科研之友
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摘要
The study was conducted to determine whether pigeons with short beaks (Budapest Short Face Tumblers - BSF), compared to pigeons with beaks of normal length (Polish Shield Highfliers - PSH), are less adapted to feeding on different foods (cereal grains and seeds), and whether this affects the nutrient content of eggs and hatch rates. Another aim was to find out if removing one egg from the nests of short-beaked pigeons can improve hatch rates and the results of nestling rearing until day 14 after hatching. The experiment was performed on 20 pairs of normal-beaked pigeons (PSH) and 20 pairs of short-beaked pigeons (BSF). All birds were fed diets of mixed grains and their food preferences were determined. Two eggs were collected from each pigeon pair to evaluate egg structure, chemical composition and fatty acid profile. Reproductive performance was compared in three groups: PSH(2) and BSF (2) brooding two eggs, and BSF(1) brooding one egg.
Birds of both breeds varied in their food preferences. Short-beaked pigeons preferred larger grains. Despite the observed differences, the nutritive value of feed consumed by birds of both breeds was comparable. In BSF, the egg white contained more water and less dry matter and protein. The fatty acid profile of the egg yolk differed with respect to the concentrations of heptadecaenoic acid and arachidonic acid. However, the different choices of grains between normal- and short-beaked pigeons did not lead to substantial differences in nutrient intake. The reproduction results of BSF(1) pigeons were better than those of BSF(2) birds and similar to those noted in group PSH. Thus, low values of reproductive performance observed in short-beaked pigeons do not result from problems with feed intake, but may be due to behavioral problems or insufficient warmth during the brooding of two eggs by birds with a lower egg weight to female body weight ratio.
- 出版日期2013-10
