Meat Pigeons
The commercial meat pigeon or squab industry is growing in Ontario and other parts of Canada. Birds are generally raised in groups in confined flight pens and each pigeon pair supplied with two nest boxes. There are a number of very common disease problems associated with squab facilities including salmonellosis in young birds, circovirus, pigeon Newcastle Disease, trichominiasis (canker) and others.
The biggest challenges include improving biosecurity, establishing better record keeping systems, establishing functional restricted access zones, setting up quarantine facilities for new arrivals, sanitation of nest box areas and transportation crates, developing effective flock health programs and the appropriate use of medications. Very few pigeon growers retain veterinary services.
Squab pigeon facilities also have certain human health risks that must be considered when designing the facilities and setting the daily work schedules. Pigeon fecal dust is highly allergenic and can cause serious respiratory disease for people. Appropriate protective clothing for everyone working in the barn including the use of filter masks are important. Pigeon barns need good ventilation. Pigeon diseases including salmonellosis and chlamydiosis (ornithosis) are quite in pigeon flocks.
The fact sheets on this site that are pertinent to squab pigeon production include all of the principles of biosecurity and all of those in the management section. The 6 anatomy fact sheets are applicable to all types of birds and several selected diseases.
The following disease factsheets may have special interest to squab pigeon growers:
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