Small breeding project

[Evan Garris]

How would I go about starting a small breeding projecct? I think one or two pairs would be enough. Just something to help cover the cost and to give me experiance. Also I got a pic of that pigeon I like at the WLRC(wildlife rehab centre). You have to click on the birds album and scroll to the second page. Its all white. Heres a link to the pic. http://community.webshots.com/photo/...44269931gqbuzy

Heres a link to all my albums http://community.webshots.com/user/crawldaddy888

[BillC]

May I suggest to check your local library. There are many books on breeding pigeons and a lots of things to consider like housing and once they begin to breed they won't stop.They'll require a lots of dedication from you. And it's not that cheap to get setup. Good luck. Let us know how you do.

[Christina Coughlin]

One thing that I have noticed about animals and raising them to "cover costs" is that it doesn't work.

The breeder I got mine from even releases his white ones for weddings, funerals and all that and he can just cover basic food costs not even supplements, medical, or repairs and building of new lofts and he has at least 40+ pairs. I got 5 pairs from him at one time and he still had twice that number to sell and was starting to work with Rollers too! I just figure that if I want to make any kind of money to help cover cost with animals then I have to come up with the stuff to sell. We are working on putting together a yard sale right now and we have a spare change jar, it all helps.

I would also suggest finding a pigeon club in your area that you could join and talk to some people there and find out what would be more specific for your area since you are thinking about raising birds to help cover the costs of the birds you would plan to keep.

Just some ideas...

[Thunderbird]

Actually Christina,
You can cover costs depending on what you are doing. If white birds are the goal, then 'white dove releases' at weddings/funerals/other occasions can be quite lucrative. I do this as a side line with my racers and made over $1900 above what was spent last year. I do it as a schedule C business, so all gas, training advertisement is covered. When I made up flyers and put them out, I was swamped for 6 months! I stayed w/in a 30 mile radius, so losses were very minimal, (except for falcons getting their share). It works well & covered all feed & supplies. Granted, it doesn't even come close to the time covered with the birds, but that is my stress release, so they are kind've paying me, unknowingly. lol