Pigeons usually choose one mate for life, but will normally take another quite

easily if their mate is removed.

To guarantee parentage separate mating or breeding cages are

recommended, as certain birds can be promiscuous. Eggs are laid within 7 to
12 days after pairs are put together, if they are settled and nests are ready.
Both sexes will assist in nest building, with the males more eager to carry
nesting material while the hens are at the nest, usually twigs and feathers, if
available. Where proper nesting material is not available pigeons, will gather
the strangest available nesting material, which includes, wire, nails and
string that can be very dangerous to eggs, babies and adult birds. The first
egg is usually laid in the late afternoon or early evening. The second, is laid
midday to early afternoon two days later. Young birds that lay their "maiden
eggs"; lay at various times, as some have difficulty in laying for the first
time.

The cock normally drives the hen to the nest and a hard driving cock makes
a very good partner for a hen that carries too much fat and finds difficulty in
laying. Generally two eggs, rarely three are laid. One egg when a hen is old
or younger hen is infertile. Single, small or oversized eggs can be laid at the
onset or the end of the reproduction cycle of the hen. The hen stands over
the first egg, until the second is laid and will only leave the nest at feeding
time or if the male comes to nest. Incubation period normally from 17 to19
days after second egg is laid. Usually incubation only seriously begins after
the second egg is laid, when the male too will also sit from mid-morning to
mid-afternoon. Very keen producers will sit longer. Young are usually
covered with yellow down. Babies usually called squabs, youngsters or
"squeakers". (squeak a lot when hungry or being harassed)

Normal sized racing pigeons need to be rung from the 5th day onwards.
Other larger fancy breeds may require earlier banding. The bigger breeds
with feathered legs require larger rings. Parent birds can be very protective
of their nests or young. Care must be taken when inspecting their nests to
avoid harm to the eggs or young. Young birds or nestlings can show the
same protective nature. Even at weaning young birds can carry the yellow
down on the tips of their first feathers, that is a good sign of health and
quality. Immature birds will first start moulting their body feathers to look
like adult birds before they moult their primary and secondary feathering. It
is not recommended that young birds be sent on training flights until their
eye colour adopts a lighter adult colour, nor should they be sent when they
are moulting round or over their ears. Racing pigeons ringed with the
current year rings are raced as "Babies or Young Birds" and compete as
"Yearlings" in the following year’s racing program. Certain pigeons mature
very quickly and can start reproducing from as early as four months old.
Racing pigeons have been known to exceed the age of 21 years. Fertility in
males has been recorded in excess of 18 years, in hens, up to14 years, if
she has not been breeding excessively each season. If a hen lays an egg
with a yolk or yellow she is fertile. Fertilisation of the egg cell can be
hindered by other factors, if the male is known to be fertile. To ensure
robustness of offspring males can be used longer for breeding than hens.
Most, top lofts very rarely use hens to breed or feed after 8 years of age,
after which their abilities to feed well, deteriorates. The hormone prolactin is
vital to the production of pigeon crop milk. The lack of this hormone can lead
to the inadequate production of this milk in both of the sexes as they age.
Older birds, from seasoned fanciers become an easier prospect for
beginners, but they require that more attention and the eggs should be
placed under "pumpers" or feeders. An older pair should only be allowed to
raise single young, if feeders are not available. Iodised minerals are advised
to keep the pituitary gland, active, which is responsible for a number of
essential hormones, that assist in the proper functions and growth of the
body. This gland found in the lower part of the head of the bird is stimulated
by longer hours of sunlight, i.e. spring when the breeding season of most
birds occurs. These gland is therefor also responsible for the moult of the
pigeon, hence the darkening, breeding and exposing the loft to harness
these factors to control, increase or retard the moult according to the desires
of a pigeon fancier. Failure of eggs to hatch can be attributed to a number of
factors, i.e. parents could have been disturbed on the nest and eggs have
chilled, the hen could be infected with paratyphoid which is transmitted to
the egg, very dry and hot nesting conditions (parents should be given
regular baths), not enough air ventilation in the nesting material and the
eggs smother (fine sand for nesting material or the nest has been water
logged), not enough magnesium in the mineral diet, parents do not incubate
the eggs for the full period (certain birds leave the nest prematurely, to
make another). Very often after the third breeding round male birds drive
the hen to put down the next set of eggs and their young can be neglected
in the process. Good stock hens will delay their desires and stick to the
proper feeding of her young before laying the next set of eggs. To overcome
the babies being underfed in such cases extra feeding bowls should be
placed close to, or in the nest compartments to allow the hen to feed. The
babies will also learn to eat at an earlier age and avoid any stunting of
normal growth.