Phenotypic Characteristics of Pigeons (Columbia livia var domestica) found in Rain Forest Zone of Nigeria

Samuel Oladipo Kolawole FAJEMILEHIN

Morphological characterization is an essential tool in assessing the genetic properties of any animal species. Although, it has been largely explored in many poultry species but little had been done in pigeon. Data on metric and non metric traits were collected on two hundred and eight (208) pigeons: 44 squabs, 45 weaners and 119 adults for the purpose of this study. The metric traits measured were body weight, body length and chest width while the non metric traits were the colour of the eyes, plumage patterns (on the head, wings and tail) and the colouration of the body extremities. Five types of pigeons: Types A, B, C, D and E were encountered in the study. Type C recorded the highest frequency of occurrence (29.81 %) while type E recorded the lowest frequency of occurrence (12.02 %). The body weights (g) among the groups though statistically similar {p>0.05) were 282.91g, 284.83g, 286.60g, 281.37g and 279.45g, respectively, for types A, B, C, D and E. Body length and chest width of squab and adult pigeons and the effect of age group on them were similar (p>0.05). Sex showed significant (p<0.05) effect on body weight and body dimensions of the birds with the male showing higher values. The length and width measurements of the weaner were significantly (p<0.05) lower to those of the squabs and adults. Pearson’s correlation coefficients (r) of body weight with body length (r=0.33) and chest width (r =0.31) were positively correlated (p<0.05). Like in most tropical breeds of animals, indigenous pigeons had a small body size. The lack of statistical differences in the body weight of the various strains of pigeon suggested a high level of homozygosity in the pigeon genetic resource.