Effects of different feeding strategies on the performance and meat quality of pigeon squabs (Columba livia) in the late stage of growth

The current study investigated the effects of two different feeding strategies on the performance and meat quality of squabs (White King pigeon). A total of 108, 21-day-old squabs were randomly divided into three artificial crop milk treatments with different crude protein ( CP ) levels (14%, 15%, 16%). The parent-fed squab control treatment consisted of 36 pairs of pigeons caring for 2 squabs. Results showed that the 28-day body weight, average body weight gain, index of abdominal fat and breast muscle, muscle shearing force, and fiber cross-sectional area and diameter of squabs in group 1 (16% CP) were the highest. In addition, the low dripping and freezing losses and the minimum malondialdehyde content of muscles in group 1 (16 % CP) were observed. Meanwhile, the activity of glutathione peroxidase in the muscle of the control group was the lowest. The values of redness and yellowness of muscles were higher in the control group than those in the artificial feeding treatments. In conclusion, although the muscle color of artificially fed pigeons is not as good as that of naturally fed ones, the 16% CP artificial diet significantly promoted the growth performance and muscle antioxidant capacity of squabs. Therefore, using 16% CP level of diet for artificially feeding squabs during the late stage of growth is recommended.