Effect of Feeding Different Rations on Performance of Pigeon Parent Stock and Their Squabs

Abstract

A comparison between sorghum grain (SG), water melon seeds (WMS), groundnut kernels (GNK) and sesame seeds (SS) as feed supplements in pigeon breeder rations was made. The ingredients were included in 7 dietary regimes namely SG, SG-GNK, SG-SS, SG-WMS-GNK, SG-SS-GNK1, SG-SS-GNK2 and SG-WMS. The ingredients’ respective proportions in the 7 dietary regimes were: 99; 78:21; 78:21 75:12:12; 75:12:12; 75:4:20 and 72:27. Three feeding trials were conducted. In each of the first and second experiments, 4 dietary regimes were examined. The four dietary regimes were randomly distributed to 12 pairs of pigeon parents which were accommodated in similar experimental pens within an open sided house so that each pair in a pen constituted one of 3 replicates of a diet. The experimental pens were provided with feeders, drinkers and box nests. Feed and water were provided ad libitum throughout the 2 experimental periods. Data was collected on feed intake, body weight, egg number, egg weight, broken eggs, egg fertility and hatchability percentage, embryonic death, squabs number, growth and mortality rates in addition to feed conversion ratios. The 3rd experiment was a continuation of the first experiment. The dietary regimes that provided sufficient numbers of squabs were used to rear the squabs to their sexual maturity. Data was collected on feed intake, body weight and age at sexual maturity. The results of the 3 experiments strongly favored the use of SG-GNK in feeding pigeon breeders during their breeding cycle and rearing stage. The results also revealed that combinations of SG-GNK in respective proportions of 78:21 or SG-SS-GNK (75: 12: 12) exert a marked beneficial effect as measured by gains and survival in squabs produced, feed utilization efficiency, egg production rate, embryonic viability, fertility and hatchability percentages. On the contrary, SG-WMS and SG-SS mixtures failed to produce a beneficial effect which suggested either incompatibility or presence of anti-nutritional factors. Notwithstanding the fact that the SG alone or with GNK promoted fertility of the pigeon breeders to the maximum, SG alone failed to secure satisfactory hatchability, feed utilization efficiency, squab growth rate, embryonic and post-hatching viabilities especially during the summer season. Unlike the other dietary regimes, SG-GNK and SG-SS-GNK-2 (76: 12: 12) seemed to be adequate. It shortened the incubation time from 18 to 14 days which may be one of the potential merits of the endogenous pigeon breeds.