- Sitting hens need twice as much calcium as during normal periods
- Protein rises to 17–18% versus 12–14% at rest
- Peas and linseed are essential for breeding pairs
- Vitamin E is essential for fertility in both sexes
Breeding is one of the most nutritionally demanding periods. A hen producing an egg consumes significant amounts of calcium, protein and energy. If the diet does not cover these needs, eggs will be underdeveloped, chicks will be weak, or the hen will lose weight dramatically.
Feeding breeding pairs does not mean giving more of the same mix. It means changing the composition of the mix to meet the specific needs of this period.
What breeding pairs need during the breeding season
Increased calcium — eggshell is almost 100% calcium carbonate. A hen laying 2 eggs every 10–14 days needs permanent sources of available calcium:
- Mineral block or grit with oyster shell — permanently in the nest box
- Calcined crushed eggshell — in a separate container
- Calcium + D3 supplement in water, 2 days per week at peak season
Increased protein (17–18%) — for forming the egg white, developing chicks and producing pigeon milk:
- Increase peas to 28–30% of the mix
- Add chickpeas or vetch (5–8%)
- Dehulled sunflower seeds (5%) — protein + fats
Vitamin E + Selenium — directly linked to fertility. Vitamin E deficiency leads to low fertilisation rates and increased embryo mortality.
Practical feeding for nest pairs
- Feed twice a day when pairs have chicks (morning and evening) — they eat more to produce milk
- Quantity: 38–42 g/bird/day for pairs with young chicks (1–14 days)
- Always have grit and mineral block available — never let them run empty
- Fresh water twice a day — consumption increases for pairs with chicks
Common mistakes
- Giving the racing mix to breeders too — too low in calcium and too little protein
- No extra calcium — thin-shelled eggs or visibly thin hens
- Feeding only once a day when they have young chicks — chicks do not get enough milk
- Ignoring vitamin E — poor fertility, unfertilised eggs
What to do in practice
- Prepare a separate breeders mix 2 weeks before pairing
- Place a container with limestone grit in every nest compartment
- Add vitamin E (1 capsule per 10 litres water) once a week during breeding season
- Check hens weekly — if they are losing weight, increase the quantity or improve the mix
The investment in breeder nutrition pays back directly: better-formed eggs, stronger chicks and hens that get through the breeding season without exhaustion.