Large scale production of White Carneaux pigeons with reliable pedigrees: reproductive characteristics and parent-offspring identification.
The loft-breeding method was used for the production of 439 White Carneaux pigeons with reliable pedigrees. During the 1-year study, annual productivity averaged 10.5 offspring per parental pair, with a mean of 1.5 offspring per clutch. Early mortality was 13%; most deaths occurred during the first 10 days of age. Eighty-six percent of the clutches contained two eggs, 54% of which hatched. Only 23% of the single-egg clutches hatched. A majority of breeding pairs in the colony made alternate use of two adjacent nests. A seasonal variation was observed in the time intervals between successive clutches; the shortest intervals (37 days) occurred from March through July, while the longest intervals (119 days) occurred in midwinter. A regular daily pattern of parental nest hovering was seen: males incubated eggs and hovered newly hatched birds from 1000 until late afternoon, while females occupied the nests the remainder of the time. The loft-breeding method required frequent observations and accurate record keeping but, compared to individual mating of caged pairs, it had the advantages of lower cost and reduced management problems. The large outdoor lofts allowed the pigeons exercise, group social interactions, and exposure to natural environmental conditions.
D000818:Animals; D000830:Animals, Laboratory / Q000502:physiology*; D010856:Columbidae / Q000502:physiology*; D005260:Female; D008297:Male; D009425:Nesting Behavior; D010058:Oviposition; D010152:Pair Bond; D010375:Pedigree; D012098:Reproduction; D012621:Seasons; D012744:Sex Ratio