Can kefir supplementation influence the growth performance and serum biochemistry of artificially reared squabs of three pigeon breeds?

Akbağ, Hande Işıl; Şensoy, Atakan; Erdem, Hakan; Yiğit, Soner; Tölü, Cemil; Savaş, Türker

doi:10.5194/aab-69-529-2026

Articles | Volume 69, issue 3

https://doi.org/10.5194/aab-69-529-2026

© Author(s) 2026. This work is distributed under
the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 License.

https://doi.org/10.5194/aab-69-529-2026

© Author(s) 2026. This work is distributed under
the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 License.

Articles | Volume 69, issue 3

Original study

|

30 Sep 2026

Original study |

| 30 Sep 2026

Can kefir supplementation influence the growth performance and serum biochemistry of artificially reared squabs of three pigeon breeds?

Hande Işıl Akbağ, Atakan Şensoy, Hakan Erdem, Soner Yiğit, Cemil Tölü, and Türker Savaş

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Intensive pigeon breeding is limited because squabs depend on species-specific crop milk. Artificial crop milk developed for industrial use has been associated with lower survival and higher mortality, likely due to missing bioactive compounds and beneficial microbiota. Kefir was also tested. However, parent-fed squabs showed better growth and blood parameters, while artificially fed birds had poorer performance and survival.

Intensive pigeon breeding is limited because squabs depend on species-specific crop milk....

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