Mary Allen
Pigeons usually build poor nests. Damaged eggs can result. A deep litter in the nest box is a simple way to remedy this problem.
At the moment one has the impression that one is experiencing a return to old times in many areas of life. Magazines that depict life in earlier times, handicrafts, or food are experiencing unprecedented popularity. There is no question that some things are presented here in a too positive light. And yet it seems as if many people have realized that not everything that is new is an improvement. This also applies to pigeon breeding.
An almost sterile pigeon keeping was propagated by some experts. In contrast, there have always been breeders who prefer a very natural attitude. Sometimes one had the impression that these two camps were irreconcilably opposed. It would be desirable for everyone to listen carefully to the arguments. Finally, the reasons for one or the other are worth considering.
Much has been written about nest cells. After all, the main events take place in this area of the loft during the breeding season. As a rule, nest cells are planned so large that mating can take place in them. This has the advantage that there are no disturbances. Nevertheless, the sizes of the nest cells vary greatly from breed to breed. The experience of each individual breeder cannot be overestimated here.
It Used to be Possible Without Nesting Bowls
The same applies to the nesting bowls. But here, too, every breeder has his preference. He is guided by the preferences of the breed he has bred. Especially with larger pigeon breeds, more and more wooden frames are used. Since they lack the actual floor, the growers pad them out or attach the foam to the floor. This usually works very well and is also very well accepted by the pigeons. What all nesting aids have in common is that the pigeons should breed in a prepared place.
In earlier times this was not always the case. Especially in the case of pigeon breeds, which were kept in free flight without much fanfare, nesting bowls were not available. The dovecotes were up in the roof and were rarely mucked up. They were completely dry, so the health of the pigeons was not affected. On the contrary: when the pigeons wanted to nest, they made a slight hollow on the ground. If available, this was padded with some nesting material. If there were nest cells, it was not uncommon for a nest to be built from different things. At the latest after a brood, a so-called droppings ring was present, which dried off completely. The pigeons then incubated the next clutch.
Such methods are no longer used today, even if the breeders have had great success with them. The main reason for this approach was the very low effort. Because the pigeons were kept more or less incidentally on the farms. At that time, there were only very few cases of breeding that were so goal-oriented and strictly based on a standard. That’s different today.
Different Bedding Material
Nevertheless, in the meantime, many of today’s breeders have remembered the earlier circumstances. In doing so, they have tried to suppress the disadvantages and transfer the advantages. The result of these efforts was a kind of deep litter in the nest box. So as it is offered on the floor by some breeders.
The base is a deeply littered nest box on the entire nest box floor. The layer often reaches up to ten centimeters in height. The bedding material used is different. Depending on what the grower prefers, he uses dust-free wood shavings or sawdust. This is very cheap and available everywhere. Due to the light material, the pigeons can easily create a hollow and pad it out. In addition, the breeder gives straw, hay, and usual nest-building material.
Still, others go one step further and litter the entire nest cell with straw. The pigeons then only have to make a hollow and have a perfect nest. As an extremely interesting alternative, a grower used dried lawn clippings from the previous year, as they come from the lawnmower. This is very light, yet compact and is readily accepted by the pigeons.
The goals of any type of deep litter in the nest cell are always the same: the pigeons should be able to freely choose the location of the nest in the nest cell. If you try it once, you will quickly realize how differently the pigeons choose here. Some rather further forward, others further back, still others in the middle. Due to the good padding of the nest, there is almost no risk of the laid eggs being damaged. It is precisely this aspect that must be taken into account for couples who tend to be poor nest builders. Some breeders take to securing the homemade nest with a wooden frame or something similar. This is highly recommended, especially if the litter depth is slightly lower.
Feces Give Stability to the Nest
At the latest after one brood, a certain amount of feces has accumulated. With the exception of breeds that have very high moisture content in the feces during the nestling phase, it does not need to be removed. The droppings give strength to the nest and form a solid floor. At the latest with the next clutch, you will appreciate that. The chicks have a very good grip in such a nest. Straddle legs are unknown in such nests. It is sufficient if all deep nest cell litter is removed at the end of the breeding season. Under certain circumstances, however, it may also be necessary to remove a part beforehand. With a little experience, the breeder can assess this very quickly.
The deep litter method in the nest box may seem strange and even repulsive at first glance. It’s a bit more rustic and natural. However, anyone who has tried it will find out how much the pigeons like it. Even in pigeon breeding, the path is the goal. Even if this is sometimes unusual.