Comparative Analysis of Morphology Characteristics,Growth and Reproductive Performance among Yueyang Pigeon,Shiqi Pigeon and the Mimas Strain of European Meat Pigeon

XU Dong; GUO Shiqi; XU Kunjie; CHEN Yitian; WU ZhongPing; FANG Quanmin; YU Lian; LIANG Yayan; ZHANG Xumeng

doi:10.19978/j.cnki.xmsy.2025.06.11

Abstract：As China's meat pigeon industry has become the fourth largest poultry sector following chickens,ducks,and geese,the Yueyang pigeon,a unique genetic resource of Yueyang County in Hunan Province,boasts an annual slaughter output of over 10 million birds.However,there is a lack of systematic research on its breed characteristics.To evaluate the differences between Yueyang pigeon and other breeds,this study conducted a comparative analysis of the morphology traits,growth performance,and reproductive performance of Yueyang pigeon,Shiqi pigeon,and the European meat pigeon Mimas strain.The results revealed significant differences in body shape,head shape,legs,and feather color among the three breeds.Regarding growth performance,the Mimas strain exhibited extremely significant advantages in body weight,shank circumference,and chest depth over the other two breeds(P<0.01).The body slant length of Yueyang pigeon was extremely significantly greater than that of the other two(P<0.01).In male pigeons,the Mimas strain showed extremely significantly greater shank length and chest width than the other breeds(P<0.01),and its neck circumference was extremely significantly larger than that of Yueyang pigeon(P<0.01).In terms of slaughter performance,the Mimas strain had the highest live body weight at slaughter,and its semi-evisceration yield was extremely significantly higher than that of Yueyang pigeon(P<0.01).The full-evisceration yield of Yueyang pigeon was significantly higher than that of the other two breeds(P<0.05),and its abdominal fat percentage was extremely significantly higher than that of Shiqi pigeon(P<0.01).For reproductive performance,the number of clutches and the number of chicks hatched of Shiqi pigeon were extremely significantly lower than those of the Mimas strain(P<0.01),but the annual squab production of both Shiqi and Mimas was extremely significantly higher than that of Yueyang pigeon(P<0.01).In meat and egg quality,Shiqi and Mimas pigeons were superior in egg weight and pH value,while Yueyang pigeon demonstrated better performance in meat redness(a*value),shear force,and yolk color.In conclusion,significant or extremely significant differences were observed in growth performance,reproductive performance,and meat and egg quality among the three pigeon breeds.This study clarifies the breed characteristics and production potential of Yueyang pigeon,providing data and theoretical references for the conservation of its germplasm resources,optimization of breeding programs,and high-quality development of the industry.