E-ISSN 2223-0343


Heritability estimates and phenotypic correlations of body and egg traits of domestic pigeon (Colomba livia domestica) reared on-station in Benue State of Nigeria

1O.M. Momoh,*1 P.E. Anebi and 2S.N. Carew

1Department of Animal Breeding and Physiology, College of Animal Science, 2Department of Animal Production College of Animal Science, University of Agriculture, P.M.B. 2373, Makurdi, Benue State, Nigeria; *Corresponding author: O.M Momoh Department of Animal Breeding and Physiology, College of Animal Science, University of Agriculture, Makurdi Nigeria

 
Abstract

Genetic analysis of a flock of domestic pigeons (Colomba livia domestica) was undertaken to provide estimates of heritability and phenotypic correlation of body and egg traits in the domestic pigeon. A total of 600 squabs comprising 300 each of two generations raised from 150 couples were used. Heritability estimates of body weight at birth (BWB), week 1 (BWW1), week 2 (BWW2) week 3 (BWW3), week 4 (BWW4) and maturity (BWM); linear body measurements viz: body length (BL), shank length (SL) and breast girth (BG) and some egg traits namely, age at first egg (AFE), egg weight (EWT), egg length (ELT) and egg width (EWD) and phenotypic correlations among them were estimated using the method of regression of offspring on mid-parent performance and Pearson correlation method, respectively.  The heritability estimates obtained were high for body weight at various ages; (0.43+0.04 to 0.66+0.03), linear body measurements: (0.49+0.06 to 0.68+0.05), egg traits: AFE (0.52+0.07), EWT (0.48+0.07) and ELT (44+0.06).  EWD was moderately heritable (0.38+0.06). Phenotypic correlations between body parameters and those among the egg traits were positive and significant and hence demonstrate their importance in determining the size of selection differentials in selection practices for those traits.  The moderate to high heritability estimates was existence of appreciable additive genetic variance in the studied pigeon population. Therefore, fast response to mass selection would be expected.

Keywords: Body traits, Egg traits, Heritability, Pigeon, Squabs
 
To cite this article: Momoh OM, PE Anebi and SN Carew, 2013. Heritability estimates and phenotypic correlations of body and egg traits of domestic pigeon (Colomba livia domestica) reared On-station in Benue State of Nigeria. Res. Opin. Anim. Vet. Sci., 3(10), 370-373.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

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