Pigeons breed guide
Loft design, feed, and breeding for homing, fancy, and utility pigeons.
History & origins
- The rock dove was domesticated in the Middle East over 5,000 years ago and served as the world's first air-mail network.
- Racing homers, fancy breeds, and utility squabbing pigeons all split from that same stock.
Care & housing
- A dry, airy loft with individual nest boxes and perches is the whole game — damp lofts cause most pigeon disease.
- Feed a pigeon grain mix with grit and pickstone; add extra protein and fat during racing or breeding season.
- Settle young birds to the loft before any free flying, and vaccinate for PMV where required.
Breeding tips
- Pigeons pair-bond, lay two eggs, and both parents feed crop milk — no brooder needed.
- Eggs hatch in 17-18 days; a pair can raise several rounds a season if fed well.
- Band youngsters at 5-7 days with seamless bands to keep pedigrees straight.