Farmed Animal Welfare

Farmed Pigeon Welfare: Squab Production and Housing

Pigeons raised for squab meat face welfare challenges including intensive housing, disrupted pair bonds, and limited opportunities for natural behaviors.

Key Facts

Squab farming produces young pigeons slaughtered at 25-30 days before they can fly
Breeding pairs are kept in small individual loft compartments year-round
Pigeons form strong monogamous pair bonds that are disrupted by intensive housing
Squab production is most concentrated in China, France, and the United States
Pigeons are highly intelligent birds capable of recognizing individual faces

Welfare Considerations

Farmed pigeons experience welfare compromises from tight housing that limits pair-bond formation and natural movement. The removal of squabs shortly after hatching disrupts parental behaviors. Improved welfare standards would include larger loft compartments, opportunities for flight, and access to bathing water — behaviors essential to pigeon wellbeing.

What You Can Do

Seek out squab from producers with higher welfare certifications when consuming
Advocate for minimum space standards in pigeon farming regulations
Support research on pigeon cognitive and emotional capacities to inform welfare standards