How to Breed Dove Species

Most dove and pigeon species make excellent companions, if handled from a young age. Doves were originally domesticated and bred to transport messages and small parcels. Some dove enthusiasts still use the birds in this fashion; however, most doves are now bred for companionship and competition. Doves can be housed indoors--provided they have a cage large enough to stretch their wings and fly. They can also be housed outdoors in aviaries in areas with warm climates. Before breeding doves, ensure you have a large enough cage or aviary with ample perching areas, with perches of different diameters. If the doves will be housed in an outdoor aviary, provide a place of shelter from the wind, rain and sun.

Things You'll Need

  • Male dove
  • Female dove
  • Nesting box or nesting pan, made from wood,plastic, ceramic or woven basket
  • Nesting material, coconut fiber or grass hay
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Instructions

    • 1

      First you will have to establish a mating pair. All dove species are monogamous and a bonded pair will mate for life. Since a pair that is not compatible will not mate, breeders usually leave young birds together until their first molt and allow them to find a mate on their own. In areas with warm climates, doves will usually breed the year round with short rest periods. In most climates however, doves tend to nest during warmer months--spring and summer. Occasionally, same-sex parings will occur. Same-sex hen pairings will still lay eggs--often, three or more at a time, but they will be unfertilized.

    • 2

      Supply the mated pair with nesting materials. For most dove species, a nesting platform-- such as a shallow box, pan, or basket, will suffice. You can find these materials and commercial nesting sites for sale at you local pet store. Species of doves that require hole nesting should be proved with a nesting box. to encourage nesting, place some of the nesting material--coconut fiber, grass hay or moss --- inside the nesting site and scatter the rest on ledges. This will trigger instincts in both parents and they will begin to build their nest.

    • 3

      Most dove species will produce an average of two eggs. You can indicate that a female is about to lay eggs by observing her droppings. They will be significantly larger than usual --almost about the size of an egg . Incubation lasts for 13 to 19 days. For the first 5 days after hatching, the parent doves will feed their young a nutritious pale yellow, semi-solid substance that is generated from parents' crop called crop milk. Fledging--doves developing wing feathers that are large enough for flight--occurs 12 to 20 days after hatching.