breeding zebra dove and spotted dove

breeding zrebra dove and spotted dove

When breeder chose a pair of dove for breed, the first thing that needs to be prepared is the breeding cage. There’s no fix for the size of breeding cage. It depends on the area you have. Breeding cage should be made from wire net that can protect dove from enemies like rats, mice, and other carnivore animals. Then usually the height could be 45, 90, 135 or 180 cm / the width: 60 cm and lenght; 100 – 180 cm.

The floor of breeding cage should be filled with dry soil, or made from flat wood sheet because doves naturally feeding on the ground and this can make it feel like their nature. The cage need to place in the area that can get the morning sun light. The nest of the dove needs to be placed in a shade area.

The first time when breeder pair 2 doves together they should know each other before u put them together in the breeding cage. Put both of male and female in a separate cage and place their cage next to each other. After one or two week, when both of them know each other, they will show some behaviors like male bird stay near female at night. When we move male cage separated from female cage they begin to coo and call each other.

First put female dove in a breeding cage is a good technique to avoid fighting. The male dove cage should be placed near the breeding cage. After that a few days put male bird in that breeding cage. This evening time is a good period for them to be together because they don't have time to fight or show aggressive behavior. If they fight, make card board sheet as partitions for their shelter or put some few young birds to be their company so they not fight much.

In a breeding cage prepare some nest which is made from rattan, wooden box or another material in a bow shape in suitable size. Prepare 3-4 nests in breeding cage for them to choose. Dove will lay 2 eggs and take 14-15 days to hatch. Male and female bird will help each other to feed their youngster. Do not disturb or go to check them often because they can leave their nest or get stressed and not feed their baby. During the very first born dove baby usually get a pigeon milk which is produced from their parent throat in a form of liquid food. Male and female bird will take care of their baby until it can eat and live on their own.

Some breeder use ring neck dove as foster parents as substitute feeders to feed zebra dove / spotted dove youngster because breeder can use a good studs just laid an egg and this method can produce a lot of doves in a short time. Ring neck dove is not aggressive towards other doves and can accept youngster very well. Ring neck dove have the same period of hatching as zebra dove/ spotted dove. They can look after youngster very well and youngster grow up very fast in the ring neck dove parents.