Provide appropriate food
About ten days before breeding the pigeons, gradually switch from the moulting or winter mixture to a breeding mixture, such as Start Plus I.C + or Kweek Subliem.
To get your winter breeders in an even better condition, you can also mix Ferti-Oil (vitamin E) in the feed, together with Form Mix Plus (to improve their condition). You can continue to do this daily until the second egg has been laid. By doing this, you ensure a quick and easy coupling, consistent and smooth laying, and a fertilization rate.
Couple the pigeons beforehand, if possible
To further facilitate coupling and to reduce the risk of fights when you want to breed pigeons in winter, it is also advantageous to “pre-couple” the breeding pair. Place them in a “half-box” two to three weeks before the actual coupling. Doing so allows the pigeons to get to know each other so they will immediately recognize and accept their partner two to three weeks later.
Advice for fertilization and laying
Breeding pigeons is difficult if there are too many ‘prying eyes’ in the loft. Therefore, keep the couple in their nest box for a few days before laying, a few hours before nightfall. That way, the rest of the flock is not disturbed during mating and the chance of unfertilized eggs and fights is greatly reduced.
What about moving eggs? Many enthusiasts will move or buy eggs the first round. Sometimes, however, problems arise with large differences in laying dates between eggs. Remember that you can store eggs perfectly fine for eight days before laying them. Keep them in a box with round seed in a dark cupboard at room temperature. Turn the eggs twice a day and cover them at the appropriate time. Please note, the eggs must not be incubated yet when you take them away!
Normally, hens start laying a week after pairing. However, every fancier has already experienced a pigeon already laying an egg after three or four days. Don’t panic: it is quite possible that this egg has been fertilized. Fertilization of the eggs only takes place in the last days before laying and it’s only when the shell has fully formed that an egg can no longer be fertilized. So don’t throw those eggs away. Let them incubate for eight days and then check whether or not they have been fertilized.