Nutrition in Columbiformes
(Pigeons and doves)
- Nutrition: Exotic and Zoo Animals
- Overview of Nutrition: Exotic and Zoo Animals
- Nutrition in Birds
- Nutrition in Psittacines
- Nutrition in Passerines
- Nutrition in Columbiformes
- Nutrition in Raptors
- Nutrition in Piscivorous Birds
- Nutrition in Waterfowl
- Nutrition in Gallinaceous Birds
- Nutrition in Ratites
- Nutrition in Mynahs
- Nutrition in Toucans
- Managing Nutrition of Avian Zoological Collections
- Handrearing Zoo Mammals
- Nutrition in Bats
- Nutrition in Zoo Carnivores
- Nutrition in Insectivores, Edentates, and Aardvarks
- Nutrition in Marine Mammals
- Nutrition in Marsupials
- Nutrition in Primates
- Nutrition in Rodents and Lagomorphs
- Nutrition in Subungulates and Ungulates
- Nutrition in Reptiles
- Nutrition in Crocodilians
- Nutrition in Snakes
- Nutrition in Turtles
- Nutrition in Tortoises
- Nutrition in Lizards
- Nutrition in Fish
Most pigeons are either primarily granivorous or frugivorous, with some invertebrates also consumed. Seed-eating pigeons and doves can be fed commercial pigeon pellets (2 mm). These pellets should be comparable in composition to that listed in the NRC requirement of growing chickens 6–12 wk old. Alternatively, psittacine small pellets and mash are accepted by most Columbiformes but, depending on the composition, may have to be supplemented.
Columbiforme parents feed their young with crop milk, which is produced from desquamated epithelial cells and glandular secretions of the crop. Crop milk is rich in fat and protein, devoid of carbohydrates, has a low pH, and contains several Lactobacillus species. Seed-eating pigeons switch in 3–5 days from crop milk production to feeding their young mostly regurgitated seed. Frugivorous pigeon squabs (eg, crowned pigeons) rely on crop milk for at least 30 days.
- Nutrition: Exotic and Zoo Animals
- Overview of Nutrition: Exotic and Zoo Animals
- Nutrition in Birds
- Nutrition in Psittacines
- Nutrition in Passerines
- Nutrition in Columbiformes
- Nutrition in Raptors
- Nutrition in Piscivorous Birds
- Nutrition in Waterfowl
- Nutrition in Gallinaceous Birds
- Nutrition in Ratites
- Nutrition in Mynahs
- Nutrition in Toucans
- Managing Nutrition of Avian Zoological Collections
- Handrearing Zoo Mammals
- Nutrition in Bats
- Nutrition in Zoo Carnivores
- Nutrition in Insectivores, Edentates, and Aardvarks
- Nutrition in Marine Mammals
- Nutrition in Marsupials
- Nutrition in Primates
- Nutrition in Rodents and Lagomorphs
- Nutrition in Subungulates and Ungulates
- Nutrition in Reptiles
- Nutrition in Crocodilians
- Nutrition in Snakes
- Nutrition in Turtles
- Nutrition in Tortoises
- Nutrition in Lizards
- Nutrition in Fish
Also of Interest
Test your knowledge
Which of the following most accurately depicts the difference between acute and chronic pain?