Dove Breeding

The domestic strain of ring neck dove (streptopelia risoria) is widely kept as an aviary pet in the U.K. The variety seen flying about our towns is the wild strain (streptopelia decaocto) which reportedly originated from the Balkans in Europe. The central African sub-species (streptopelia roesogrisea) 

Streptopelia

Roseogriesea Streptopelia decaocto is closely related and it is from this specie crossed to risoria that the many colour varieties have come from. The wild or Eurasian collard dove (S.decaocto) lives only in the vicinity of man and has become quiet adapted to feeding and nesting around us. The plumage is a nice grey-brown above and quiet lighter underneath, with a narrow black neck ring. The African species (roseogrisea) is very similar to the decaocto, but has a melodic “coo” sound and its plumage is a nice creamy brown.

Since the 1930’s the Eurasian collard dove has spread from the Balkan region to cover most of Europe. It is thought its success is due to its cohabitation with man. The e.c.d. can be seen in large flocks in the winter around farm grain stores and at bird tables in the garden. Collard doves just don’t know when to stop breeding and this too must account for their rise in numbers in the U.K. It is common for one pair to raise 5 brood a year. An interesting point is that e.c.d. feed their young on “crop milk” produced by the parents.

The nests are usually made of a few sticks and thin twigs and are quiet flimsy, but rarely do you find a nest that cannot stand the weather. Usually they nest in Ewe or deciduous trees preferably with ivy on them.

The Domestic Ring Neck Dove

Domestic Ring Neck Doves (S.risoria) have been bred in captivity for about 2,000 years. Firstly, as sacrifices for religious occasions then later as pets. Up until the 1960 there were only two colours available, whites and fawns. Since then many dedicated breeders have developed many new strains of dove colours from various crosses .

The very basics of colour breeding starts with someone breeding a new colour bird. The breeder then crosses the new colours together. Some of the young they keep as interesting colours, they then selectively record and breed the colours over years to form a true colour breeding bird.

I have kept doves for many years starting with normal or rosy ring-necks. I now keep ivory ,pied, tangerine, grey, lemon and phaeo ringneck doves, I keep my birds in outdoor flight approx 6ft x 6ft x 6ft, with natural flooring of bark Chippings. I feed my birds on a mixture of canary, finch, dove and condition seeds, with ample fresh water. I find my birds breed best in cardboard nest pans, placed inside a shallow wooden tray to stop them from falling off the walls. I like to keep only two pairs to a flight as they tend to bully each other at nesting times. Doves are visually hard to sex, but if you watch your birds only the cocks “coo” loudly and “bow coo” to the hens. Although sometimes hens will show these signs. Doves make excellent pets being placid and social, some people keep them indoor but I prefer them outside in the garden aviaries.

Dove Nest Bowls

This is the type of nest bowl I prefer for breeding my Ringneck Dove in. They are made from re- constituted cardboard, which keeps the eggs under the bird due to the shape ,but more importantly they help keep the eggs warm and safe during the early breeding period of doves, February /March. The main reason I use the "dandy" brand of nest bowl is because it is cardboard and it doesn't crack the eggs like the similar shaped crock bowls do. I have tried filling the crock bowls with sand, but the doves like to scratch it around, and the eggs crack on the crock bowl.  The main benefit of the "dandy" bowl is when you have used them once they can be thrown away and replaced for a small amount of money

The main disadvantage with the cardboard nest bowl is that they are too light and can be knocked off the nesting areas therefore, I place the bowls inside a small or wooden frame. Many people prefer their own homemade nests, but in an aviary setting I find the cardboard nest bowls work best for me.