International Journal of Poultry - Ornamental Birds Science and Technology

Tumbler Pigeons Have Smaller Brains

2023-12-06T19:53:54+03:00

The difference in cerebral or cerebellar structure of pigeon brains can produce the tumbling behavior. Therefore, the aim of this study was to investigate the effects of brain morphology on tumbling behavior in pigeons. To exclude the breed effect as far as possible, in addition to the tumbler pigeons Baska and Homing pigeons were used as controls in the study (4 female and 4 male adult pigeons). Body measurements (BM), live weight (LW), organ weights and histomorphological brain measurements were recorded. The pigeon breeds differed significantly in terms of body and organ morphology. The allometric relationship between brain weight and live weight was significant (P=0.0028). The most values of the Takla birds were below the regression line. This indicates, that the Takla breed has a relatively small brain compared to their body size. The thickness of molecular layer, granular layer and white matter of the cerebellum did not differ between the breeds (P?0.201). While the number of Purkinje cells per mm² in Baska birds was lower than other breeds, no significant difference was found between Homing and Takla birds (P?0.05). No qualitative difference was found in the cerebellar segments of the breeds. In conclusion, the tumbler pigeons have a smaller brain, but they do not differ from other pigeons in terms of general brain histology.

Morphometric Comparison of Three Short-Beak Pigeon Breeds from The Aegean Region (Turkey) By Discriminant Analysis

2022-11-07T08:50:19+03:00

Hünkari, Manisa Azman, and Denizli Azman are short-beak local pigeon breeds originating from the Aegean region of Turkey. Although these three pigeon breeds are similar to each other, they differ from each other in terms of some traits. This study was planned to reveal the possible differences between these three short-beaked breeds by discriminant analysis with the help of some morphological traits. In order to compare these three breeds, the Edremit Kelebek pigeon, which differs significantly from these breeds, was used. For this purpose, live weight and beak, body, wing, tail, and tarsus lengths were analyzed. Except for tarsus length, all characteristics differ between breeds. Considering the proportional difference between the sexes (by female), the Denizli Azman differs from the other two short-beak breeds in terms of traits except for live weight. Edremit Kelebek pigeon differs from the other three breeds except for body weight and tarsus characteristics. In the classification made using canonical discriminant functions, the rate of correctly classified is 51% in Hünkâri, 59% in Manisa Azman, 87% in Denizli Azman. All Edremit Kelebek is correctly classified. In the component graph, the Hünkari and Manisa Azman are overlap, while the Denizli Azman is classified a little far from these two breeds. Edremit Kelebek, on the other hand, is classified far from these three breeds. In terms of the traits used, it is seen that the Hünkâri and Manisa Azman cannot be separated from each other biologically. Probably the Hünkari and Manisa Azman breeds are genetically related to Denizli Azman. However, considering the traits such as color, pattern, and frill, which are not the subject of this study, It is thought that Denizli Azman may have little or no gene flow with Hünkari and Manisa Azman.

Effect of Age on Egg Quality of Lakenvelder Hens Kept Under Extensive Rearing Conditions

2022-08-09T00:55:17+03:00

The aim of the study was to evaluate the effect of age of Lakenvelder hens kept under extensive rearing conditions on the quality of eggs obtained. The research material consisted of eggs obtained from Lakenvelder hens. The hens were kept in a barn on the litter with the possibility to use the free-range area and to collect weed. The birds were fed the same feed throughout the study period. From each group, 100 eggs were collected at 36 and 52 weeks of age. A total of 200 eggs were examined for physical and chemical properties. The study showed an increase with age of shell weight and yolk percentage in the egg as well as shape index of shell thickness and yolk percentage in the egg. The quality of protein, total cholesterol and PUFA n-6 content decreased. The results showed that Lakenvelder hens can be kept in extensive rearing conditions obtain good quality table eggs.