Most pigeons (order Columbiformes) are either primarily granivorous or frugivorous, with some invertebrates also consumed. Seed-eating pigeons and doves can be fed commercial pigeon pellets (2 mm in diameter). These composition of these pellets should be comparable to that listed in the NRC requirements for growing chickens 6–12 weeks old. Alternatively, most Columbiformes accept small pellets and mash formulated for psittacines; however, depending on the pellets' composition, they may have to be supplemented.
Columbiforme parents feed their young with crop milk, which is produced from desquamated epithelial cells and glandular secretions of the crop. Crop milk is rich in fat and protein, devoid of carbohydrates, and low in pH, and it contains several Lactobacillus spp. Seed-eating pigeons transition over 4–7 days from producing crop milk for their young to feeding them mostly regurgitated seed. Frugivorous pigeon squabs (eg, crowned pigeons) rely on crop milk for at least 30 days. Some commercial crop milk replacers are available, as are products that contain several bacterial species, including Lactobacillus spp, which should improve digestion in pigeon crops.
