Pigeon racing subjects birds to long-distance flight with significant mortality and welfare costs.
Racing pigeon welfare is rarely discussed despite involving millions of birds globally. Competitive races require pigeons to fly hundreds of miles, often in poor weather, with significant mortality from exhaustion, disorientation, collisions, and predation. Loss rates of 30-50% in single races are considered acceptable by the industry. Non-performing birds are routinely culled. The welfare costs are high and the animals have no choice in their exposure to race conditions. Public awareness of racing pigeon welfare is very low compared to other racing animal issues.