Analysis of the hybrid growth,reproductive performance,and reproductive consumption of Silver King pigeon and Grey King pigeon

Mu Chunyu; Yang Mingjun; Tang Qingping; Zhang Rui; Bu Zhu; Yang Xiaoming; Gao Wen

doi:10.20154/j.cnki.issn1672-9692.2025.11.005

Abstract：The experiment aimed to investigate the growth and reproductive performance of hybrids between Silver King pigeons and Gray King pigeons,and to analyze the effects of incubation and brooding on the reproductive energy consumption of breeding pigeons.A total of 350 pairs each of Silver King pigeons(Y),Gray King pigeons(H),and Silver King(♂)×Gray King(♀)hybrids(YH)were randomly selected for rearing observation over a one-year experimental period.The results showed that the number of laying nests and total egg production for Group Y were significantly higher than those for Groups H and YH(P<0.05).The number of hatched chicks in Group Y was significantly higher than in Group YH(P<0.05)and extremely higher than in group H(P<0.01).The number of dead chicks in group YH was extremely lower than in groups Y and H(P<0.01),and the survival rate at 28 days of age was extremely higher than in group H(P<0.01).Heterosis was highest for the number of dead chicks,at-58.14%;followed by the number of infertile eggs and dead embryo eggs,at-1.97%and-1.57%,respectively;the heterosis rates for fertilization rate and squab survival rate at 28 days were 0.39%and 0.52%,respectively.There were certain differences in the growth performance among Groups H,Y,and YH,with egg weight exceeding 22 g for all groups.The correlation between both egg production number and laying interval,and the number of infertile eggs and return-to-lay time,exceeded 0.5.The laying interval showed a highly significant negative correlation with the number of infertile eggs and dead embryo eggs.The laying interval was highest for breeding pigeons that completed incubation of two eggs.The laying interval for pigeons that incubated eggs for only 5 days was extremely lower than that of the other groups(P<0.01).The laying interval for pigeons that completed incubation of one egg was extremely higher than for those that did not complete incubation of two eggs(P<0.01).The return-to-lay time for pigeons incubating one egg was extremely lower than for those incubating two eggs(P<0.01).The laying interval and return-to-lay time for pigeons brooding two squabs were approximately 3 days longer compared to those brooding one squab(P<0.01).The study indicates that the reproductive performance of group Y is superior to that of group H,and the 28-day survival rate of YH squabs exhibits heterosis.The laying interval and return-to-lay time are highly correlated with the number of eggs produced.The number and duration of incubated eggs,as well as the number of brooded squabs,significantly influence the laying interval and return-to-lay time.