Pigeons usually choose one mate for life, but will normally take another quite easily if their mate is removed.

To guarantee parentage separate mating or breeding cages are recommended, as certain birds can be promiscuous. Eggs are laid within 7 to 12 days after pairs are put together, if they are settled and nests are ready. Both sexes will assist in nest building, with the males more eager to carry nesting material while the hens are at the nest, usually twigs and feathers, if available. Where proper nesting material is not available pigeons, will gather the strangest available nesting material, which includes, wire, nails and string that can be very dangerous to eggs, babies and adult birds. The first egg is usually laid in the late afternoon or early evening. The second, is laid midday to early afternoon two days later. Young birds that lay their "maiden eggs"; lay at various times, as some have difficulty in laying for the first time.

The cock normally drives the hen to the nest and a hard driving cock makes a very good partner for a hen that carries too much fat and finds difficulty in laying. Generally two eggs, rarely three are laid. One egg when a hen is old or younger hen is infertile. Single, small or oversized eggs can be laid at the onset or the end of the reproduction cycle of the hen. The hen stands over the first egg, until the second is laid and will only leave the nest at feeding time or if the male comes to nest. Incubation period normally from 17 to19 days after second egg is laid. Usually incubation only seriously begins after the second egg is laid, when the male too will also sit from mid-morning to mid-afternoon. Very keen producers will sit longer. Young are usually covered with yellow down. Babies usually called squabs, youngsters or "squeakers". (squeak a lot when hungry or being harassed)

Normal sized racing pigeons need to be rung from the 5^th day onwards. Other larger fancy breeds may require earlier banding. The bigger breeds with feathered legs require larger rings. Parent birds can be very protective of their nests or young. Care must be taken when inspecting their nests to avoid harm to the eggs or young. Young birds or nestlings can show the same protective nature. Even at weaning young birds can carry the yellow down on the tips of their first feathers, that is a good sign of health and quality. Immature birds will first start moulting their body feathers to look like adult birds before they moult their primary and secondary feathering. It is not recommended that young birds be sent on training flights until their eye colour adopts a lighter adult colour, nor should they be sent when they are moulting round or over their ears. Racing pigeons ringed with the current year rings are raced as "Babies or Young Birds" and compete as "Yearlings" in the following year’s racing program. Certain pigeons mature very quickly and can start reproducing from as early as four months old. Racing pigeons have been known to exceed the age of 21 years. Fertility in males has been recorded in excess of 18 years, in hens, up to14 years, if she has not been breeding excessively each season. If a hen lays an egg with a yolk or yellow she is fertile. Fertilisation of the egg cell can be hindered by other factors, if the male is known to be fertile. To ensure robustness of offspring males can be used longer for breeding than hens. Most, top lofts very rarely use hens to breed or feed after 8 years of age, after which their abilities to feed well, deteriorates. The hormone prolactin is vital to the production of pigeon crop milk. The lack of this hormone can lead to the inadequate production of this milk in both of the sexes as they age. Older birds, from seasoned fanciers become an easier prospect for beginners, but they require that more attention and the eggs should be placed under "pumpers" or feeders. An older pair should only be allowed to raise single young, if feeders are not available. Iodised minerals are advised to keep the pituitary gland, active, which is responsible for a number of essential hormones, that assist in the proper functions and growth of the body. This gland found in the lower part of the head of the bird is stimulated by longer hours of sunlight, i.e. spring when the breeding season of most birds occurs. These gland is therefor also responsible for the moult of the pigeon, hence the darkening, breeding and exposing the loft to harness these factors to control, increase or retard the moult according to the desires of a pigeon fancier. Failure of eggs to hatch can be attributed to a number of factors, i.e. parents could have been disturbed on the nest and eggs have chilled, the hen could be infected with paratyphoid which is transmitted to the egg, very dry and hot nesting conditions (parents should be given regular baths), not enough air ventilation in the nesting material and the eggs smother (fine sand for nesting material or the nest has been water logged), not enough magnesium in the mineral diet, parents do not incubate the eggs for the full period (certain birds leave the nest prematurely, to make another). Very often after the third breeding round male birds drive the hen to put down the next set of eggs and their young can be neglected in the process. Good stock hens will delay their desires and stick to the proper feeding of her young before laying the next set of eggs. To overcome the babies being underfed in such cases extra feeding bowls should be placed close to, or in the nest compartments to allow the hen to feed. The babies will also learn to eat at an earlier age and avoid any stunting of normal growth.