Pigeon farming is a very interesting, profitable business and pigeons are very popular as domestic birds in Bangladesh. Almost all types of people who have facilities and interest love to raise and pet pigeons in their home. These birds have been raised and nurtured in our country for a very long time and are also considered as a symbol of peace. Unlike many other domestic animals and birds, pigeon farming requires less labor and low investment. If you have a good amount of free time and love for birds, you can easily raise and take care of them on your rooftop of even in your balconies.
The meat of baby pigeons (squab) is very tasty, highly nutritious, and revitalizing for our health. Squabs also have a huge demand and price in the marketplaces. Also, pigeons with good bloodline and quality have high demand in the marketplaces for various other purposes, such as- racing, breeding, etc. That is why pigeon farming can be a great source of some extra income and recreation for people in Bangladesh.
Modern methods of raising pigeons are much more profitable than the traditional way. So, to properly start and succeed in the pigeon farming business, you have to use the modern rearing techniques and take good care of your birds. Today we are going to talk about the advantages and different aspects of pigeon farming and also the basic steps for starting this profitable business at home. Also know about Racing Pigeons, a Bangladeshi Passion.
Advantages of Pigeon Farming
Pigeon farming can offer some great benefits in both financial and recreational ways. Some of the notable advantages of this business are as follows-
- From around six months of their age, they start laying eggs and produce at least two baby pigeon per month on average.
- Pigeons can be raised easily in the your yard or rooftop of the house.
- It takes about 18 to 20 days to hatch the eggs.
- The cost of pigeon feed is very low. In most cases, they collect food by themselves.
- Pigeon and squab meat is very tasty, nutritious and has a great demand and value in the marketplaces.
- You can get maximum profit out of them, by investing only some small capital and labor. Their price depends on their breed, quality, egg and squab production rate. Most people are likely to see profit in their business within 3-4 months. But sometimes it takes time to actually gain a significant amount of profit per month.
- Chances of disease are comparatively low in pigeons.
- Faeces of pigeons is a good fertilizer for crops, garden and household plants.
- Pigeon feathers can be used to make different types of toys.
- Pigeons help to keep our environment and crops safe by eating different types of insects.
- The squabs have a great demand in the marketplaces as a nutritious diet for patients and old people.
- Pigeon farming is also very fulfilling and entertaining altogether. You can have a wonderful time watching the pigeons roam around you and sitting on your shoulder or lap.
Life cycle
Pigeons are generally raised in pairs. A pair of male and female pigeons tend to spend their whole life together. Also, they can survive for up to 12 to 15 years. Male and female both collect straws together and build a small nest for raising their family. Female pigeons start laying eggs around the age of 5-6 months. Each time the couple lays two eggs and they can keep breeding with consistency for about 6 to 8 years.
Both male and female pigeons take turns to hatch their eggs. Usually, it takes about 18 to 20 days to hatch the eggs. The stomach of the parent pigeons produces crop milk 2 days before the eggs hatch, which they feed to their babies for 4 days. Female pigeons feed their babies ground semi-solid food for ten days with their mouth. After that, the babies start taking supplementary food on their own. At the age of 26 days, they become fully adult.