Preliminary results of a survey on the links between pigeon training, pigeon races and pigeon welfare

Animal welfare is becoming a major concern for society worldwide, especially when animal are merely used for sport. Today some people have a bad image of pigeon racing mainly based on the senseless complains of some animal-welfare organisation. While many studies are dedicated to pigeon medicine, infection or orientation of homing pigeons, there are almost no studies on overall pigeon welfare or, more specifically, on and the influence of training methods, competitions and pigeon welfare.
In 2022, a preliminary study funded by the Walloon Region - Department of Quality and Animal Welfare – was carried out at the request of the Minister in charge of animal welfare, on the putative impact of management and training system on pigeon welfare. This short (6 months) study had 3 parts. The first part was an in-depth analysis of the scientific literature (peered reviewed or grey literature) available over the last 40 years. The second part consisted of trying to obtain relevant data concerning the management of racing pigeons and the appropriate training to be given in relation to pigeon welfare. Finally, the third part aimed to highlight any specific welfare problems and to formulate recommendations that could be included in specific rules or legislation.
To achieve these goals, standardised surveys were carried out among pigeon fanciers (Belgium comparison Flanders vs Wallonia) and veterinarians (Europe) who commonly treat pigeons. A global analysis of the RFCB registration system for pigeons taking part in competitions organised in Belgium was also carried out in order to compare the flight profiles (age, distances, ….) from pigeons in the Walloon Region and in the Flemish Region over the entire 2022 pigeon racing season. Finally, the foreign pigeon fanciers' federations were also contacted in order to obtain information about their internal organisation and on any relevant data available in their countries.
Unfortunately, the results obtained for these different parts were fragmentary and of uneven quality. Nevertheless, at the end of this very short research, no major animal welfare problems were identified that would require immediate measures to be taken. Some situations that sometimes raise questions can be suspected, but these are the result of individual problems rather than global issues. The need for further, longer-term research was also highlighted.