Blood chemistry reference values in racing pigeons (Columba livia domestica)

Reference values for 23 blood chemical parameters in racing pigeons (Columba livia domestica) were established for use in clinical pathology. The inner limits are given for the percentiles P(2).(5) and P(97.5) with a probability of 90%. A minimum of 50 blood samples collected between September and January from different animals aged between 6 months and 12 years (median 1.5 years) was used for each parameter. Reference values obtained in the present study are compared with values published previously.