Among domestic birds, the pigeon is the most popular. In ancient times pigeons were kept to carry letters, and around the world the pigeon is called the "messenger of peace". Keeping pigeons costs little extra, and they are easily tamed, which is why many households keep them.

Pigeon meat is very tasty and nourishing, so commercial pigeon rearing can bring a profit in a short time. Pigeons normally live in pairs, each pair a male and a female. They live for 12-15 years and keep producing young from eggs as long as they live. After the eggs are laid, the female and male take turns to sit on them.

If a pair suddenly breaks up, it causes some trouble: to form a new pair, a male and female must be kept together in one house for some days. But pigeon rearing has more advantages than drawbacks.

• A good breed of pigeon lays 12 pairs of eggs a year. Almost every egg hatches, and within the next four weeks the young are ready to eat or sell.
• Among domestic birds, pigeons can be tamed and reared.
• They can be kept in very little space, even in a hanging basket, so the cost of keeping them is very low.
• Most pigeons find their own food, so feeding needs little extra care or cost.
• Housing needs no special care. They can be kept in a wooden house in the yard or on the roof, or even in a basket.
• A pigeon takes 5-6 months to start laying. Many people choose squabs as a diet for patients.
• Eggs normally hatch in only 18 days, and the birds keep increasing their numbers naturally, generation after generation.
• Many people choose pigeon meat as an alternative to chicken or to migratory birds.

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