For 35 years, EUROPIGEON has been offering the French and international industry pigeon genetics that are constantly evolving in response to an equally changing market. Breeding birds are available in two different forms:
- The 4-week-old breeding pigeon (PR)
- The 7-month-old ready-to-lay pair (PAP)
This year, we will present the journey of a breeding pigeon (PR) or, more accurately, a ‘future breeder’. The term is perhaps not entirely appropriate, as a young pigeon cannot be a breeder in its current state.
The breeding pigeon, how is it made ?
The young pigeons offered as future breeders are therefore PS (Parent Stock) from our GP (Grand Parent) pairs according to the three genetic patterns currently in use, namely white, coloured or piebald MIRTHYS.
5,000 Grand Parent pairs are spread over two sites and produce between 1,200 and 1,300 squabs per week.
Some of these young pigeons will be used to supply Ready to Lay pairs (PAP) and will therefore pass through our breeding centres. The rest will be distributed directly to our customers at 4 or 5 weeks of age, depending on the options chosen.
PS pigeons ready to leave our breeders (for breeding or sale)
Preparation before delivery
Before delivery, here are a few steps that will give the future breeding animal the best possible start with the breeder.
It all starts at weaning, when the animals are collected once or twice a week at a maximum age of four weeks. After an initial sorting, the animals are grouped together and placed in our post-weaning facility. A post-weaning building is very similar to a rabbit hutch, with wire mesh cages equipped with a feeder and a pipette.
The feed offered is a complete pellet feed called ‘Jeunes repros’ specially developed by ARRIVE-BELLANE, containing 13% total nitrogen (protein), approximately 4% fat and 5% crude fibre. A mineral and vitamin supplement (CMV) is incorporated into the feed, providing our young birds with everything they need.
Unlike in a pen or aviary, here the young birds have easy access to water and food (in the immediate proximity). And we all know that weaning is a delicate phase because young birds, which are often frightened, sometimes find it very difficult to feed themselves in an environment that is too large.
It is during this week-long phase that interventions are carried out, such as vaccination against paramyxovirus (PMV). It is also during this period that our customers can choose from the options available:
- First Salmonella vaccination
- Additional week of post-weaning (to facilitate the start of rearing)
- Supply and application of an identification wing tag
- We also offer the option of sexing the batch (6 months after delivery)
After the first sorting, the animals are placed in a post-weaning facility, where feed is carefully prepared and easily accessible.
The day of delivery
Once the weaning phase is complete, on the day of delivery, a second sorting is carried out to ensure that 100% of the young pigeons delivered have been properly started.
This preparation phase is essential, and many of our breeders tell us that they achieve much better results with the young birds supplied than with those kept in self-renewal.
40,000 young birds (equivalent to 18,000 pairs) joined various farms throughout France in 2024, and the technical results for each batch demonstrate the value of this product. This encourages us to continue along this path.
Delivery to a customer in Vendée
