-
Mated pairs of
pigeons produce well for 5-6 years.
-
Arthropods are
a nuisance to pigeons including mites, feather lice, body lice, turkey
gnats, pigeon flies, fleas & mosquitoes.
-
The pigeon
offers to a man, a hobby, a sport, a food or a subject for scientific
study.
-
Squab enter
the weaning stage at about 30 days.
-
Young cock pigeons begin to show their sex at about
3 months. Young hens began to lay at an average of 6 months.
-
Both
the cock and hen incubate and feed their young.
-
Squabs
are market size by 28 days.
-
Mammals
which are most destructive to pigeons are rats, mice, cats, mink, opossum,
raccoons, weasels.
-
Floors of new pigeon houses should be covered with
old pigeon droppings, sawdust, rice hulls, sand, pine needles or straw
with old pigeon droppings being the best in keeping pigeon diseases
down.
-
Fertility
problems are more common in breeds which deviate most from the Wild
Rock Dove.
-
Columbi
form birds lay (pigeons & doves) either laying 1 or 2 eggs with
most species laying 2 eggs per nest.
-
Pigeons
and doves have dark breast muscle which is associated with in flight
(high content of myoglobin).
-
The
ecological relationship of pigeons and doves to man is a form of
symbiosis referred to as mutualism where both are benefited by the
association and neither are harmed. Doves and pigeons gives man
a hobby, sport, food, and a tool for research while man gives the
pigeon or rock protection, shelter, minerals, food and water.
-
Acid
litter helps keep disease down.
-
Large
size in pigeons is not usually good for the breed.
