D12: Breeding pigeon (goals, use, breeds, methods

Question 1

domestication:
kingdom
phylus
class
order
suborder
genus

Answer 1

kingdom: animalia
phylum: chordata
class: aves
order: Galliformis, anseriformes, columbiformes

order: galliformis
suborder: galli
genus; gallus - chicken (galli gallus = chicken)
genus: meleagris - turkey

order: anseriformes
suborder: anseres
Tribe: Anserini (greylag goose and swan goose)
Tribe: Cairini (muskovy duck)
Tribe: Anatini (domestic duck)

order: COLUMBIFORMES
suborder: COLUMBAE - PIGEON

Question 2

origin of pigeon

Answer 2

rock dove: 8000BC
barbary dove was also domesticated

Question 3

is the biodiversity of pigeons high or low

Answer 3

high

Question 4

what are common uses/ breeding goals of pigeons

Answer 4

commercial meat (squab food)

hobby -> breeding

lab –> experiments

Flying/sporting pigeons:
o Trained domestic pigeons are able to return to their home if released at an unknown location that may be up to 1000 km away!
o Homing pigeons: a breed developed through selective breeding to carry messages, used in pigeon racing and released at ceremonies like weddings and funerals.
o Shooting (wood pigeon).

Exhibition/ fancy breeds: duchess, fantail
-> go to shows or ocmpetitions.

Question 5

what are the reproduction traits of pigeons?

Answer 5

• Puberty: 4-6 months
• Breeding maturity: 7-8 months
• Egg production:
  -> parents are nursing two nests
  -> two eggs/nest
  -> 5-6 broody cycles (10-12 eggs per year)
  -> incubation time: 17 days
• fertility and hatchability: approx. 90%

Breeding: SEE DIAGRAM IN CAMERA ROLL
* mating
* 10-14 days later: egg laying
– 2 eggs in 40h interval
– weight: 20-23 g
* brooding: incubation by both parents for 15-18 days and then…
* mating again
* hatching squabs (15-20 g)
* rearing for 4 weeks by both parents
* weaning (28th day)
* new eggs laid 12-14 days after hatching (in 32-day intervals).
Parents nurse two nests for a short time!

Question 6

production traits of pigeons

Answer 6

• Egg production:
  -> parents are nursing two nests
  -> two eggs/nest
  -> 5-6 broody cycles (10-12 eggs per year)
  -> incubation time: 17 days
  -> fertility and hatchability: approx. 90%

Meat production:
* low sex difference
* weaning on 28th day
* weaning weight: 550-600 g
* dressing percentage: 65-70%
* feed efficieny: 2.5-3 kg/kg (in meat types)

Question 7

how are pigeon breeds classified?

Answer 7

• 1. Flying/Sporting pigeons
• 2. Utility/Meat pigeons
• 3. Exhibition/Fancy pigeons

Question 8

what are flying/sporting pigeons?
give exmaple

Answer 8

Senses:
* The use of a sun compass
* Nocturnal navigate by stars
* Visual landmark map
* Polarised light compass
* Olfactory stimuli
* Olfactory navigation

More than 200 flying and sporting pigeons! Rollers, tumblers, tipplers, parlor rollers
Homing and racing pigeons

Question 9

What are utility/ meat pigeons used for?
give exmamples of breeds

Answer 9

• Pigeons are also bred for meat, squab: harvested from young birds
• grow to a very large size in the nest before they are fledged and able to fly.
• in this stage of their development, they are prized as food.
• For commercial meat production:

KING PIGEON
TEXAN
MONDAIN
STROSSER

Question 10

What are exhibition/ fancy breeds of pigeon?

Answer 10

FANTAIL
FRILLBACK
ORIENTAL
DUCHESS

Question 11

Describe what a typical pigeon loft should contain

Answer 11

• Orientation (S, SE), thermal insulation.
• Floor substrate:
  – Dust-free
  – Good absorbent (zeolit)
  – Heat insulator
  – Dry and clean
  – Size (don’t eat it)
  – E.g. pea straw* Ventillation (draft-free)
• Skylights (bright!)
• 13–18°C is optimal
• Two nests per couple!
• for FLYING pigeons: trap/landing board
• for BREEDERS: 2 nests/breeding pair!

**rarely in cages