EFFECTS OF PLUMAGE COLOUR, SHANK TYPE AND SHANK COLOUR ON BODY WEIGHTS OF DOMESTIC PIGEON SQUABS (COLUMBA LIVIA) IN MAIDUGURI, BORNO STATE, NIGERIA

Abstract

This research was carried out to determine the effects of plumage colour, shank type and shank colour on body weights of domestic pigeon squabs at the Livestock Teaching and Research farm, Ramat Polytechnic, Maiduguri Borno state. The information collected were plumage colour, shank type, shank colour and 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 15.51±0.09 and 363.64±1.88 g. The highest body weights among the plumage color were recorded in White and Black colour combination at all ages, and the least was White Gray and Brown colour combination. In all the ages, White and Black had significantly (p<0.05) higher than other plumage colors. The results obtained also revealed that pigeon squabs with intermediate red shank color were significantly heavier (p<0.05) than their counterparts in all the age groups. Shank type had no effect (p>0.05) on body weight of indigenous pigeon squabs. However, improvement in body weight pigeon of squabs up 30 days of age can be achieved with intermediate red shank and black/white plumage colour combination.