Effect Of Dietary Crude Protein Levels On Production Performance Of Squabs And Reproductive Performance Of Breeding Pigeons

The experiment was conducted to investigate the requirement for dietary crude protein(CP) in breeding pigeons. The test evaluate the nutritive value of 4 kinds of raw materials; Based on the results of feed nutrition value, compound the feed scientifically and reasonably, then compare with the effects of dietary crude protein levels on growth performance, carcass performance, and meat quality, serum index of squabs and laying performance of breeding pigeons by feeding experiment. The aim of this experiment was to provide scientific and realistic basic for the preparation of the breeding pigeons diet.The experiment was divided into two parts. The first part was metabolic test. The nutritional ingredient and total energy(GE) content of the normal pigeon feeds(corn, peas,wheat and sorghum) were determined. The apparent metabolic energy(AME) and nutrient metabolic rate of 4 types of raw material were evaluated by metabolic test. The second part was the research of crude protein level of breeding pigeons. A total of 180 pairs of breeding pigeons(healthy, with similar body weight and reproduction performance) were allotted to5 groups randomly. Each treatment had 6 replicates, and each replicate had 6 pair of breeding pigeons. Five crude protein levels were 15%, 16%, 17%, 18% and 19% of the "50% grain + 50% raw grain" mixed diet, respectively.The results showed as follows:(1) For breeding pigeons, the apparent metabolizable energy values of corn, peas,wheat and sorghum were 14.61 MJ/kg, 12.68 MJ/kg, 13.53 MJ/kg and 13.19 MJ/kg, the apparent metabolic rate of crude protein were 56.10%, 31.47%, 40.15% and 56.10%respectively.(2) Compared with other groups, the ADG of squabs in group with 18% crude protein was 7.3% and 3.2% heavier than that in 15% crude protein group during 1~14 days(P<0.05) and 1~21 days(P >0.05), respectively.(3) Compared with the 15% crude protein group, the eviscerated carcass yield and breast yield of squabs that fed the diet crude protein with 18% significantly increased by2.7%(P< 0.05)and 6.4%(P< 0.05), respectively.(4) There was no significant difference effect on organs index(P >0.05).(5) Compared with other groups, the squabs fed with the 18 % crude protein group can improve the color significantly, meanwhile, that could decreased the drip loss and shear force of squabs by 10.5%(P< 0.05)and 11.4 %(P< 0.05) than 15% crude protein group,respectively.(6) With the usage increasing of crude protein, the TP and ALB in serum of squabs showed a significantly increased(P< 0.05), but there was no significant difference effect on AST, ALT and UA(P >0.05).(7) The ADFI of breeding pigeons during the whole period were not significantly affected by dietary crude protein levels,with the usage increasing of crude protein, the body weight loss of breeding pigeons showed a significantly decreased(P< 0.05).(8) Compare with other groups, laying interval of 18%-19% crude protein groups were approximately decreased by one day, and the 18% crude protein group had the highest laying rate of breeding pigeons.Conclusions: In summary, the growth performance, carcass characteristics, meat quality of squabs and laying performance of breeding pigeons were affected by the dietary crude protein levels. Based on the results of the performance pigeons and quadratic regression analysis, the appropriate crude protein levels for breeding pigeons during hatching period and lactation period is 18%.