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Simple Summary: Intestinal microorganisms are critical for the health and development of pigeons, influencing nutrient digestion and exercise performance. This study examines the gut microbiota of squabs and their parent pigeons, with a particular focus on the effect of parental microbiota on offspring. Ten pairs of parent pigeons and twenty squabs were analyzed, with fecal samples collected at 15 days of age. The results revealed that squabs exhibited significantly lower α diversity than their parents, with Firmicutes predominating in both groups but a higher abundance of Proteobacteria found in the parental feces. Distinct bacterial species were identified, along with significant differences in the functional genes associated with metabolism. LC-MS/MS analysis identified 218 metabolites, revealing notable discrepancies between the squabs and parents. These findings indicate substantial differences in gut microbiota compositions and metabolites, suggesting the potential for probiotic interventions to improve gut health in pigeons. Intestinal microorganisms are essential for maintaining homeostasis, health, and development, playing a critical role in nutrient digestion, growth, and exercise performance in pigeons. In young pigeons, the gut microbiota is primarily acquired through pigeon milk, meaning the microbial composition of parent pigeons directly influences microbial colonization in squabs. However, research on the correlation between the gut microbial diversity of parent pigeons and their offspring remains scarce. This study investigates the fecal microbiota and metabolites of 10 pairs of parent pigeons and 20 squabs raised under a 2 + 2 system. Fecal samples were collected at 15 days of age, and differences in the microbiota and metabolites between the two groups were analyzed using 16S rRNA sequencing and LC-MS/MS. The results showed the following: (1) Squabs exhibited significantly lower α diversity, with a reduction in their Chao1 index and observed OTUs compared to the parent pigeons. (2) Firmicutes dominated the fecal microbiota in both groups, but parent pigeon feces showed a notably higher abundance of Proteobacteria. At the family level, 10 distinct families were identified, with 9 at the genus level and 4 at the species level. (3) A LEfSe analysis identified 16 significantly different bacterial species in the parent pigeons and 7 in the squabs. Functional gene abundance was highest in the metabolism, genetic information processing, and environmental information processing pathways. (4) An LC-MS/MS analysis in cationic mode identified 218 metabolites, with 139 upregulated and 79 downregulated in the squabs relative to the parents. These metabolites were primarily concentrated in five functional categories and enriched in 33 pathways, 2 of which showed significant differences. In conclusion, significant differences in both the α and β diversity of fecal microbiota were observed between squabs and parent pigeons, with similar bacterial species but marked differences in abundance. Metabolite analysis revealed greater richness in the parent pigeon feces. These findings suggest that future gut modulation using beneficial bacteria, such as probiotics, could potentially enhance host health based on microbial and metabolite compositions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Simple Summary: Rapeseed meal, soybean meal, and corn bran are significant sources of protein that could serve as alternatives to conventional protein sources in poultry production. Nonetheless, their utilization in pigeon production is limited by the presence of anti-nutritional factors in these plant materials, as well as the feeding preferences of pigeons, which tend to favor raw grains of corn, soybean, and pea. The microbial fermentation of feed breaks down anti-nutritional substances, and has attracted the attention of poultry producers due to its beneficial effects on growth performance and gut function. In this study, we treated pigeons with fermented mixed feed (soybean meal–rapeseed meal–corn bran (6:3:1, m/m/m)) to improve the growth performance and gut health of squabs. Our results found that the fermented mixed feed promoted the growth performance of squabs, enhanced their intestinal morphology, increased the relative abundance of beneficial bacteria, and decreased the relative abundance of harmful bacteria. Furthermore, the squabs' metabolites were also influenced by the addition of the fermented feed. Overall, this study provides valuable insights into the potential benefits of using fermented feed in pigeon farming. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effect of fermented mixed feed (FMF) (soybean meal–rapeseed meal–corn bran (6:3:1, m/m/m)) on the growth performance, intestinal microbial communities, and metabolomes of squabs. One hundred and eighty 1-day-old squabs were randomly allocated to two groups, each containing six replicates of fifteen squabs cared for by 60 pairs of breeding pigeons secreting crop milk. Each pair of breeding pigeons cared for three squabs. The control group was fed a basal diet, while the experimental group was fed the basal diet containing 5% FMF. The results showed that daily weight gain, carcass weight, villus height, and the mRNA level of ZO-1 in the ileum were increased in the birds fed FMF compared to the control squabs (p < 0.05). Greater abundances of beneficial bacteria such as Lactobacillus, Bifidobacteria, and Bacillus as well as fewer harmful bacteria (i.e., Enterococcus, Veillonella, and Corynebacterium) in the ilea of squabs fed FMF. Six differential metabolites were identified in the FMF-treated squabs; one metabolite was increased (ω-salicoyisalicin) and five were decreased (3-benzoyloxy-6-oxo-12-ursen-28-oic acid, estradiol-17-phenylpropionate, aminotriazole, phosphatidyl ethanolamine (22:6/0:0), and 1-arachidonoylglycerophosphoinositol). Positive correlations were observed between the abundance of Lactobacillus and villus height. Overall, FMF treatment improved both growth and intestinal health in pigeons, suggesting potential benefits for pigeon production. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The purpose of the experiment was to explore the effects of different crude protein levels under the '2+2' production mode on the reproductive performance White King breeding pigeons and growth performance of squabs. In the experiment, 168 pairs of 300-day-old healthy breeding pigeons with similar egg laying performance were randomly divided into four groups, each group had seven replicates, each replicate was six pairs of breeding pigeons, and each pair of breeding pigeons was fed with two squabs. Group I, Group II, Group III, and Group IV were fed diets with the crude protein levels of 13.43%, 15.04%, 16.64%, and 18.25%, respectively. The experimental period was 46 days, including 18 days (1~18 days) of incubation and 28 days (19~46 days) of lactation. The results showed that the laying interval of Group II and Group III was significantly lower than that of group I (P<0.05), the fertilization rate of eggs in Group III was significantly higher than that of Group I and Group IV (P<0.05), and the hatchability rate of eggs in Group III was extremely higher than that in Group I, Group II, and Group IV (P<0.01). The 28-day-old body weight of the squabs in Group III was significantly higher than that in Group I (P<0.05), the slaughter rate of the squabs was extremely higher than that in Group I (P<0.01), and the pectoral muscle rate of the squabs was significantly higher than that in Group I, Group II, and Group IV (P<0.05). The litter of feed to gain ratio 1 of Group II, Group III, and Group IV was extremely lower than that of Group I (P<0.01). The study shows that different crude protein levels affect the reproductive performance of breeding pigeons, the growth performance of suckling pigeons and the weight ratio of nest stock, and in the '2+2' production mode, it is recommended that the suitable crude protein level of White King breeding pigeon diet is 16.64%. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Early life nutritional supplementation can significantly improve pigeon health. Both the nutritional crops of parental pigeons and the intestinal development of squabs play key roles in the growth rate of squabs. Tea polyphenols (TPs), as natural plant extracts, exhibit potential biological activities. However, the impact of TPs on the intestinal function of squabs is not known. This study evaluated the effects of TPs on growth performance, immunity, antioxidation, and intestinal function in squabs. A total of 432 young pigeons (1 day old) were divided into four groups: a control group (fed a basic diet) and three treatment groups (low, medium, and high dose groups; 100, 200, and 400 mg/kg TPs, respectively). On the 28th day, samples of serum, mucosal tissue, and digests from the ileum of squabs were collected for analysis. The results revealed that TP supplementation significantly reduced the feed-to-meat ratio and improved the feed utilization rate and serum biochemical indices in squabs. Additionally, it enhanced the intestinal barrier function of birds by promoting intestinal development and integrity of tight junctions and regulating digestive enzyme activities and intestinal flora. Mechanistically, TPs activated the Nrf2-ARE signaling pathway, which may be associated with improved antioxidant and immune responses, correlating with an increased abundance of Candida arthritis and Corynebacterium in the ileum. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Simple Summary: Fat-related traits, such as intramuscular fat content and fatty acid compositions, are important factors affecting meat quality. In this study, we aimed to identify candidate genes affecting fat-related traits in meat-type pigeons. Double-digest restriction-associated DNA sequencing was employed to screen genomic single nucleotide polymorphisms in two meat-type pigeon breeds (the Chinese indigenous Shiqi pigeon and the imported White King pigeon) which demonstrated significant differences in fat-related meat traits. Gene ontology enrichment analysis and pathway analysis were performed on genes harboring genetic variants, and with clear annotations. Nineteen functional genes involved in lipid metabolism were identified as candidate genes that may affect fat-related traits in squabs. A molecular docking analysis further revealed that three non-synonymous amino acid mutations, resulting from the polymorphic sites in three functional genes, could influence the binding properties between the enzymatic proteins and their substrates, which may subsequently alter the catalytic efficiency of enzymes. We suggested that these three genes (acetyl-CoA acyltransferase 1 and 2, acetyl-CoA carboxylase beta), which encode rate-limiting enzymes in fatty acid synthesis and degradation, were worthy of further investigation to explore their contributions to the discrepancies in fat-related traits in squabs. The Chinese indigenous Shiqi (SQ) pigeon and the imported White King (WK) pigeon are two meat-type pigeon breeds of economical and nutritional importance in China. They displayed significant differences in such meat quality traits as intramuscular fat (IMF) content and fatty acid (FA) compositions in the breast muscles. In this study, we aimed to screen candidate genes that could affect fat-related meat quality traits in meat-type pigeons. We investigated the polymorphic variations at the genomic level using double-digest restriction-associated DNA (ddRAD) sequencing in 12 squabs of SQ and WK pigeons that exhibited significant inter-breed differences in IMF content as well as FA and amino acid compositions in the breast muscles, and screened candidate genes influencing fat-related traits in squabs through gene ontology analysis and pathway analysis. By focusing on 6019 SNPs, which were located in genes with correct annotations and had the potential to induce changes in the encoded proteins, we identified 19 genes (ACAA1, ACAA2, ACACB, ACADS, ACAT1, ACOX3, ACSBG1, ACSBG2, ACSL1, ACSL4, ELOVL6, FADS1, FADS2, HACD4, HADH, HADHA, HADHB, MECR, OXSM) as candidate genes that could affect fat-related traits in squabs. They were significantly enriched in the pathways of FA metabolism, degradation, and biosynthesis (p < 0.05). Results from molecular docking analysis further revealed that three non-synonymous amino acid alterations, ACAA1(S357N), ACAA2(T234I), and ACACB(H1418N), could alter the non-bonding interactions between the enzymatic proteins and their substrates. Since ACAA1, ACAA2, and ACACB encode rate-limiting enzymes in FA synthesis and degradation, alterations in the enzyme–substrate binding affinity may subsequently affect the catalytic efficiency of enzymes. We suggested that SNPs in these three genes were worthy of further investigation into their roles in explaining the disparities in fat-related traits in squabs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The experiment was conducted to investigate the effect of different selenium sources in parent pigeons diet on immune performance, antioxidant function and intestinal morphology of squabs. A total of 384 healthy one-day-old young pigeons with similar body weight were randomly divided into four groups with six replicates in each group and 16 young pigeons in each replicate. They were fed by the parent pigeons in a '2+4' pattern. Pigeons in control group (C group) were fed with basal diet, and pigeons in experimental groups were fed with basal diets supplemented with 0.3 mg/kg sodium selenite (SS group), yeast selenium (SY group) and nano-selenium (NS group), respectively. The experiment lasted for 28 d. The results showed that compared with group C, the ileal sIgA content of squabs in different selenium source groups was significantly increased (P<0.05), and serum IgA content of squabs in SY group and NS group was significantly increased ( P<0.05). Compared with C group, serum T-SOD activity of squabs in different selenium source groups was significantly increased ( P<0.05), and MDA content was significantly decreased ( P<0.05). Serum LDH activity of squabs in NS group was significantly decreased (P<0.05). Serum GSH-Px activity of squabs in SY group and NS group was significantly increased ( P<0.05). Compared with C group, T-SOD activity in ileal of squabs in different selenium source groups was significantly increased ( P<0.05). T-AOC in ileal of squabs in NS group was significantly increased ( P<0.05). Activity of GSH-Px and GPX2 in ileum of squabs in SY group and NS group were significantly increased ( P<0.05), while MDA content was significantly decreased ( P<0.05). Compared with control group, the villus height in ileum of squabs in SS group and NS group was significantly increased (P<0.05), the crypt depth of squabs in SY group was significantly decreased ( P<0.05), and the feather crypt ratio of squabs in different selenium source groups was significantly increased ( P<0.05). The intestinal villi of control group were dysplasia, and the intestinal villi of experimental groups were well developed. The study indicates that supplementation of different selenium sources can improve the immune performance and antioxidant function and regulate the intestinal morphology of squabs, and the effect of yeast selenium and nano-selenium are relatively better. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The nesting behavior of the Yellow-footed Green Pigeon Treron phoenicopterus was observed during its breeding season in 2021 in an urban region encompassing the Aligarh Muslim University Campus and the surrounding areas. Data were collected by searching nests in the study area. The breeding season for the species in the study sites begins in March and re-nesting is attempted even in July. A total of 31 nests were found on 24 trees belonging to eight species. The analysis of nest site characteristics revealed that Millingtonia hortensis, Azadirachta indica, and Dalbergia sissoo were the most important nest tree species, accounting for 69% of the identified nests during the study period. These findings contribute to our understanding of the nesting behavior of the Yellow-footed Green Pigeon in an urban environment and have implications for its conservation and management. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

1. The objective of this study was to examine the keratin composition of crop milk, the variation of epithelial thickness and keratin (K) gene expression in samples from young pigeon during incubation and chick rearing. 2. Crop milk was collected from 1-, 3- and 5-day-old squab crops for keratin content analysis. Results showed that K4 accounted for the highest proportion of all detected keratins. 3. In total, 42 pairs of adult pigeons were allocated to seven groups according to different stages to collect crop samples. Gene expression studies showed that the K3 gene expression was maximised at rearing Day 15 (15) and R1 in males and females, respectively. K6a gene level was the greatest at R15 in females, whereas it peaked at incubation Day 4 (I4) in males. The K12, K13, K23 and K80 gene levels were inhibited at the peak period of crop milk formation in comparison with I4. In females, K cochleal expression peaked at I10, whereas it was the greatest at R25 in males. K4 and K14 gene expression was the highest at I10 in females, while K4 and K14 were minimised at I17 and R7 in males, respectively. Gene expressions of K5, K8, K19 and K20 in males and K19 in females were maximised at R1. The K5, K20 and K75 gene levels in females peaked at R7. K75 and K8 expressions in males and females reached a maximum value at R25 and I17, respectively. 4. The epithelial thickness of male and female crops reached their greatest levels at R1 and had the highest correlation with K19. 5. These results emphasised the importance of keratinisation in crop milk formation, and different keratins probably play various roles during this period. The K19 was probably a marker for pigeon crop epithelium development. The sex of the parent pigeon affected keratin gene expression profiles. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The experiment was to investigate the effect of adding different levels of vitamin C (VC) to parent pigeons' diets on body weight, slaughter performance, meat quality, serum biochemical indexes and blood routine of squabs. 90 pairs of parent pigeons and 270 squabs with similar body weight at one-day-old were selected, and the parent pigeons and squabs were randomly divided into five groups, with six repelicates in each group. There were three cages in each cage with one pair of baby pigeons and three squabs. Group A, group B, group C, group D and group E were supplemented with 0, 200, 400, 800, and 1 600 mg/kg VC in basal diet, respectively. The pre-trial period was 7 d, and formal experimental period was 28 d. The results showed that there was no significant difference in final weight and average daily weight gain of squabs in each group (P>0.05). There was no significant difference in slaughtering rate, full evisceration rate, half evisceration rate, leg muscle rate, chest muscle rate, abdominal fat rate squabs in each group (P>0.05). There was no significant difference in drip loss, muscle pH value, brightness, redness and yellowness among the groups of squabs (P>0.05). There was no significant difference in serum content of total protein, albumin, glucose, total cholesterol, triglyceride, high-density lipoprotein cholesterol, low-density lipoprotein cholesterol and blood routine indexes in each group of squabs (P>0.05). The study indicates that adding 200~1 600 mg/kg VC to parent pigeon basal diet has no effect on body weight, slaughter performance, meat quality, serum biochemical indexes and blood routine of 28-day-old squabs. It is not recommended to add excessive VC to pigeons' diets to improve growth performance and product quality of squabs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

ABSTRACT We assessed the effect of health sand dietary supplementation with methionine (Met) on White King pigeons. Paired pigeons (n = 180) were fed one of five diets; group T1 received no added Met, while T2, T3, T4 and T5 received 30, 60, 90 and 120 g of supplemental DL-Met/kg, respectively. Each treatment was replicated three times with 24 pairs in each replicate. The results showed that supplementary Met had a minor effect on the length of the fourth primary wing feather in 28-day-old squabs (p>0.05), but the length of 14-day-old squabs in T2 was significantly longer (p=0.010). Dietary Met had a minor effect on Wnt-7a and fibroblast growth factor receptors-2 (FGFR-2) mRNA levels in 28-day-old squabs (p>0.05). The IGF-1 concentration in plasma was highest in T4 and lowest in T2 (p=0.012), but there was no difference between T1, T2 and T5 (p>0.05). In the chest muscle, the expression of IGF-1 in T3 and T4 was higher than in T1 (p=0.172 and 0.015, respectively). In the leg muscle, IGF-1 mRNA level was higher in T4 and T3, and lower in T2 (p>0.05). The results indicate that the optimal Met supplement for increasing fourth primary wing feather length was 30 g/kg Met in health sand, and the feathers were the longest in 14-day-old squabs. Adding 90 g/kg Met to health sand can improve the concentration of IGF-1, which is important for growth performance of pigeon squabs.

Mammalian neonates obtain antibodies, nutrients, and microbiota from breast milk that help them resist the complex growth environment. Similar to mammals’ lactation behavior for their offspring, parent pigeons regurgitate pigeon milk (PM) from their crops to feed the squabs. Whether pigeon milk is as valuable as mammalian milk is not clear, especially in terms of microbiota. This study adopted 16S rRNA gene sequencing to investigate the microbial composition and function in pigeon milk. We found abundant microbiota in pigeon milk. The dominant genera in parent pigeons’ milk were Lactobacillus, Enterococcus, Veillonella, and Bifidobacterium. An analysis of squab milk (SM) showed that Lactobacillus also accounted for a considerable proportion, followed by Bifidobacterium. Most of the squab milk microbial genera were also detected in parent pigeons. Microbial functional analysis showed that the squab milk microbes were more involved in the pathways of carbohydrate metabolism, amino acid metabolism, and energy metabolism. These findings indicated that microbiota play an important role in squabs and can be transmitted from parent pigeons to squabs by pigeon milk. The presence of plentiful probiotics in squabs also suggests that adding probiotics in artificial pigeon milk may promote the growth and development of squabs and improve the production performance of pigeons.

Mammalian neonates obtain antibodies, nutrients, and microbiota from breast milk that help them resist the complex growth environment. Similar to mammals' lactation behavior for their offspring, parent pigeons regurgitate pigeon milk (PM) from their crops to feed the squabs. Whether pigeon milk is as valuable as mammalian milk is not clear, especially in terms of microbiota. This study adopted 16S rRNA gene sequencing to investigate the microbial composition and function in pigeon milk. We found abundant microbiota in pigeon milk. The dominant genera in parent pigeons' milk were Lactobacillus , Enterococcus , Veillonella , and Bifidobacterium. An analysis of squab milk (SM) showed that Lactobacillus also accounted for a considerable proportion, followed by Bifidobacterium. Most of the squab milk microbial genera were also detected in parent pigeons. Microbial functional analysis showed that the squab milk microbes were more involved in the pathways of carbohydrate metabolism, amino acid metabolism, and energy metabolism. These findings indicated that microbiota play an important role in squabs and can be transmitted from parent pigeons to squabs by pigeon milk. The presence of plentiful probiotics in squabs also suggests that adding probiotics in artificial pigeon milk may promote the growth and development of squabs and improve the production performance of pigeons. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study aimed to investigate the effects of dietary supplementation with dl-methionine (dl-Met) and dl-methionyl-dl-methionine (dl-Met-Met) in breeding pigeons on the carcass characteristics, meat quality and antioxidant activity of squabs. A total of 324 pairs of breeding pigeons were selected and allotted to 9 treatments in a completely randomized design, and the birds were fed dietary treatments for 45 d, including a Met-deficient basal diet (BD, crude protein = 15%, Met = 0.25%) and BD + 0.15%, 0.30%, 0.45%, or 0.60% dl-Met or dl-Met-Met diets. Compared with the diet fed to the BD group, dietary dl-Met or dl-Met-Met supplementation effectively increased the carcass yield, semieviscerated yield, eviscerated yield, breast muscle yield, thigh muscle yield, a* value, catalase activity, total superoxide dismutase activity and glutathione peroxidase activity, but decreased the L* value, malonaldehyde concentration, drip loss and cooking loss of squabs (p < 0.05). The relative bioavailability values of dl-Met-Met relative to those of dl-Met were 467% and 376% based on carcass yield and breast muscle yield, respectively (p < 0.001). Moreover, dl-Met-Met was more effective than dl-Met in decreasing the drip loss and improving the antioxidant activity of the breast and thigh muscles of squabs (p < 0.05). As a source of Met, dl-Met-Met, rather than dl-Met, was more beneficial to squabs.

he present study was carried out to represent a field problem in squabs of domestic pigeons (columba livia) at Ismailia Province. Squabs were grossly examined and showed typical lesions including yellowish caseous, fibronecrotic patches in mouth due to infection with T. gallinae. Forty squabs were collected and tested individually for the presence of Trichomonas gallinae (T. gallinae). Squabs were divided into equal four groups, the 1st was un-infected control group, the 2nd was T. gallinae infected untreated group, the 3rd and the 4th groups were T. gallinae infected and treated with metronidazole. The obtained results showed that the mortality (%) were 0, 50, 20 and 30 % in 1st, 2nd, 3rd and 4th group, respectively. Body weight was significantly reduced in all groups, although the drugs improved the weight reduction as compared to pre-treatment. Organs' weights were significantly increased after treatment as compared with the control group. Serum biochemical analysis revealed significant elevation in total protein, globulins; β- globulin and γ- globulin but albumin , α-globulin levels and A/G ratio were significantly reduced in infected squabs and increased in treated groups. Serum urea, creatinine and uric acid levels were increased, while, Serum glucose , cholesterol Na, K, Ca, P, Mg and serum iron as well as plasma ChE activity were decreased in both treated and infected groups. Serum AST, ALT, LD, γ -GGT, CK, AP activities were significantly increased in infected groups, Destructive changes in buccal cavity, hyperemia in blood vessels, necrotic changes in the liver with leucocytic infiltration and demylination of brain with preivascular oedema were observed.

The purpose of this study was to explore the effects of parental dietary supplementation with DL -methionine (DL -Met) and DL -methionyl- DL -methionine (DL -Met-Met) on milk protein synthesis in breeding pigeons and on the growth performance of squabs. A total of 324 pairs of breeding pigeons and 1296 one-day-old squabs were selected and allotted to 9 dietary treatments in a completely randomized design, and the experiment lasted for 45 days. The diets included a basal diet (BD, crude protein = 15%, Met = 0.25%) and BD + 0.15%, 0.30%, 0.45%, or 0.60% DL -Met or DL -Met-Met. After the experiment, the average daily feed intake (ADFI) and weight loss of breeding pigeons, casein content of crop milk and average daily gain (ADG) and mortality of squabs were measured respectively. Compared with the BD group, parental dietary supplementation with DL -Met or DL -Met-Met (especially at the dose of 0.30%) effectively increased the average daily feed intake and decreased the weight loss of breeding pigeons, as well as increased the α S1 -casein, α S2 -casein, and β-casein contents in their crop milk (P < 0.05). In addition, the average daily gain (ADG) of squabs was increased and the mortality of young squabs was decreased after DL -Met or DL -Met-Met supplementation (P < 0.05). The bioavailability values of DL -Met-Met relative to DL -Met were 211% and 346% based on the weight loss of breeding pigeons and the ADG of squabs, respectively (P < 0.001). Therefore, DL -Met-Met was more effective than DL -Met at decreasing the weight loss of pigeons and improving the growth performance of young squabs (P < 0.05). As a novel source of Met, DL -Met-Met, rather than DL -Met, was more beneficial to young squabs. • DL-Met and DL-Met-Met supplementation improved the productive performance and milk protein synthesis of breeding pigeons. • DL-Met and DL-Met-Met supplementation improved the growth performance of squabs. • DL-Met-Met was more bioavailable than DL-Met. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We surveyed five nesting colonies of Yellow-footed Green Pigeon at Jeypore Reserve forest to study their nesting behaviour during two breeding seasons in 2008 and 2009. We observed the birds in five closely-watched nests and studied their behaviour starting from pair formation till hatching of squabs. Pair formation generally starts from the month of April followed by nest building and incubation, with ultimately, hatching of squabs during May, which continues up to the month of June. Both sexes share the duty of nest building and incubation. Breeding pairs took four shifting intervals during incubation period at a time interval of about 2-5 hrs in each shift. Incubation period ranges between 20-23 days. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Keywords: pigeon milk; microbiota; squabs; parent pigeons; composition; function; transmitted EN pigeon milk microbiota squabs parent pigeons composition function transmitted N.PAG N.PAG 2 02/20/21 20210218 NES 210218 In the original article, there was an error. Pigeon milk, microbiota, squabs, parent pigeons, composition, function, transmitted. [Extracted from the article]

A total of 200 poultry giblets, 50 each of chickens, ducks, squabs and turkeys, were examined for the presence of Campylobacter jejuni. In chicken giblets, C. jejuni was isolated from gizzards, hearts, livers and spleens with incidences of 28%, 10%, 40% and 16% respectively while 24%, 6%, 36% and 10% of duck gizzards, hearts, livers and spleens were positive for the organism, respectively. C. jejuni was detected in 6% of squab gizzards, in 10% of squab livers but failed to be detected in squab hearts & spleens. In turkey giblets, 16 % of gizzards, 4 % of hearts, 30 % of livers and 8 % of spleens were positive for the organism. C. jejuni was more frequently isolated from liver samples than gizzard, spleen and heart samples, each constituting of 29%, 18.5%, 8.5% and 5%, respectively. High incidence of C. jejuni was recorded among chicken giblets (23.5%), followed by duck giblets (19%), then turkey giblets (14.5%) and finally squab giblets (4%). Zusammenfassung Über das Vorkommen von Campylobacter jejuni in Geflügelinnereien Die Innereien von jeweils 50 Hühnern, Enten, Jungtauben und Truthühnern wurden auf Campylobacter jejuni untersucht. Bei den Hühnerinnereien wurde C. jejuni im Herz (28%), Muskelmagen (10 %), in der Milz (40 %) und Leber (16 %), bei Enten im Muskelmagen (24 %), Herz (6 %), in der Leber (36 %) und Milz (10 %) isoliert. Bei der Jungtaube wurde C. jejuni in den Muskelmagen (6%) bzw. in den Leberproben (10%), jedoch nicht in den Herz- bzw. Milzproben nachgewiesen. Beim Truthuhn reagierten 16% der untersuchten Muskelmagen-, 4% der Herzen-, 30% der Leber-und 8 % der Milzproben positiv. C. jejuni wurde häufiger in Leberproben (29 %) als in Muskelmagen (18,5 %), Milz- (8,5 %) und Herzproben (5 %) isoliert. Am häufigsten wurde ein hohes Vorkommen von C. jejuni in Hühnerinnereien (23,5%), gefolgt von Enteninnereien (19%), Truthuhninnereien (14,5%) und, an letzter Stelle, Jungtaubeninnereien (4%) nachgewiesen. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Mineral analysis of pigeon milk indicates its major elements to be P>Ca>K>Na>Mg (in that order) and trace elements Fe>Zn>Mn>Cu. Whereas the levels of Ca, K, Mg, Na and Mn remain fairly constant in the first week, those of P, Fe, Zn and Cu fall significantly during this period. Compared to cow's and human milk, pigeon milk has definitely higher levels of trace elements. Similarly, the trace mineral content of pigeon milk exceeds that of pigeon egg albumen or yolk. Except for Fe, Mn and Cu, pigeon milk is richer than adult pigeon feed in its mineral content. The Ca:P ratio of pigeon milk increases from 0.3 to 1.1 in the first five days. It appears that the high trace mineral content of pigeon milk is one of the factors contributing to the phenomenal postnatal growth of squabs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study aimed to investigate the effects of dietary supplementation with dl-methionine (dl-Met) and dl-methionyl-dl-methionine (dl-Met-Met) in breeding pigeons on the carcass characteristics, meat quality and antioxidant activity of squabs. A total of 324 pairs of breeding pigeons were selected and allotted to 9 treatments in a completely randomized design, and the birds were fed dietary treatments for 45 d, including a Met-deficient basal diet (BD, crude protein = 15%, Met = 0.25%) and BD + 0.15%, 0.30%, 0.45%, or 0.60% dl-Met or dl-Met-Met diets. Compared with the diet fed to the BD group, dietary dl-Met or dl-Met-Met supplementation effectively increased the carcass yield, semieviscerated yield, eviscerated yield, breast muscle yield, thigh muscle yield, a* value, catalase activity, total superoxide dismutase activity and glutathione peroxidase activity, but decreased the L* value, malonaldehyde concentration, drip loss and cooking loss of squabs (p < 0.05). The relative bioavailability values of dl-Met-Met relative to those of dl-Met were 467% and 376% based on carcass yield and breast muscle yield, respectively (p < 0.001). Moreover, dl-Met-Met was more effective than dl-Met in decreasing the drip loss and improving the antioxidant activity of the breast and thigh muscles of squabs (p < 0.05). As a source of Met, dl-Met-Met, rather than dl-Met, was more beneficial to squabs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In Nigeria, helminths have over the last decades been established as important parasite of poultry including pigeons. However, the prevalence of these parasites of pigeons in Kano State is yet to be established. The prevalence of helminth parasites of domestic pigeon (Columba livia domestica) in Kano State, Nigeria was investigated in this study. The differences in the prevalence of infection between the pigeons examined on the basis of sex of the pigeon and season of the year were analyzed statistically using the students' "t" -test. The intestinal contents of 144 pigeons were examined for gastrointestinal helminths between February and April representing the dry season and between June and August for the wet season. Pigeons were grouped according to Squabs (chicks) (0-4 weeks), Squeakers (Juveniles) (5-8 weeks) and Youngsters (Adults) (9 weeks onwards). Intestinal parasites found include Cestodes: Raillietina tetragona, 20 (13.80%), R. echinobothrida, 11 (7.64%), Amoebotaenia cuneata, 5 (3.47%), Hymenolopis contaniana, 10 (6.95%), Davainea proglottina, 1(0.69%) and Ornithostrongylus quadriatus 1(0.69%). Nematodes: Capillaria obsignata, 10(6.95%) and Ascaridia columbae, 9(6.25%). Forty-two (29.16%) of the birds had mild infection, 17 (11.81%) had moderate infection, 9 (6.25%) and 2(1.39%) had heavy and severe infection, respectively. The prevalence was higher during the wet season (36.65%) than during the dry season (27.97%). Of all the age groups, only Youngsters, 34 (23.61%) were infected with intestinal helminths. However, there were statistically significant differences between the age, sex and seasons in this study (P < 0.005). Pigeons raised on semi-intensive had the highest rate of infection (37.50%) and those raised on intensive management had the lowest rate of infection (9.03%). A number of measures are recommended for the control of these helminthic parasites., (Copyright © 2019 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.)