One of my birds feels heavy. When I hold her, there’s a lot of soft tissue around the keel - can barely feel the bone.
Is she just well-fed or actually overweight? Do pigeons have obesity problems?
She’s a stock bird, not racing, if that matters.
Yes, pigeons can absolutely be overweight.
Ideal body condition: keel bone easily felt but not sharp. Slight muscle covering.
Overweight: keel bone hard to find, soft fat deposits around it.
Stock birds are prone to this because they don’t fly as much. They eat the same but burn fewer calories.
Consequences of obesity:
- Reduced fertility
- Egg binding in hens
- Shorter lifespan
- Heart strain
Reduce food quantity or increase exercise.
Stock birds should still be lean.
My breeding pairs get:
- Restricted feeding (once daily, measured amount)
- Forced flying if possible
- Lighter feed mix than racers
A fat hen has fertility problems. A fat cock has low sperm count. Keep them lean for best breeding results.
My rule: if I can’t easily feel the keel, they’re too heavy.
It’s actually kinder to keep them lean. Overweight birds are uncomfortable and unhealthy.
Cut the ration by 25% and see how she does in a few weeks.