SOME PHENOTYPIC CHARACTERISTICS AND BREEDING METHODS OF EXOTIC BREEDS OF PIGEON IN BAUCHI METROPOLIS, BAUCHI STATE, NIGERIA

Abstract

The study was conducted to determine the characteristic and economic value of exotic breeds of pigeon in Bauchi Metropolis. Purposive sampling was employed to select farmers of exotic breeds of pigeon in Bauchi metropolis and a total of 60 respondents were used. The study revealed that 100% of the respondents were males and 50% aged between 26-35 years, followed by 16-25 years (25%) while the least (10%) aged between 5-15 years. Majority (51.67%) of the respondents had secondary school certificate while 48.33% attained tertiary education level. Majority (58.33%) of the farmers practiced inbreeding only. However, 41.67% of the respondents practiced both inbreeding and out-breeding. Furthermore this study revealed that 28 different exotic breeds of pigeon with unique features were available in Bauchi metropolis. Majority (66.7%) of the exotic breeds of pigeon with good flying ability were small size while the least (11.1%) was recorded among large ones. However, the large breed recorded highest poor flying ability (60%) followed by (40%) among average size, none of small size breed had poor flying ability. Most (75%) of them had average resistance to prevalence diseases when compared with the local breed. Female farmers should be encouraged to rear exotic breeds of pigeon. Cross breeding of exotic and local breeds of pigeon should be employed to complement each other.