Stock doves are hole-nesting doves of agricultural woodland edges whose welfare depends on access to nest cavities, weed-rich farmland and freedom from contaminated grain.
Stock dove welfare historically suffered catastrophically from organochlorine seed dressings that caused population collapse through primary and secondary poisoning. Recovery following pesticide bans demonstrates the welfare impact of chemical contamination. Current threats include loss of woodland edge nest sites through tree felling and continued exposure to agricultural chemicals in seed dressings. Grain treated with rodenticide-contaminated seed can poison stock doves as primary consumers.