The pigeon breeding timeline

From pairing to weaning takes around eight weeks. These are the usual stages and when to expect them.

From pairing to a weaned youngster is about eight weeks. These are typical figures, and birds and weather vary.

Pairing and laying

After pairing, the birds settle and build a nest, and the hen usually lays her first egg within about ten days. The second follows about two days later, and proper sitting starts then, so the two eggs tend to hatch close together.

Sitting

Cock and hen share the sitting. Count from the second egg. If nothing has happened a few days past the due date, the eggs are likely not going to hatch.

Ringing

Ring when the foot is big enough to hold the ring but small enough that it still slides over the toes, usually at around 6 or 7 days. Check daily: left too long, the ring will no longer go on.

Weaning

At around four weeks young birds are eating for themselves and can move to the young bird section. Often the parents have already gone back to a new round by then.

Get the dates for a nest from the hatch date calculator. MyPigeons.net can keep the rounds and remind you when eggs are due and young are ready to ring.

Related

• Pigeon hatch date calculator
• Pigeon breeding records