The ideal nest box system
(Internet Published) Mar 2002
Basically, shelves along the back wall of the breeders loft, usually 3 tiers
with not less than 1 foot of space between each shelf. From back to front,
these shelves should be not less than 1 foot.
Pigeons, being aggressive, will not tolerate unseparated nest bowls side by
side along shelves, so separators must be fitted which allow each pair to
have its own box. Therefore, each pair will have a box 1 foot high, 1 foot
from front to back and I suggest, 1 1/2 feet wide. Any less floor space will
result in cramped conditions and the actual nest will become fouled.
Usually, another clutch of eggs is laid before the current squabs are old
enough to be taken away and weaned, so some floor space is essential
otherwise the actual nest becomes impractical and the incubation and safety
of the next clutch of eggs becomes doubtful. Some kind of nest box front
should be fitted otherwise the squabs will get out and onto the loft floor.
If they do they will be savaged by the non-parent cocks.
It is essential to get the pairs established and used to their own boxes
before the first clutch of eggs is produced - Therefore we have only about 1
week to supervise and train the pairs. Some of the pairs are incredibly
stupid and often get into wrong boxes so that it takes a lot of time and
patience to teach then and stop the fights.
The nest bowl or nest frame should not be more than 2 inches deep. The nest
box floor should have a carpet of clean wood chippings, also 2 inches deep
so that the floor level is built up to the level of the nest bowl rim.
Otherwise, if the nest bowl is deeper, the squabs may get out of the nest
and be unable to crawl back into the nest to be incubated at night. If this
happens cold and dead squabs will be found the next morning on the nest box
floor. Fouled wood chippings should be replaced every day.
I suggest that as a few pairs as possible are kept because the more we have
the more problems occur. The breeders loft should be insulated from winds
and draughts, because these kill more squabs than frost.