Turmeric is a spice that people have used in traditional medicine for a very long time.
Please note: this article is general information and is not a substitute for advice from an avian vet or a licensed wildlife rehabilitator. If you have found an injured or sick bird, contact a vet or your local rescue (see our list of pigeon-friendly rescue centres).
Some pigeon fanciers add it to their birds’ diet because they believe it helps against coccidiosis, E. coli and canker. There is no good research in pigeons to show that it does.
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If you want to try it, turmeric can be fed to pigeons by mixing turmeric powder (opens in new tab) with water and rolling it into a small ball for them to eat.
What is Turmeric?
Turmeric is a flowering plant of the ginger family but it is mainly the root that is used.
Turmeric has been used in Ancient Chinese and Ayurvedic medicine for millennia and cooking for centuries.
Most of us know it for its infamous yellow color and its use as one of the key ingredients in curry powder.
Its main active compound is curcumin (opens in new tab), which has been studied a lot in people and in lab animals.
Some of that research points to anti-inflammatory and antioxidant effects, but the results are mixed and almost none of it was done on pigeons. What holds for people does not automatically hold for birds.
Is Turmeric Used For Pigeons?
Many pigeon owners use turmeric with their birds, but it is important to note that there has been little or no published research or scientific study to evidence the benefits of turmeric for pigeons.
Evidence is anecdotal and is based on feedback and experience shared among the pigeon fancying community.
Racing pigeon keepers, especially those with racing lofts, are always looking for natural ways to keep their birds healthy, and turmeric gets passed around a lot. Being popular in the loft is not the same as being proven, though.
Why is Turmeric Given to Pigeons?
Fanciers mostly mention turmeric for three problems. None of these uses has been properly tested in pigeons, and none of them replaces a diagnosis and treatment from an avian vet.
Turmeric for Coccidiosis
Coccidiosis is one of the most common pigeon diseases.
It is a parasitic disease and widespread among the younger pigeon population.
While not having a dangerous mortality rate, birds are much healthier without it.
If you want your young pigeons to develop into racers, keeping coccidiosis under control matters.
Coccidiosis is also extremely common in chickens and because of their role in the human food supply, there has been much scientific research into the disease in chicken flocks.
Studies (opens in new tab) in chickens suggest turmeric in the feed may reduce some of the effects of coccidiosis. Chickens are not pigeons, so treat this as a hint rather than proof, and see an avian vet if you suspect coccidiosis.
Turmeric for E.Coli
There is some lab research on turmeric and E. coli, but none of it in pigeons.
E. coli is a bacterium, not a parasite.
It normally lives in a pigeon’s gut without causing trouble, but it can cause an infection, especially in birds that are already weak or stressed.
Some fanciers use turmeric for this, along with apple cider vinegar and garlic, but there is no good evidence that it treats an E. coli infection. A sick bird needs an avian vet.
Turmeric for Canker
Although it’s hard to find scientific evidence, there is lots of information shared on many pigeon forums that suggest that turmeric is an effective treatment for canker.
Turmeric does show anti-inflammatory and antibacterial effects in lab tests, but that does not mean it can cure canker. Canker is caused by a parasite and needs proper treatment from an avian vet.
Birdy Bread
This is a DIY treat for pigeons and you’ll find a huge number of recipes online.
It is a tasty way to give pigeons a little turmeric.
Are There Any Risks Giving Turmeric to Pigeons?
Turmeric may also slow blood clotting a little.
That could matter for a bird that is bleeding.
Avoid giving your pigeon turmeric at these times:
- during moulting season.
- when they have an open wound.
- when they have a broken blood feather.
How Do You Give Turmeric to A Pigeon?
There are a large number of supplements containing turmeric that you can buy in any good pet store or online.
These are usually supplements that are made with several different beneficial ingredients, turmeric being only one on a longer list.
To feed Turmeric to a pigeon follow these steps to make a Turmeric ball that your pigeon can eat:
- Mix a little bit of water with turmeric.
- Roll the Turmeric until it makes a small ball about the size of a peanut.
- Gently place it in the pigeon’s throat for them to swallow.
Turmeric should never be the treatment for a sick pigeon. If your bird is ill, see an avian vet. In a healthy bird a little turmeric now and then is unlikely to do harm, but don’t count on it to boost immunity or prevent disease.
Last updated 1 November 2026 · Nutrition