King Pigeons
NWF will be starting pigeon aviary/loft operations in 2025 to rear utility king pigeons for squab production.
The King pigeon is a breed of pigeon developed over many years of selective breeding primarily as a utility breed. It is a dual purpose breed that originated in the United States. They were developed during the 1890s by crossing four older varieties: the Duchess for grace; the Homer for alertness; the Maltese for compactness and style; and the Runt for body and size.
Measurements and Weight:
Height: Eleven and three quarters inches (11 ¾”). Width: Extremity of chest, five and one half inches (5 ½”). Depth: The depth to be four and one half inches (4 ½”). Length: Tip of tail to chest extremity, nine and one half inches (9 ½”).
King pigeons are heavy by pigeons standards that inhibit their ability to fly very high or far or perform stunts as other varieties do. Matur birds weigh 30 to 37 ounces, (approximately 2 1/4 lbs), while young birds/squabs can weigh between 28 and 34 ounces (approximately 2 lbs).
Squab is the meat of an immature domestic pigeon, usually under four weeks old. King pigeons are reared to produce squab because of their weight at four weeks when compared with other pigeon breeds. It’s known for its delicate, succulent flesh and rich, lush flavor. Squab is dark meat, and the skin is fatty, like that of duck. The meat is very lean, easily digestible, and rich in proteins, minerals, and vitamins. This is a good source of protein (66% of your Daily value), potassium (8% of your Daily value), and iron (88% of your Daily value). Pigeon meat is a good food and medicine ingredient. It contains rich nutrients that the body needs, and because of its low fat content, eating more is both A good nutritional supplement, it will not increase blood lipids and blood sugar or cause cardiovascular or cerebrovascular diseases. Pigeon meat has quite high nutritional value, 9 times more than chicken meat. The dishes made from pigeon meat have a very good effect on nourishing the body, especially for women who are pregnant, malnourished children, or people who have just woken up. It is said that eating pigeon meat will increase ones sex drive.
Pigeon soup is highly recommended for convalescing patients in some cultures as it is easily digested and rich in nutrients.
