Description of King pigeons
Until recently, Kinga pigeons, used only in cooking, today adorn bird exhibitions and fairs. This breed was bred from the parent Vikings and Post, and to this day it does not lose its popularity among poultry breeders.
Description of King pigeons
There is a lot of writing and debate about the benefits of pigeon meat and the peculiarities of growing the King breed. This species of birds has caused a resonance among farmers and owners of large farms.
Description of King birds
King pigeons have predominantly white plumage (there are species in which the color of the feathers varies to golden brown or black), a thin skeleton, a small wingspan and a massive body. Their mass is usually 600-800 grams, but in some cases it can reach 1.5 kg.
A detailed description of the subspecies of this bird shows what is its superiority over other subspecies. Kings possess:
- well developed and rounded chest;
- small black or yellow eyes;
- powerful beak;
- short feathers;
- strong paws of medium length without plumage;
- short tail;
- wide back.
This subspecies is quite aggressive and is a low-flying species. The plumage color can range to milky, golden, coffee or silver.
External beauty, as well as the ability to quickly adapt, makes this breed especially in demand, but keeping it with other breeds is not recommended.
Maintenance and breeding
King meat pigeons are unpretentious in care and maintenance, their only drawback is some aggressiveness, however, they can coexist peacefully with chickens.
They need spacious open-air cages or cages, implying the possibility of free walking, otherwise the chicks will develop poorly and this will affect their growth and weight.
Food
In this aspect, the King pigeon does not bring much trouble, eating everything the same as chickens or ordinary pigeons: legumes and cereals. Can be fed with sunflowers, oats, corn, millet, barley, peas, etc.
In addition, it is important to introduce vitamin and mineral complexes into the diet of such birds. This aspect is not mandatory, but it has a beneficial effect on the development of the chicks' body, the period of their maturation and future fertility, preventing and protecting against various kinds of diseases.
Location of nests
Due to their massive body and short wings, King pigeons do not fly as well as other birds and are weak. This requires the location of bird nests on floors or very low elevations with a ladder nearby.
It is recommended to maintain a distance of several meters between the nests, otherwise the birds may not want to perch so close to each other.
Reproduction and fertility
Such birds have good egg production and are ready to extend the genus already at the age of 6-8 months. Doves lay eggs 10-15 days after mating.The number of eggs is standard for this breed: 1-2. One week after laying the egg, the breeder should check for the presence of an embryo inside. Sometimes there are cases of incubation of unfertilized eggs by females.
Meat breeds, in contrast to show breeds, are distinguished by a more developed parental instinct.
The female and the male incubate the offspring together and take turns feeding the chicks. This behavior ensures that they are more fertile than the King show pigeons.
One pair of pigeons of this breed during the year can bring up to 15 chicks with proper and high-quality care: warmth and good lighting in the aviary in winter, sufficient provision of birds with food and drinking water.
Chicks
Raising chicks takes place systematically under the vigilant care of their parents. Females feed newborn chicks with goiter milk, and from the sixth week teach them to feed on their own.
Large and fleshy chicks are born with a small mass, it seems from the photo that these are not pigeons, but sparrows. But by the fourth month of life, their weight reaches 600 g and is growing rapidly.
Breeding progress
In the process of selection, poultry farmers try to grow the most productive and fleshy poultry. The goal is achieved by crossing the King and sport breeds.
This allows you to increase the endurance and vital signs of the individual, and make the meat of higher quality and better. Such a product will become more useful and cleaner.
The benefits of pigeon meat
The dove is a bird whose meat is highly valued in many countries of the world. It is used in the preparation of dietary dishes, and in terms of chemical composition it is several times superior to chicken, since it contains a large amount of proteins and a minimum of fat.
The potential audience of pigeon meat consumers is gourmets or people who have certain restrictions in their diet. For example, those suffering from:
- hypertension;
- atherosclerosis;
- cardiovascular disease;
- problems with the gastrointestinal tract.
Nutritionists also recommend the use of pigeon by a patient with a general weakening of the immune system or suspected diabetes mellitus. With high sugar, pigeon meat will be unhealthy.
Before introducing such a dish into your diet, you need to consult with your doctor. Sometimes the lowest doses are helpful even with high sugar levels.
The advantages of breeding kings have been said more than once, but, summing up, a number of advantages can be distinguished:
- A single pigeon, about the size of an average chicken, requires less space, feed and water than a chicken.
- The pigeon does not need vaccinations and antibiotics, without which, for example, quails cannot do.
- Breeding the King breed is profitable: it brings tasty and healthy meat, and with it a good income from the sale.
- With the right content, which is simple and not too costly, kings are distinguished by good fertility.
- Show breeds can bring aesthetic pleasure, a new hobby and a small income to the owner.
People are accustomed to the fact that this bird should turn blue somewhere in the sky above the houses of high-rise buildings. But the new age is outside and the dove is not only a symbol of urban life and peace, but also an excellent source of income, nutrients and pleasure.
Pigeon meat is distinguished not only by its delicate taste, but also by good digestibility. The beef breed is in demand not only by individual farms, but also by whole farms.
Conclusion
By breeding King pigeons, you can create an additional source of income and good health, as well as improve your mood. This breed will be a great addition to any poultry breeder's collection. It is because of its unpretentiousness and the mass of positive qualities of adults, which fully pay off the high (above average) price for chicks, that this breed is so in demand.
For several years, having bought only a few pairs to begin with, you can acquire your own poultry farm, maintaining the proper level of comfort for kings. Show and meaty breeds can be compared by looking at the photo.