English
العربية
LOCAL LIBYAN PIGEON: PHYSICAL CHARACTERISTICS OF THE EGG AND THE INFLUENCE OF HABITAT ON EGG QUALITY
Fowad Akraim 1* , Monya Faraj 1 , Mariam Mohammed 1
1 Animal production department, faculty of
agriculture, Omar Al Mukhtar
University, Al-Bayda, Libya.
Abstract:
The pigeon
(Columba livia) is widely distributed in Libya in different habitats, as
domestic, feral or wild pigeons. The aim of this study is to describe the physical
characteristics of eggs from the local Libyan pigeon breed in Al-Bayda city and
its suburbs, and to examine the effect of habitat (feral vs. caged domestic) on
egg quality. A total of ninety-six eggs (60 eggs from feral
and 36 from domestic pigeons) were collected from a number of feral pigeon
colonies and a private caged domestic pigeon farm. The average weight of the
local pigeon eggs (both domestic and feral) was 15.72 g, with a length of 37.80
mm and a width of 28.18 mm. Egg components
were dominated by albumin (67.85%) followed by yolk (23.72%) and egg shell
(8.23%). Habitat significantly influenced most egg
characteristics. Egg weight, width, shape index, Haugh unit, albumen height and
percentage were higher in feral pigeon eggs compared to domestic pigeon (p <
0.05). Egg volume tends to be higher in feral pigeon eggs compared to domestic
pigeon (p=0.079). Egg length was
similar between the two groups. Yolk and shell percentage were higher (p <
0.05) and shell thickness tended to be higher (p =0.08) in domestic pigeon eggs
compared to feral pigeon eggs. These results are in contrary to our hypothesis
that habitat (e.g., stable feed supply and care) could positively affect egg
characteristics of pigeons. Additional research at a larger scale is needed to
further explore these findings.
Keywords: Pigeon, Feral, Domestic, Egg quality