PHENOTYPIC CHARACTERIZATION OF NIGERIAN INDIGENOUS PIGEON IN AKWANGA LOCAL GOVERNMENT AREA OF NASARAWA STATE

Abstract

The study was conducted using one hundred and fifty (150) matured domestic pigeons and 200 eggs to measure body linear parameters and external and internal egg quality characteristics. Data were taken at maturity on body weight, shank length, breast girth, body length, wing length, tail length and beak length. The eggs were analysed for both external and internal quality characteristics. The data obtained were analyssed using descriptive statistics of the SPSS Statistical software version 21.The result obtained from this study showed that the domestic pigeon in Akwanga Local Government Area of Nasarawa State are of medium size. The percent coefficient of variation (CV) among the linear body measurements was highest (17.54) in shank length while that of egg quality characteristics was highest in yolk height (17.71). However, body length demonstrated the least (7.84) percent CV for body parameters while egg shape index demonstrated the least percent CV value (0.21) for egg quality traits. From the findings of this study, it was concluded that shank length is the most suitable body measurement for selection of domestic pigeon due to it high coefficient of variation.