Scientists reviewed everything we know about raising healthy baby pigeons (called squabs) that grow quickly and strong. They found that five main things matter: the pigeons’ genes, what they eat, keeping them disease-free, their living environment, and the helpful bacteria in their stomachs. Pigeon meat is becoming more popular because it’s high in protein and low in fat, so farmers want to raise bigger, healthier squabs more efficiently. This review brings together all the research to help farmers understand how to care for baby pigeons better and produce more meat.

The Quick Take

  • What they studied: What factors help baby pigeons grow faster and healthier on farms
  • Who participated: This is a review of existing research, not a new experiment. Scientists looked at hundreds of previous studies about raising squabs
  • Key finding: Five main things control how well baby pigeons grow: their genes, nutrition (especially pigeon milk from parents), disease prevention, their living conditions, and the good bacteria in their digestive system
  • What it means for you: If you raise pigeons or work in poultry farming, paying attention to all five of these areas together—not just one—gives the best results. For consumers, this research helps farmers produce better quality pigeon meat more efficiently

The Research Details

This is a review article, which means scientists didn’t do a new experiment themselves. Instead, they carefully read and summarized hundreds of previous studies about raising baby pigeons. They organized all this information into five main categories: genetics (the pigeon’s inherited traits), nutrition (what they eat), disease prevention, environmental conditions (temperature, air quality, space), and gut health (the bacteria living in their stomachs). By putting all this research together, they created a complete picture of what affects squab growth.

The researchers looked at studies from around the world, but especially from China, where pigeon farming is huge. In 2021 alone, China processed over 1.6 billion squabs from more than 111 million breeding pairs. This massive industry makes understanding squab growth really important for farmers and the economy.

By reviewing all existing research instead of doing one new experiment, the scientists could see patterns and connections that might not be obvious from just one study. This type of review is valuable because it helps identify what we know well and what we still need to learn.

Understanding all the factors that affect squab growth helps farmers make better decisions about breeding, feeding, and caring for their birds. When farmers know which factors matter most, they can focus their efforts and money on the things that will actually improve their results. This research also helps identify gaps in our knowledge, showing scientists where they need to do more studies.

This is a review article published in Poultry Science, a well-respected scientific journal. The authors examined many previous studies, which makes their conclusions stronger than any single experiment. However, because this is a summary of other people’s work rather than new research, the quality depends on the studies they reviewed. The review is most useful for identifying general patterns and areas needing more research, rather than providing definitive answers.

What the Results Show

The research shows that squab growth depends on five interconnected factors working together. First, genetics matter—scientists have identified specific genes and genetic switches (called microRNAs) that control muscle development in baby pigeons. Using modern breeding techniques, farmers can select birds with genes that promote faster growth. Second, nutrition is critical, especially pigeon milk that parent birds produce to feed their babies. This milk contains essential nutrients and helps baby pigeons build strong immune systems. The type of feed, how balanced the nutrition is, and how often pigeons eat all affect growth.

Third, preventing disease is essential because sick birds don’t grow well. Fourth, environmental conditions like temperature, humidity, air quality, light, and how many birds live in one space all influence stress levels and health. Finally, the bacteria living in a squab’s stomach (called gut microbiota) affect how well the bird absorbs nutrients and fights infections. These five factors don’t work independently—they interact with each other, and managing all of them together produces the best results.

The review emphasizes that muscle development is especially important because it determines how much a squab can ultimately grow. Scientists are now using genetic tools to identify and breed birds with better muscle-building genes. Additionally, the research shows that probiotics (good bacteria) and special functional feeds can improve the balance of bacteria in squabs’ stomachs, which helps them grow better.

The review highlights that pigeon meat’s popularity is growing because it has more protein and less fat than many other meats, plus it has a tender texture. This increased demand means farmers need better ways to raise squabs efficiently. The research also shows that environmental stress—from temperature changes, poor air quality, or overcrowding—can reduce growth and increase disease risk. Interestingly, lighting also plays a role in growth and behavior. The review notes that the interactions between these five factors are complex and not fully understood yet, suggesting this is an area where more research could help.

This review brings together decades of research on squab farming. Previous studies have looked at individual factors like genetics or nutrition separately, but this review shows how all five factors work together. The findings align with what we know about other poultry (like chickens), but squabs have unique characteristics because of how parent birds feed them. The review suggests that some connections between factors—like how gut bacteria affect nutrition absorption—need more study to fully understand.

Because this is a review of other studies rather than new research, the conclusions are only as strong as the studies reviewed. Some factors may have been studied more thoroughly than others. The review also notes that the complex interactions between all five factors haven’t been fully explored—we know each factor matters, but we don’t completely understand how they work together. Additionally, most research comes from China, so findings might not apply equally to squab farming in other parts of the world with different conditions or farming practices.

The Bottom Line

For squab farmers: Focus on all five areas together—genetics, nutrition, disease prevention, environment, and gut health—rather than trying to optimize just one. Start by ensuring proper nutrition with quality pigeon milk support and balanced feed. Maintain clean, comfortable living conditions with good temperature and air quality control. Consider using probiotics to support healthy gut bacteria. For breeding, work with genetics experts to select birds with good growth genes. Confidence level: High for the importance of all five factors; moderate for specific recommendations since the review identifies this as an area needing more research.

This research is most relevant to: commercial squab farmers, poultry researchers, agricultural extension agents, and people involved in breeding programs. It’s also useful for consumers interested in understanding how their food is produced. People with general interest in animal agriculture or nutrition science will find it interesting. This research doesn’t directly apply to people raising pigeons as pets, though some principles about health and environment may be relevant.

Changes in squab growth take time to see. Improvements in nutrition and environment might show results within weeks, but genetic improvements from selective breeding take multiple generations (several years). Optimizing gut health with probiotics may show benefits within days to weeks. Farmers should expect gradual improvements over months and years as they refine all five factors together.

Want to Apply This Research?

  • If managing a squab farm, track weekly weight gain of birds, feed consumption per bird, mortality rates, and environmental conditions (temperature, humidity). Compare these metrics month-to-month to see if changes to nutrition, environment, or health practices are working.
  • For farmers: Implement a checklist system covering all five factors—genetics selection, feeding schedule optimization, disease prevention protocols, environmental monitoring (temperature/humidity logs), and probiotic supplementation. Review and adjust this checklist monthly based on growth results.
  • Establish a long-term tracking system that monitors all five factors simultaneously. Keep records of which genetic lines grow best, which feed combinations work best, disease incidents and prevention success, environmental conditions during peak growth periods, and how probiotic use affects overall flock health. Over time, this data reveals which combinations of factors produce the best results for your specific farm.

This review summarizes scientific research on squab farming and growth factors. It is intended for educational and informational purposes for farmers, agricultural professionals, and those interested in poultry science. This information should not replace professional veterinary advice or consultation with agricultural experts. Farmers should consult with veterinarians and agricultural specialists before making significant changes to breeding programs, feeding practices, or farm management. Individual results may vary based on specific farm conditions, local climate, and bird genetics. Always follow local regulations and best practices for animal welfare and farming.