100 Journal of Multidisciplinary Applied Natural Science Vol. 1 No. 2 (2021) Review Article Limitations in Pigeon Keeping: A Review M Ashraful Kabir Received : April 4, 2021 Revised : June 9, 2021 Accepted : June 19, 2021 Online : July 13, 2021 Abstract Pigeons are showing remarkable progress with more profit. This sector has many potential markets in the country. After visiting some pigeon houses, many limitations have been come out. Many rearers collect pigeons based on only physical appearance, and in the long run, they cannot get pure offspring. King pigeon is considered a table breed in the world but in Bangladesh rearers keep them as a common fancy item. Pigeons do not get their nutritious food from the owners. Result suggests that many rare pigeons are caught by predators and due to unwanted dirt in those lofts birds are affected by many diseases. Some remarkable farms are show- ing quality environment in their lofts and getting desirable profit. Keywords limitations, pigeon, keeping, rearing 1. INTRODUCTION Pigeon keeping is a primitive hobby all over the world. Many famous people of the world kept pigeons for their amusement [1]–[3]. Activities of pigeon club and research are increasing in the country and this the best way for overcoming many limitations in this pigeon sector [4]–[6]. In the year 2020, 29 February, the National Pigeon Association of Bangladesh (NPAB) organized an international pigeon fair in Dhaka [7] for strengthening the bondage of pigeon rearers all over the world due to commercial purpose. Mulyani et al. [8] completed several works on the moulting of birds. At this time, female pigeon needs special care and extra protein added food is recommended. Genetically, pigeons have very strong navigation power as a whole [9]– [11]. The only chromosomal method is the reliable indicator for sex determination of pigeon and he mentioned 14 points for identification of purebreds of pigeon [12]. Secondly, Haunshi [13] described some good points for pigeon identification. Lapiedra et al. [14] studied the genetic behaviour of pigeons. Any crossbred have been considered an excellent foster pigeon in Bangladesh [15][16]. In Bangladesh many pigeon markets and pet shops are available. When pigeon lovers purchase their racing pigeon they observe flight muscle, flying capability in their home, feathers, and eyes. In the case of the fantail pigeon, they see only the number of rectrices, large-size, crest, and tremule [17]. Rats and mice are available in most pigeon farms in Bangladesh which are the main source of typhoid bacterium [18][19]. Many pigeon keepers provide huge poultry feed to the pigeons and for this pigeons got obese and ultimately the production slows down. Naturally, pigeons are very intelligent and normally do not get fear to see domestic animals [20]. The objective of this review is to perceive the major limitations with their solutions in the pigeon farms of Bangladesh as a whole. 2. CHARACTERISTICS OF PUREBREDS Each breed of pigeon has some salient features. Before starting a pigeon farm need to understand those grading points of the pigeons. Body structure, disease-free condition, legs, tail, breast, head-beak- cere-wattle-eye, neck, etc. all are the points for collecting a pigeon [17][21]–[23]. In addition, need to know their weight, leg feather, number of rectrices, rump width, and position of wing [24]– [26]. 3. COMMERCIAL MEAT-BRED King Pigeon is the best for meat purpose [7]. Females will have a useful breeding life of up to 10 years and males 5 years. Pigeon meat has some Copyright Holder: © Kabir, M. A. (2021) First Publication Right: Journal of Multidisciplinary Applied Natural Science Publisher’s Note: Pandawa Institute stays neutral with regard to jurisdictional claims in published maps and institutional affiliations. This Article is Licensed Under: https://doi.org/10.47352/jmans.v1i2.86 OPEN ACCESS https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/deed.id https://doi.org/10.47352/jmans.v1i2.86 https://crossmark.crossref.org/dialog/?doi=10.47352/jmans.v1i2.86&domain=pdf&date_stamp=2021-07-13 J. Multidiscip. Appl. Nat. Sci. 101 remedic values like depression, muscle pain, thyroid problems, skin problems, hair loss, nail problems, lower immunity and this meat is enriched with more zinc, phosphorus, iron, sodium, selenium, and copper. Chinese people take pigeons’ meat as their medicinal value [27]. 4. FOOD AND NUTRITION In the life of pigeons we see their growing, moulting, breeding, laying and hatching stages. Home-made healthy grits are good for the bone formation all the year round. For controlling fungal growth in feed need to dry feed by sunlight. Sometimes, long bristles of paddy can attach to the pigeons’ gullet which causes abscess. Supplied water will be clean always. In pre-laying/hatching/ suckling stages- corn 6 kg, wheat 4 kg, black-pea 2.5 kg, Japanese millet 0.5 kg, broiler feed 1 kg, green-pea 0.5 kg (Figure 1), and mustard 250 g are suitable [20]. Abd El-Hack et al. [28] mentioned that the feed consumption is about one-tenth of the pigeon’s body weight. 5. PIGEONS’ PREDATORS A study in Bangladesh suggested that out of 12 predators’ mammals were the highest number [29]. In Israel and Bangladesh, golden jackals were seen as scavengers [30]–[32]. Poison bait is used for controlling this golden jackal [33][34]. Sometimes rock-pigeons are killed by predator birds. There are 17 species of raptors are found in Bangladesh consisted of three families- falconidae, accipitridae, and pandionidae [35]. Indeed, falcon does not breed in Bangladesh. A piece of mirror on the long trees beside the farm and irregular flying of tumbler and racing pigeons makes puzzle of the raptors [35]. Snakes can be controlled by using thallium sulfate. To make fear, scarecrow and water spray are useful for protecting such pigeons [29]. Monitor-lizards may come near the loft for carcasses. For protecting pigeons, farmers should know the breeding season of crows. Pit Bull, Fox Terrier, and Airedale Terrier dogs are good for patrolling the loft [36]. Treepie (Dendrocitta spp.) consumes 64% insect in the crop field and only attacks 0.1% to Columba livia nestling [37]. One inch mesh size is sufficient for controlling sparrows within the loft. White feathered pigeons are always caught by the predators. 6. DISEASES OF PIGEONS AND CAGE SANITARY Out of 20 diseases of pigeons in Bangladesh 30% were for bacterium, 20% viruses, 15% rearing related, protozoan and vitamin deficiency 10%, 5% for fungal, and Mycoplasma and food related 5% [38] (Figure 2). In the country most pigeon keepers are not conscious about the diseases of their pigeons. Some mycotic, bacterial, protozoal, chlamydial, rickettsial, and parasitic diseases are considered as zoonotic diseases and their numbers are approximately thirty [39]. Pigeons are occasionally treated as zoonotic harbour. Pigeons waste carries Aspergillus fungus and 2% Salmonella bacterium. Dirty water mainly after pigeons’ bath is the great source of fluke and lots of mites. Runt, King, and Strasser are higher intensity of parasites and other study showed that older pigeons can be affected by Trichomonas galllinae. Coccidiosis/Blood dysentery is second common problem of all farms. Disinfection by using savlon, Figure 1. Food stuffs for pigeons. 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 A m o u n t (k g ) Green pea Japanese millet Broiler feed Black pea Wheat Corn 0.5 0.5 1.0 2.5 4.0 6.0 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 0 10 20 30 40 50 P e r c e n ta g e ( % ) Mycoplasma and food Fungi Protozoa and vitamin Rearing Virus Bacteria 5 % 5 % 10 % 15 % 20 % 30 % 15 % Others Figure 2. Percentages of disease incidents. J. Multidiscip. Appl. Nat. Sci. 102 dettol, potash, and bleaching powder is good at all. Excessive number of birds in a narrow space and poor ventilation causes the ammonia toxicosis that enhances ocular discharge. Newly fledged pigeons’ showed the highest mortality and time between fledging and settlement in a feeding flock is crucial [40]. 7. CONCLUSIONS Bangladesh is an excellent harbour for many fancy pigeons. All birds have true markings but need to ensure those characteristics by the keepers by keen observation. We can establish a pigeon farm only for human meat consumption after fulfilling our hobby. In this regard, king pigeon, strasser, and maltese breeds can be good perspective Bangladesh. Without nutritious food, it is quite impossible to get sufficient meat from the squabs and nice pairs for the fulfillment of our hobby. Different stages of pigeons need different food ratios with sufficient home-made grits. We should increase our knowledge for understanding purebreds either they are fancy or table breed. In addition, we need to overcome major limitations such as cleanliness and balanced diet for achieving positive impact in our economy. AUTHOR INFORMATION Corresponding Author M. Ashraful Kabir — Department of Biology, Cantonment Public College, Saidpur Cantonment - 5311 (Bangladesh); orcid.org/0000-0001-7093-2741 Email: ashraful.mission@gmail.com CONFLICT OF INTEREST The authors declare that there is no conflict of interest. REFERENCES [1] M. A. Kabir, T. J. Hawkeswood, and D. Makhan. (2020). “Pigeon flying in the world: a brief review”. Calodema. 809 : 1–4. [2] J. Bruxaux, M. Gabrielli, H. Ashari, R. Prŷs- Jones, L. Joseph, B. Milá, G. Besnard, and C. Thébaud. (2018). “Recovering the evolutionary history of crowned pigeons (Columbidae: Goura): Implications for the biogeography and conservation of New Guinean lowland birds”. Molecular Phylogenetics and Evolution. 120 : 248–258. 10.1016/j.ympev.2017.11.022. [3] A. Gagliardo, S. Colombo, E. Pollonara, G. Casini, M. G. Rossino, M. Wikelski, and V. P. Bingman. (2021). “GPS-profiling of retrograde navigational impairments associated with hippocampal lesion in homing pigeons”. Behavioural Brain Research. 412 : 113408. 10.1016/ j.bbr.2021.113408. [4] M. Ohkita and M. Jitsumori. (2012). “Pigeons show efficient visual search by category: Effects of typicality and practice”. Vision Research. 72 : 63–73. 10.1016/ j.visres.2012.09.013. [5] L. C. Zulu, E. A. Adams, R. Chikowo, and S. Snapp. (2018). “The role of community- Features Examples References Amusement Pigeons flying was prehistoric hobby of human being [41] Characteristics Good ranked pigeons are must for better production [7][16][21][29] Moulting Some rules should maintain during moulting especially food [20] Feed Different stages of pigeons need different type of mixed food [20] Pigeon predators Preventive and biological are the effective method [35] Diseases Cleaning is the best option [38] Genetics Genetics is very important for sex determination [42] Table 1. Important features of pigeons with references. https://orcid.org/0000-0001-7093-2741 mailto:ashraful.mission@gmail.com https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ympev.2017.11.022 https://doi.org/10.1016/j.bbr.2021.113408 https://doi.org/10.1016/j.bbr.2021.113408 https://doi.org/10.1016/j.visres.2012.09.013 https://doi.org/10.1016/j.visres.2012.09.013 J. Multidiscip. Appl. Nat. Sci. 103 based livestock management institutions in the adoption and scaling up of pigeon peas in Malawi”. Food Policy. 79 : 141–155. 10.1016/j.foodpol.2018.06.007. [6] H. M. Santos, C. Y. Tsai, G. E. M. Catulin, K. C. G. Trangia, L. L. Tayo, H. J. Liu, and K. P. Chuang. (2020). “Common bacterial, viral, and parasitic diseases in pigeons (Columba livia): A review of diagnostic and treatment strategies”. Veterinary Microbiology. 247 : 108779. 10.1016/ j.vetmic.2020.108779. [7] M. A. Kabir. (2020). “King Pigeons Can be the King of Meat in Bangladesh”. Journal of Agricultural. 7 : 6–9. [8] Y. A. Mulyani, F. N. Tirtaningtyas, N. K. Hadi, L. K. Dewi, and A. Kaban. (2017). “Molt in Birds Inhabiting a Human- Dominated Habitat”. HAYATI Journal of Biosciences. 24 (4): 195–200. 10.1016/ j.hjb.2017.11.004. [9] H. G. Wallraff. (2010). In: “Encyclopedia of Animal Behavior”. Elsevier. [10] I. Schiffner, J. Baumeister, and R. Wiltschko. (2011). “Mathematical analysis of the navigational process in homing pigeons”. Journal of Theoretical Biology. 291 : 42–46. 10.1016/j.jtbi.2011.09.009. [11] H. G. Wallraff. (2019). In: “Encyclopedia of Animal Behavior”. Elsevier. [12] S. A. Stringham, E. E. Mulroy, J. Xing, D. Record, M. W. Guernsey, J. T. Aldenhoven, E. J. Osborne, and M. D. Shapiro. (2012). “Divergence, Convergence, and the Ancestry of Feral Populations in the Domestic Rock Pigeon”. Current Biology. 22 (4): 302–308. 10.1016/j.cub.2011.12.045. [13] S. Haunshi, R. Basumatary, P. S. Girish, S. Doley, R. K. Bardoloi, and A. Kumar. (2009). “Identification of chicken, duck, pigeon and pig meat by species-specific markers of mitochondrial origin”. Meat Science. 83 (3): 454–459. 10.1016/ j.meatsci.2009.06.026. [14] O. Lapiedra, D. Sol, S. Carranza, and J. M. Beaulieu. (2013). “Behavioural changes and the adaptive diversification of pigeons and doves”. Proceedings of the Royal Society B: Biological Sciences. 280 (1755): 20122893. 10.1098/rspb.2012.2893. [15] M. A. Kabir. (2015). “Tumbler Pigeons are very ancient and most favourite in Bangladesh”. International Journal of Research in Pharmacy and Biosciences. 2 (1): 10–13. [16] M. A. Kabir. (2013). “Productivity of crossed indigenous Pigeon in semi intensive system”. Journal of Agricultura. 2 (1): 1–4. [17] M. A. Kabir. (2014). “Grading system of ten common fancy pigeons of Bangladesh”. Integrated Journal of British. 1 (1): 19–26. [18] J. Wang, J. Li, F. Liu, Y. Cheng, and J. Su. (2020). “Characterization of Salmonella enterica Isolates from Diseased Poultry in Northern China between 2014 and 2018”. Pathogens. 9 (2): 95. 10.3390/ pathogens9020095. [19] E. Kaczorek‐Łukowska, P. Sowińska, A. Franaszek, D. Dziewulska, J. Małaczewska, and T. Stenzel. (2020). “Can domestic pigeon be a potential carrier of zoonotic Salmonella ?”. Transboundary and Emerging Diseases. 10.1111/tbed.13891. [20] M. A. Kabir. (2018). “Pigeons’ Feed at their Various Stages”. International Journal of Research Studies in Zoology. 4 (2). 10.20431/2454-941x.0402005. [21] M. A. Kabir. (2014). “Major pigeon markets in Dhaka, Bangladesh”. Extensive Journal of Applied Sciences. 2 (1): 6–8. [22] F. Balci, S. Ardiçli, F. Alpay, D. Dinçel, B. Soyudal, and M. Er. (2018). “The determination of some morphological characteristics of Bursa Oynarı pigeon breed”. Ankara Universitesi Veteriner Fakultesi Dergisi. 65 (4): 349–355. 10.1501/ Vetfak_0000002867. [23] P. Mazengenya, A. Bhagwandin, P. Nkomozepi, P. Manger, and A. Ihunwo. (2017). “Putative adult neurogenesis in two domestic pigeon breeds (Columba livia domestica): racing homer versus utility carneau pigeons”. Neural Regeneration Research. 12 (7): 1086. 10.4103/1673- 5374.211187. [24] A. Gáspárdy. (2017). “Connection among Body Measurements and Flying Speed of Racing Pigeon”. International Journal of https://doi.org/10.1016/j.foodpol.2018.06.007 https://doi.org/10.1016/j.vetmic.2020.108779 https://doi.org/10.1016/j.vetmic.2020.108779 https://doi.org/10.1016/j.hjb.2017.11.004 https://doi.org/10.1016/j.hjb.2017.11.004 https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jtbi.2011.09.009 https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cub.2011.12.045 https://doi.org/10.1016/j.meatsci.2009.06.026 https://doi.org/10.1016/j.meatsci.2009.06.026 https://doi.org/10.1098/rspb.2012.2893 https://doi.org/10.3390/pathogens9020095 https://doi.org/10.3390/pathogens9020095 https://doi.org/10.1111/tbed.13891 https://doi.org/10.20431/2454-941x.0402005 https://doi.org/10.1501/Vetfak_0000002867 https://doi.org/10.1501/Vetfak_0000002867 https://doi.org/10.4103/1673-5374.211187 https://doi.org/10.4103/1673-5374.211187 J. Multidiscip. Appl. Nat. Sci. 104 Agricultural Science and Food Technology. 009–018. 10.17352/2455-815X.000016. [25] L. M. Tuttle‐Adams. (2020). In: “Hand‐ Rearing Birds”. Wiley. [26] H. G. de Silva, M. G. Pérez Villafaña, J. Cruz-Nieto, and M. Á. Cruz-Nieto. (2020). “Are some of the birds endemic to the Tres Marías Islands (Mexico) species?”. Bulletin of the British Ornithologists’ Club. 140 (1): 7. 10.25226/bboc.v140i1.2020.a3. [27] C. Y. Lien, C. W. Lu, C. H. Hsu, T. Y. Chuang, L. Y. Su, W. J. Wu, Y. S. Jheng, M. C. Lee, and C. H. Wu. (2020). “Chinese Veterinary Medicine B307 Promotes Cardiac Performance and Skeletal Muscle Contraction via Enhancing Intracellular Calcium Levels and Neural Electrical Activity in Animal and Cell Models”. Evidence-Based Complementary and Alternative Medicine. 2020 : 1–10. 10.1155/2020/9064824. [28] M. E. Abd El-Hack, A. A. Swelum, M. A. Abdel-Latif, D. Más Toro, and M. Arif. (2018). “Pigeon Pea ( Cajanus cajan ) as an alternative protein source in broiler feed”. World's Poultry Science Journal. 74 (3): 541 –548. 10.1017/S0043933918000296. [29] M. A. Kabir. (2018). “Common wildlife pests in pigeon keeping of Bangladesh”. Journal of Dairy, Veterinary & Animal Research. 7 (5). 10.15406/ jdvar.2018.07.00216. [30] J. Lanszki, M. W. Hayward, and N. Nagyapáti. (2018). “Feeding responses of the golden jackal after reduction of anthropogenic food subsidies” PLoS One. 13 (12): e0208727. 10.1371/ journal.pone.0208727. [31] V. Arkumarev, D. Dobrev, A. Stamenov, N. Terziev, A. Delchev, and S. Stoychev. (2020). “Using GPS and accelerometry data to study the diet of a top avian scavenger”. Bird Study. 67 (3): 300–310. 10.1080/00063657.2020.1864285. [32] A. F. N. Abd Rabou, K. E. Elkahlout, F. A. Almabhouh, W. F. Mohamed, N. A. Khalaf, M. A. Al-Sadek, R. N. Alfarra, L. T. Al- Moqayed, A. A. Shafei, N. A. Fayyad, B. S. Adeem, A. W. Dardona, A. S. Awad, M. R. Al-Agha, and M. A. Abd Rabou. (2021). “Occurrence and Some Ecological Aspects of the Golden Jackal (Canis aureus Linnaeus, 1758) in the Gaza Strip, Palestine”. Open Journal of Ecology. 11 (2): 105–125. 10.4236/oje.2021.112010. [33] N. Spassov and I. Acosta-Pankov. (2019). “Dispersal history of the golden jackal (Canis aureus moreoticus Geoffroy, 1835) in Europe and possible causes of its recent population explosion”. Biodiversity Data Journal. 7. 10.3897/BDJ.7.e34825. [34] K. Koeppel, B. Kuhn, and P. Thompson. (2020). “Oral bait preferences for rabies vaccination in free-ranging black-backed jackal (Canis mesomelas) and non-target species in a multi-site field study in a peri- urban protected area in South Africa”. Preventive Veterinary Medicine. 175 : 104867. 10.1016/j.prevetmed.2019.104867. [35] M. A. Kabir. (2012). “Abundance and distribution of the raptors in Bangladesh”. International Journal of Livestock Production. 3 (5). 10.5897/IJLP11.058. [36] T. Stenzel, G. Woźniakowski, D. Pestka, D. Choszcz, B. Tykałowski, M. Śmiałek, and A. Koncicki. (2017). “Application of pigeon circovirus recombinant capsid protein for detecting anti-PiCV antibodies in the sera of asymptomatic domestic pigeons and the potential use of a combination of serological and molecular tests for controlling circovirus infections in pigeon breeding flocks”. Poultry Science. 96 (2): 303–308. 10.3382/ ps/pew266. [37] P. P. M. Basheer and S. K. Thomas. (2012). “Indian Treepie Dendrocitta vagabunda parvula (Latham, 1790) (Passeriformes: Corvidae) as a natural enemy of the pests of coconut and areca palm plantations”. Journal of Biopesticides. 5 : 205–208. [38] M. A. Kabir. (2014). “Symptomatic treatments of some common diseases of fancy Pigeons in Bangladesh”. Acme Journal of Animal Science, Livestock production and Animal Breeding. 1 (1): 1–4. [39] S. A. Burt, R. E. Röring, and M. Heijne. (2018). “Chlamydia psittaci and C. avium in feral pigeon ( Columba livia domestica ) https://doi.org/10.17352/2455-815X.000016 https://doi.org/10.25226/bboc.v140i1.2020.a3 https://doi.org/10.1155/2020/9064824 https://doi.org/10.1017/S0043933918000296 https://doi.org/10.15406/jdvar.2018.07.00216 https://doi.org/10.15406/jdvar.2018.07.00216 https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0208727 https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0208727 https://doi.org/10.1080/00063657.2020.1864285 https://doi.org/10.4236/oje.2021.112010 https://doi.org/10.3897/BDJ.7.e34825 https://doi.org/10.1016/j.prevetmed.2019.104867 https://doi.org/10.5897/IJLP11.058 https://doi.org/10.3382/ps/pew266 https://doi.org/10.3382/ps/pew266 J. Multidiscip. Appl. Nat. Sci. 105 droppings in two cities in the Netherlands”. Veterinary Quarterly. 38 (1): 63–66. 10.1080/01652176.2018.1482028. [40] S. A. Naz, M. Yaseen, N. Jabeen, and M. Shafique. (2017). “Isolation of potentially pathogenic fungi from selected pigeons’ feeding sites in Karachi: A new dimension to health hazard”. Journal of the Pakistan Medical Association. 67 (6): 901–906. [41] M. A. Kavesh. (2018). “From the Passions of Kings to the Pastimes of the People: Pigeon Flying, Cockfighting, and Dogfighting in South Asia”. Pakistan Journal of Historical Studies. 3 (1): 61. 10.2979/pjhs.3.1.04. [42] F. Zavinon, H. Adoukonou-Sagbadja, J. Keilwagen, H. Lehnert, F. Ordon, and D. Perovic. (2020). “Genetic diversity and population structure in Beninese pigeon pea [Cajanus cajan (L.) Huth] landraces collection revealed by SSR and genome wide SNP markers”. Genetic Resources and Crop Evolution. 67 (1): 191–208. 10.1007/s10722- 019-00864-9. https://doi.org/10.1080/01652176.2018.1482028 https://doi.org/10.2979/pjhs.3.1.04 https://doi.org/10.1007/s10722-019-00864-9 https://doi.org/10.1007/s10722-019-00864-9