PHENOTYPIC CORRELATION OF BODY WEIGHTS OF DOMESTIC PIGEON SQUABS (COLUMBA LIVIA) AT DIFFERENT AGES IN MAIDUGURI, BORNO STATE, NIGERIA

Abstract

This research was carried out to determine phenotypic correlation on body weights of domestic pigeon squabs at the Livestock Teaching and Research farm, Ramat Polytechnic, Maiduguri Borno state. The information recorded was weights at days 0-30 at three days interval. Data collected were analyzed using the statistical package for Social Sciences (SPSS) and significant means were separated by the Duncan’s multiple range tests. The results obtained revealed that the mean body weight of pigeon from day old to 30 days range between 17.33±0.19 and 346.69±1.98 g. The phenotypic correlations among body weights at different ages of domestic pigeon squabs were generally high and positive and ranged from 0.55 (for 3 days Bodyweight × 30 days bodyweight) to 0.97 (for 27 days bodyweight × 30 days bodyweight). Phenotypic correlations of body weight increased with increase in age of domestic pigeon squabs. The strong and positive correlation between body weights at different ages could be as a result of the same genes were controlling the bodyweight traits at different ages with increasing expressivity. This suggests that the improvement in bodyweights at any age could lead to an affiliated increase in the associated ages as a result of the strong and positive relationship between bodyweights of squabs at different ages.