You’ve probably heard of cow’s milk, maybe even goat’s milk—but pigeon milk? It sounds bizarre, yet it’s very real. And if you’re raising or racing pigeons, understanding this unique biological feature is key to raising strong, healthy chicks.
While you’re learning about pigeon parenting, don’t forget tools like the Pigeon Velocity Calculator. It’s essential for monitoring performance once those baby birds grow into elite flyers.
Do Pigeons Produce Milk?
Yes, pigeons produce a substance called crop milk.
It’s not milk in the mammal sense (no udders involved), but it serves a similar purpose: nourishing newborns. Both male and female pigeons can produce this thick, nutrient-rich secretion to feed their young.
This makes pigeons one of the very few bird species capable of such a function—an evolutionary marvel of avian care.
What Is Crop Milk?
Crop milk is a semi-solid, cheese-like substance produced in the crop—a muscular part of the bird’s digestive system located near the throat. It’s high in protein and fat and contains immune-boosting elements vital for newly hatched squabs (baby pigeons).
Key Features:
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Produced by both male and female pigeons
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Begins a day or two before eggs hatch
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Secreted from the lining of the crop
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Regulated by the hormone prolactin (the same hormone involved in human milk production)
Unlike mammalian milk, crop milk doesn’t contain lactose and is made from sloughed-off crop cells rather than being excreted from glands.
Why Is Crop Milk So Important?
Squabs are born blind, featherless, and completely dependent on their parents. They can’t digest seeds or grains at first. Crop milk gives them:
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Essential antibodies to boost immunity
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Highly digestible protein and fat
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A strong nutritional start before transitioning to solid food
Without crop milk in the first 7–10 days, squabs have almost no chance of survival.
Which Other Birds Produce Milk?
While it’s rare, a few other birds have similar milk-like capabilities:
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Flamingos
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Male Emperor Penguins
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Doves (closely related to pigeons)
But pigeons are the most well-known and consistent producers of crop milk among all bird species.
How Long Do Pigeons Feed Crop Milk?
Typically:
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Days 1–3: Crop milk is the only food squabs receive.
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Days 4–7: Crop milk is mixed with partially digested seeds.
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After 7 days: Parents begin to transition them to softened grains and seeds.
By two weeks, crop milk production winds down, and squabs rely on more standard pigeon fare.
How Can You Tell If a Pigeon Is Producing Crop Milk?
Here are some signs:
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The crop area looks full or swollen
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You can see a thick, white substance in the beak during feeding
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Chicks grow quickly and appear well-fed in the first week
Tip: If hand-raising a chick, you must replicate crop milk with a special formula. Regular birdseed won’t work for neonates.
What Happens If the Parents Don’t Produce Milk?
It can happen—especially with young or stressed pairs. In that case, you’ll need to step in with a hand-feeding formula designed to mimic crop milk. Without it, squabs can become weak, dehydrated, or die within days.
Pro breeders and racers often keep a close eye on hatchlings, ensuring early growth is on track. And once those squabs grow into racing birds, tools like the Pigeon Velocity Calculator help track their development over time.
Do All Pigeon Breeds Produce Crop Milk?
Yes, all domesticated and wild pigeon breeds do. From fancy show breeds to high-performance racing pigeons, crop milk is universal in pigeon parenting.
However, some breeds—especially those bred more for appearance than function—may struggle with natural feeding and require extra human support.
How Crop Milk Influences Racing Performance
You might not think early feeding impacts racing, but strong chicks = strong adults. Pigeons that receive proper nutrition from the start tend to:
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Grow faster
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Develop better feathers
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Show higher endurance
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Have stronger immune systems
Many top breeders track this from day one, building feeding schedules and flight regimens with tools like the Pigeon Velocity Calculator to monitor long-term health and flight metrics.
Common Questions About Pigeon Milk
Is it actually milk?
Not technically. It’s a milk-like secretion from crop tissue—not from mammary glands.
Can humans touch or harvest it?
No. Crop milk is regurgitated directly into the chick’s mouth. It’s not something you can collect or use.
Can orphan chicks survive without it?
Yes, but only with special hand-feeding formulas designed to mimic its nutrient profile.
Conclusion: A Unique Kind of “Milk” for a Unique Bird
So, do pigeons produce milk?
Yes—but it’s called crop milk, and it’s one of the most fascinating adaptations in the bird world. Produced by both parents, it gives squabs the perfect start in life—boosting growth, immunity, and strength from day one.
Whether you’re a breeder, racer, or curious bird lover, understanding crop milk is key to supporting healthy pigeons. And once those squabs are in training, the Pigeon Velocity Calculator helps you raise not just strong birds—but champions.