Phenotypic Characterization Of Domestic Pigeon (Columba Livia Domestica) Resourses In The Northern Region Of Ghana

ABSTRACT

This study aimed at characterizing the phenotypic, morphology and production performance of the domestic pigeon resources of the Northern region and also, looking at the socio-economic characteristics of pigeon production systems in Northern region of Ghana. Ninety (90) pigeon farmers were sampled from nine (9) districts, ten (10) farmers from each of the districts using snowball sampling method. Pigeon farmers were interviewed using a semi-structured interview and questionnaire on social characteristics of pigeon farmers, pigeon management practices and production.  The socio-economic analysis indicated that pigeons played an important role in the social lives of most of the farmers especially in rural areas. Pigeon farmers were predominantly males, about 94.4% with high level of illiteracy (83%). Pigeon farmers in Northern region described the birds as hardy and highly resistant to diseases with rate of mortality as low as (05%) throughout a year. Three hundred and sixty (360) pigeons were sampled for morphological measurements. The effects of variety, region and sex on body measurements were analyzed and phenotypic correlations among the various body and egg measurements were estimated. Regression equations were also fitted for body weight using body measurements. Four (4) eye colours were identified as orange/yellow, pearl/white, bull and cracked of which the orange eye colour had the largest presentation in the nine districts of the Northern region accounting for over 75% and cracked accounting for least 1.1% of the pigeons sampled. Ten plumage colour types were identified: blue bar, blue check, black spread, white, ash red, ash red bar, brown, brown check, pied, and tiger. Pied accounted for 25.8% which was the largest presentation and brown check accounted for least 1.9%. The effect of plumage colour variety was a significant (p 0.05) values for all the morphological parameters. Pigeons of the various districts were different in terms of body length (p < 0.01), wing span (p 0.05). In conclusion, pigeon breeds in Northern Ghana were local with small body conformation, wide range of plumage colour varieties, males been superior to female, hardy and highly prolific coupled with high growth rate.