Investigation of the Reproductive Behavior of Tarim Pigeons

Abstract

This study aims to investigate pigeon behavior across various stages of the breeding period and document their behavioral frequencies to contribute to the theoretical foundation for pigeon breeding and management. The experiment involved ten pairs of pigeons in the incubation period, nine pairs of parent pigeons within the first ten days of the nurturing period, and nine pairs of parent pigeons with chicks above ten days. The direct observation method records behaviors from 8:22 to 22:00 daily. Our results revealed that the female pigeon was primarily responsible for incubation during the incubation period, followed by male pigeons. The average incubation duration for female pigeons was 7.94 hours, primarily concentrated between 8:22 − 13:00 and 20:00–22:00. The average incubation duration for male pigeons was 4.05 hours, mainly occurring between 13:00–20:00. Pigeon feed intake and frequency during the nursing period exceeded that of the incubation period, and both increased with offspring age. During the breeding period, feeding behavior peaked at 8:22 − 10:00, 13:00–14:00, and 19:00–21:00; drinking behavior peaked at 13:00–14:00 and 20:00–21:00, with feeding behavior being most frequent at 13:00–14:00; mating behavior predominantly occurred between 17:00–22:00. Artificial feeding affects the behavioral rhythms of pigeons, particularly in feeding and nursing behaviors.