Teach you to identify the age of pigeons

Knowing the identification method of pigeon age is of great significance for timely pairing breeding and selection of improved breeds. Pigeons generally live for 10 ~ 15 years, but the best reproductive age of breeding pigeons is 2 ~ 4 years old, and the ideal breeding age of excellent carrier pigeons is 2 ~ 5 years old.

The age of pigeons can usually be identified in the following ways:

To identify according to the shape of the pigeon's peck and the knots at the corners of the mouth:

The older the age, the blunt and smoother the end of the peck. The end of the pigeon chant is sharp, soft and slender; the peck of the child pigeon is thicker and hard; the adult pigeon is thicker and shorter, and the end is harder and slippery. As a result of feeding suckling pigeons, adult pigeons have cocoons in the corners of their mouths and form scabs. The older you are, the more babies you feed, the bigger the cocoons in the corners of the mouth will grow, and the scabs on both sides of the corners of the mouths of pigeons that have been produced for more than 5 years are like sawtooth.

Identify according to the change of pigeon feathers:

The main wing feather is used to identify the age of the child pigeon. The pigeon has a total of 10 main wing feathers. the first one begins to be replaced at the age of 2 months, and one in sequence after 13-16 days. when the pigeon is about 6 months old, the pigeon is mature and can be paired and produced. Pigeon deputy main wing feathers 12, mainly to identify the age of adult pigeons. The vice-main wing feathers change one root sequentially from the inside to the outside every year, and the changed feathers appear dark and clean.

According to the number of flexible hairs and wrinkles on the naked skin around the eyes of pigeons:

The eyes of young pigeons are smarter, the eyes of young pigeons and young adult pigeons are bright, the nictitating membrane flashes faster, and the eyes of old pigeons are sluggish and nimble. In addition, the wrinkles of the naked skin around the eyes of young pigeons are very fine, and with the increase of the age of pigeons, the wrinkles of naked skin become thicker and thicker.

According to the size and color of the pigeon nose tumor:

The nose tumor of squab is ruddy, while that of child pigeon is light red and shiny. For more than two years, the nose tumor of pigeon has a thin pink white. For more than four or five years, the nose tumor of pigeon becomes white and rough, while the nose tumor of pigeon for more than 10 years appears dry and rough. The nose tumor of pigeon also increases slightly with the increase of age.

According to the size and presence of the pigeon's supraluminal sac:

The pigeon's supraluminal sac is located above the cloacal cavity. The supraluminal bursa of the child pigeon is larger and becomes smaller when it is an adult. After a few years, the supraluminal sac becomes very small, or only a few traces are left.

To identify according to the color of the pigeon's feet and the thickness of the scales:

Children's pigeon feet are bright red in color, with inconspicuous scales, soft and flat scales, soft and pointed toenails, and soft and slippery pads. Pigeon feet have been dark red for more than two years, with fine and bright scales, scales and toenails that are slightly hard and curved. The pigeon feet for more than 5 years are purplish red, the scales are prominent and rough, the hairs are attached to small white scales, the toenails are rough and curved, and the pads are thick and rough.

To identify by the anklet of a pigeon:

The anklets of meat pigeons and ornamental pigeons are often marked with a number only, which can be determined according to the time when the anklet is registered; the birth date is often marked on the anklet of homing pigeons, from which the age can be known.