deficiencies:
Ø Toxicity:
Ø Trauma and Injuries:
Ø Respiratory Irritants:
Ø Overexertion and Stress: