Breeding timing

symbro · November 4, 2005

I have several pairs of pigeons that i have been allowing to bond. Other than three who seem to either be missexed or too young, they have successfully bonded. Each pair has been in its individual boxes which are locked at this time.

Now this week i need to seperate them. they will be seperated for three weeks. this is so that they lay all thier eggs within the same time. I have three choices in which i can do this.

A) Lock the Cocks in the breeding boxes and allow the hens to run free in the breeding loft.

Lock the hens in the breeding boxes and allow the cocks to run free in the breeding loft

(i dont see this happening since the cocks are rather aggressive, expecially one, and there would be no hidding places if they were loose)

C) Throw the cocks into the Flying loft and allow the hens to run free in the breeding loft with the nesting boxes open.

to me C sounds the best since that would allow everyone some free run and allow the hens to make thier nests while they wait.

This is the first year i am breeding. and all these birds are yearlings. Also i have seen at least one pair "Jump" a few times. so i know the hen should be laying eggs soon.

Symbro

November 5, 2005

how many days have you birds been to gethere as it tacks 10days for you birds to lay there first egg if the hen is not over weight

symbro · November 5, 2005

sorry i see that the last part of my previous post was slightly confusing. that hen i was talking about should be laying soon. she wont be allowed to keep those eggs. i was more intrested in how i should seperate my birds.

they will be seperated for three weeks. so for sure there will be no eggs fertalized until after they mate when i put them back together.

Symbro

November 5, 2005

if it was me i would let the cock birds stay in were there net boxes are and move the hens in to the other loft if you only have hens in one of the sections as the hens might pair up in the nest boxes

symbro · November 5, 2005

i only have two sections. breeder loft with lockable pens and my flying loft with all my other birds in it. i dont want to put my hens with any cocks. so releasing them into my flying loft is out of the question.

MsPigeon · November 5, 2005

I agree, I would leave the cocks in the nest box pen so they can stake claim to their nest boxes. The hens won't build nests till you put them back together and they mate up any way. Put the hens in the other pen where they will also get exercise. That's what I would do anyway.

Carol