Bangladesh has about 20 breeds of pigeon. The country's climate and vast croplands are very suitable for rearing them. Pigeons play a useful role in supplying family nutrition, bringing prosperity, adding beauty and providing an alternative source of income, so you can easily take up pigeon rearing.

Breeds: although 120 breeds of pigeon have been found worldwide, only about 20 are found in Bangladesh. They include King, Carneau, Mondain, American Giant Homer, Runt, Racing Homer, Horseman, Birmingham Roller, Flying Tippler or Flying Homer, Tumbler, Cumulet, Maltese, Carrier, White Fantail, Timbaler, Pouters, Nuns, Siraji, Jalali, Bangla, Giribaj, Lotan, Bombay and Gobinda. Of these, local and meat pigeons are reared all over Bangladesh, while racing, flying and ornamental pigeons are kept as a hobby or commercially.

Breeding facts: an adult pigeon weighs 250 to 800 grams depending on the breed and reaches maturity at five to six months. A pigeon lays a pair of eggs each time, the second about 48 hours after the first. Its breeding life is five to six years. The eggs are incubated for 17 to 19 days before hatching; the chicks open their eyes in four to five days and grow feathers in 10 to 12 days. They are ready for market at 28 to 30 days. A pigeon lives 15 to 20 years.

Benefits: pigeon rearing needs little investment and is very easy, and the breeding cycle is short. It can raise the income of unemployed young men and destitute women. Pigeons can be kept in a small space on little feed and suffer few diseases. The meat is tasty, nutritious and easy to digest, making pigeons a source of animal protein, and their droppings can be used as organic fertiliser.

Source: Jagonews24. First published in Bengali on The Agro News.