Optimal dietary energy and protein levels for breeding pigeons in the winter "2 + 3" lactation pattern

The nutritional requirements of breeding pigeons depend on their physiological period, breeding pattern, and environmental conditions. Despite works on reduced litter size in winter production to combat high mortality and the poor welfare of squabs, there are few studies on the related nutritional requirements of these pigeons. A total of 432 pairs of European Mimas pigeons were randomly divided into 9 groups in which 3 crude protein (CP) levels (15, 16.5, and 18%) and 3 metabolizable energy (ME) levels (12.2 MJ/kg, 12.4 MJ/kg, and 12.6 MJ/kg) were tested to determine the optimal energy and protein requirements of breeding pigeons in the winter "2 + 3" breeding pattern. The results showed that ME and CP levels had little effect on the body weight, feed intake, and egg quality of breeding pigeons during the lactation period. An 18% CP diet significantly increased the laying rate and hatchability (P < 0.05), but there was no difference in the laying rate with 18% CP and 16.5% CP during the whole reproductive cycle (P > 0.05). There was a significant interaction between ME and CP levels, and the laying interval of breeding pigeons in group 9 (18% CP; 12.6 MJ/kg) was significantly shortened (P < 0.05). For squabs, the ME level had no effect on growth performance, slaughter performance, or meat quality. The body weight of 21-day-old squabs in the 18% CP group increased by 3.16% compared with that of the 15% CP group, but there was no difference between the 18% CP and 16.5% CP groups. Compared with other experimental groups, group 7 (18% CP; 12.2 MJ/kg) had the fastest growth rate in squabs (P < 0.05), and the corresponding slaughter weight was also the heaviest (P < 0.05). We further found that the height of the squab intestinal epithelium was significantly increased in both the 16.5% CP and 18% CP groups of squabs (P < 0.01), but male breeding pigeons showed a certain degree of oxidative stress with an increase in CP level. In conclusion, the effects of 15 to 18% CP levels and 12.2 to 12.6 MJ/kg ME levels on the reproductive metabolism of breeding pigeons and the growth and development of squabs in the "2 + 3" breeding pattern during winter are small. For economic efficiency, we suggest that the CP level can be reduced to 16.5% while the ME level should not be less than 12.2 MJ/kg in practical production.