Nutrition of the domestic pigeon (Columba livia domestica)

Despite the use of pigeons (Columba livia domestica) since 2500 BC by man for meat production, ornamentals, sports and experimental animals, limited information is available on their nutrient requirements and feeding. This could partly be attributed to the rearing of growing chicks (squabs) to mature body weight at 28 days by the parents. Squabs have an extraordinary high rate of maturing (0.1466 to 0.1945 g/d) in comparison to other domesticated avian species such as poultry (0.0450 g/d) and quail (0.077 to 0.097 g/d). This growth rate is achieved by regurgitation of a holocrine substance (crop milk) by both parents, formed in, response to prolactin secretion and triggered by brooding. Crop milk consists primarily of protein (11.0 to 18.8% on as is basis) and fat (4.5 to 12.7% on as is basis), and lacks significant levels of carbohydrates. Furthermore, adult pigeons are mainly fed mixtures of whole grains. Special feeding characteristics inherent to the pigeon thus prevent extrapolation of nutrient requirements determined with other avian species. A dietary crude protein content of between 12 and 18%, and metabolizable energy (ME) content of around 12 MJ/kg, based on production of offspring, is recommended for feeding of adult pigeons. Apparent metabolizable energy, corrected for nitrogen retention (AME.) for maize (14.76 MJ/kg), barley (12.36 MJ/kg), sorghum (13.87 MJ/kg) and peas. (14.01 MJ/kg) did not differ substantially from values derived for poultry. Pigeons could utilize lipids better than carbohydrates as energy sources. Feed additives and suggestions for future research are discussed.