Carcass characteristics of pigeons reared in Bauchi Metropolis, north eastern Nigeria

Abstract

This study was conducted to assess the carcass characteristics of pigeons, reared under household conditions in Bauchi metropolis, Northeastern Nigeria. The mean live weight of the pigeons was 234.90±10.70 g (254.40±15.60 g for males, 215.20±12.30 g for females, 269.30±12.80 g for adults and 200.40±7.32 g for squabs). The average slaughter weight was 224.10±10.20 g (243.30±14.80 g for males, 204.80±11.70 g for females, and 256.20±12.60 g for adults and 191.90±7.06 g for squabs). The average carcass weight was 147.60±8.90 g (159.80±13.30 g for males, 135.40±11.20 g for females; 176.60±10.80 g for adults and 118.60±5.51 g for squabs). Males differed significantly (p<0.05) from females as did adults from squabs. The overall dressing percentage was 62.15% (62.10% for males, 62.20% for females, 65.27% for adults and 59.03% for squabs). There were remarkable differences (p<0.05) between males and females as well as between adults and squabs dressing percentages. Most of the traits were positively correlated. However, liver and pancreas weights tended to associate negatively with most of them.

Key words: Pigeon, squab, carcass weight, dressing out percentage, live weight, Nigeria