What are the breeds of meat pigeons?

Meat pigeons generally belong to heavy pigeons, which are mainly characterized by large size, wide chest and round back, plump muscles, tender and juicy muscle fibers, stout legs, gentle temperament, do not like to fly, and easy to raise. The growth rate of young pigeons is fast and the fecundity is strong. A pair of improved meat pigeons can raise 6-10 pairs of young pigeons a year. In general, the body weight of young pigeons is similar to that of parent pigeons, or even more than that of their parents.

For more than one hundred years, pigeon breeders all over the world have cultivated many excellent meat pigeon breeds through a variety of cross breeding methods. According to statistics, there are about 40 species of meat pigeons in the world. Here, some main excellent varieties at home and abroad are briefly introduced.

1. American landing king pigeon

American landing king pigeon, also known as white feather king pigeon, is an improved breed of meat pigeon bred in the United States. The feathers of this pigeon are mostly white, with few other colors. Generally, the adult male pigeon weighs 0.8-1 kg and the female pigeon weighs 0.6-0.8 kg. It can lay 7-8 nests a year. The young pigeon is fat, fresh and tender, and is the best on the table.

2. Rent pigeon

Lunte pigeon originated in Spain, weighing 1.15-1.25 kg, feathers are mostly gray second-line, with white as the best.

3. Canu pigeon

Canu pigeons are produced in Belgium and northern France. The pigeon has a burly appearance, thick neck, wide chest, short wings and tight drooping feathers. The weight of male pigeon is 0.8 kg, that of female pigeon is 0.75 kg, and that of squab is about 0.5 kg at 18 days old. Gentle temperament, easy to raise. Feathers are red, white, black, yellow and other colors, mostly white, can be used as meat and ornamental pigeons.

4. Herm pigeon

Helm pigeon is one of the famous meat pigeon breeds in the world. The weight of adult pigeons can reach about 1 kg, and that of squab is about 0.5 kg. This pigeon grows fast and lays 6-8 pairs of eggs a year. Its feathers are blue, white, red, brown, yellow and so on.

5. Mengdan pigeon

Mengdan pigeon is not good at flying and likes to walk, so it is also called ground pigeon. Originally from France, it was later divided into Swiss ground pigeon strains. This pigeon has a large body size, a body weight of about 1 kg, delicate meat, mild temperament, good egg laying and incubation performance, and mixed feathers, so it is suitable for indoor breeding.

6. Luntuo pigeon

Luntuo pigeon, produced in Italy, is the largest and heaviest strain of meat pigeon. The weight of adult pigeons is generally more than 1 kilogram. Feathers are mostly white and gray, not good at flying, good hatching performance, 8-10 pairs of pigeons, plump muscles, short shape, square, strong disease resistance.

7. Shi Qipu

Shi Qi pigeon, produced in Shiqi County, Guangdong Province, is a famous domestic meat pigeon breed. Its size is similar to that of the king pigeon, but it is longer than the king pigeon in size, flat head and neck, long nose and fine eyes, long adaptability, gray second line and fine rain spots, white and black colors, weight 0.6-0.9 kg, 7-9 pairs of pigeons per year, extensive and easy to raise, resistant to rough feeding. The meat is delicate and often has a unique flavor of lilacs.

8. Guangdong meat pigeon

Guangdong meat pigeon is a famous meat pigeon breed in China. The weight is 0.65-0.75 kg, more than 6 pairs of pigeons are born annually, and the weight of 3-4-week-old pigeons can reach more than 0.5 kg with variegated feathers.

9. Kunming pigeon

Kunming pigeon body weighs 0.5-0.7 kg and has the characteristics of rapid growth, easy fattening, saving feed and mixed feathers.