Keeping & BreedingKeeping & BreedingWith Krissy Anne Butler, Gazette Dove & Pigeon Specialist
Many pigeons and doves have been bred on game
farms and in zoos for hu
ndreds of years. Due to the ease with which many of the
common species can be managed, their popularity has been steadily increasing. Many are
easy to maintain in good health for years, requiring only
suitable food and reasonable protection from severe weather.
Since doves and pigeons raise their own young to maturity, no
incubators or other artificial paraphernalia are required to
raise them.
The term "dove" refers to the small and medium-sized birds, such as the Bleeding-heart dove pictured at right, while large-sized birds like the Victoria Crowned Pigeon on the Gazette cover shown at the top right of this page usually go by "pigeon." In some species these terms are applied interchangeably. Doves and pigeons are considered to be "game birds" as many species have been hunted and used for food in many of thecountries in which they are native. It is very common for people who keep quail and pheasants to also raise pigeons and doves.
The Game Bird Gazette magazine provides information on how to successfully keep and breed pigeons and doves, including pigeon and dove feeding, housing, and other care requirements. You can also find doves and pigeons listed for sale in the doves and game bird breeders magazine.
Some breeders fee
l
it is best to start out with mated pairs of pigeons and doves,
preferably not over three years old, that have proven themselves
to be reliable breeders and feeders. This is also important since
some varieties are not easy to sex, in which case the beginner
may run the risk of getting two birds of the same sex. A good
pair of pigeons or doves may produce youngsters year in and year out for a
long time, for they are usually long-lived if given reasonably
good care and the right food.
Generally speaking, foreign
doves and pigeons are divided into two large groups–the
seedeaters and
the fruit-eaters (an example of the latter being
the Jambu Fruit Dove, a pair of which is pictured at left. The
so-called fruit pigeons as a general rule do not breed as
prolifically as the seed eating species. Moreover, they require
soft food in the form of boiled rice mixed with chopped fruit,
whereas seed-eaters require little else than various grains and
occasional mealworms and a little mynah-bird food. Fruit-pigeons
are not suitable for small aviaries since their copious soft
dropping, unless frequently removed, are likely to cause an
unsightly, smelly mess. However, if large, spacious enclosures
are available for them, they are likely to do quite well in them.
Owing to their usually colorful plumage, pigeons and doves are
much prized by many bird-lovers. Our discussion here will focus
mainly on seed-eating doves and pigeions, of which currently many
varieties are to be found in fanciers' hands.