PIGEON (COLUMBIA LIVIA VAR DOMESTICA) BIODIVERSITY WITHIN BAUCHI METROPOLIS

Abstract

A study was therefore carried out to assess the range of variation, within the various pigeon population in Bauchi metropolis, to ascertain the number of strains available. The data utilized from this study where enerated from 58 household in Bauchi metropolises, Nigeria, between July 2016 and April 2017. Data on local names of the various strains and morphological parameters were collected. The morphological parameters measured included; Live weight (LW), breast Girth (BG), Body length (BL), shank length (SL), wing Span (WS) and Tail length (TL). Live weight was measured using an electronic weighing scale while the other body measurements were done with a measuring tape. All data collected on body measurements subjected to analysis of variance using the general linear model of IBM SPSS version 20.0 and where means differed Duncan Multiple Range Test was used to separate them. The study identified 22 unique strains of pigeons within Bauchi metropolis. Overall mean live weight of all pigeon strains was found to be 553.48g. The heaviest was the Mondain with an average LW of 1002.2g and while the Na gida strain had the least LW of 267.17g. Breast girth was also highest for the Mondain while the shantu fara had the smallest. However, the Romanian deck nail and the poulter (p<0.05) had the longest body. The males were heavier and had broader breast girth and longer body length than the females. Shank length was similar for all the strains. It was concluded that there is potential for future selection and breeding for intensive squab production.