RolyPoly
15 posts
Dec 05, 2004
1:04 PM
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We'd like to know what caused our two breeding pairs to fail so much this past year, so we can help them have more babies next spring. Both pairs are very young. RolyPoly and his hen had four babies, one from each laying. For some reason they couldn't raise two babies at a time. Weren't we feeding them enough? The other pair had a baby that died only a day or two old and then raised two to adulthood. Should we provide them with bowls to nest in? We have boxes nailed to the wall of the coop in which the pigeons make messy nests of pine needles and feathers. How can we help them have better success? Thanks for any help for us newbies. We love our pigeon bunch. Phil and Debbie
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Steve S.
22 posts
Dec 05, 2004
1:35 PM
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Hello Phil and Debbie,
Yes it is better to use bowls or paper bowls I keep 2 bowls for each pair so they can lay the 2nd set of eggs.
I wean mine at 28 days.
Make sure your breeders are wormed about 2 weeks before you put them together so they don't pass it one to the youngsters.
Worms might kill them withen a day or 2 of hatching.
Also put about 7-10 drops of (tamed)iodone in a gallon of water about once a week , this helps kill bacteria in the eggs and you will get better hatches.
Also I use apple cider vinegar to keep the acid level up in the breeding loft to kill samonella and e-coli bacteria.1 teaspoon per gallon 2 times a week.
If you think your hens have bacteria in the ovaduct try giving a 7 day regimine of amoxicillin before putting them together.
Give the breeders plenty grit all the time and feed them what they will clean up at 1 feeding.
Other than that I don't know what else can be done.
Hope this helps.
Steve
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RolyPoly
16 posts
Dec 05, 2004
4:26 PM
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Thanks Steve, we'll print this out and keep it for reference.
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