noun
Refers to pigeons bred in captivity, as opposed to wild rock doves. Often used in contrast with ドバト (feral pigeon).
See also: ドバト
家鳩は古くから伝書鳩として利用されてきた。
Domestic pigeons have long been used as carrier pigeons.
公園にいるのはほとんどがドバトで、家鳩は少ない。
Most of the pigeons in the park are feral pigeons; domestic pigeons are rare.
ドバト refers to feral pigeons living in urban areas, while 家鳩 specifically means domesticated pigeons bred by humans.
Compound of 家 (いえ, 'house') and 鳩 (はと, 'pigeon'), literally 'house pigeon'. The reading いえばと is a straightforward combination of the kun'yomi readings.