Growth pattern of pigeon squabs in Bauchi metropolis, Nigeria

The study was conducted between September and December 2004, to assess some growth parameters of pigeon squabs at household level. Data on body weight (BW) of 45 squabs were taken from day of hatch to 18 days (at intervals of 3 days) from eleven (11) households. The mean body weight at hatching was 12.81 + 0.65g, while it was 219.82 + 8g at 18 days; males were significantly heavier than females at all ages. The average weight gains (AWG) per day from 0 to 3 and 15 to 18 days were 8.91 + 0.87g and 8.13 + 0.67g, respectively. The highest rates of growth were observed between the third and ninth days post-hatching. This study has shown that by the 18 th day post hatching, a squab could attain a weight 17 times its weight at hatching. Therefore, raising these birds in large numbers will augment the animal protein requirement in the country. Animal Production Research Avancees Vol. 3 (1) 2007: pp. 52-54