Comparative analysis of reproductive performance between Tarim pigeons and White Carneau pigeons

ZHAO Xiaoyu; WANG Ling; LI Haiying; YAO Yingying; WU Yingping

doi:10.13557/j.cnki.issn1002-2813.2025.07.013

Abstract：This study aimed to analyze the differences in reproductive performance between Tarim pigeons and White Carneau pigeons to provide a reference for specialized line breeding of Tarim pigeons.The experiment involved 100 pairs each of two-year-old Tarim and White Carneau breeding pigeons with stable reproductive performance,monitored over a one-year period for reproductive traits.Additionally,50 newborn squabs from each group were selected to measure growth performance indicators from 0～28 days of age.The results showed that the mean values and medians of traits such as male body weight,female body weight,egg weight,clutch frequency,laying interval,annual egg production,number of hatched chicks,fertilization rate,hatching rate of fertilized eggs,and 28-day survival rate of squabs were similar between the two breeds.However,the coefficients of variation for clutch frequency,laying interval,annual egg production,and number of hatched chicks in Tarim pigeons exceeded 10.00%,while those for White Carneau pigeons remained below 10.00%.The laying interval of Tarim pigeons was extremely longer than that of White Carneau pigeons(P<0.01),while egg weight,annual clutch frequency,annual egg production,and number of qualified eggs were extremely lower(P<0.01).Fertilization rate,number of hatched chicks,and annual squab production were also extremely lower in Tarim pigeons(P<0.01),but their 28-day survival rate was extremely higher(P<0.01).The egg weight of Tarim pigeons was extremely lower than that of White Carneau pigeons(P<0.01),while Haugh units and yolk-to-albumen ratios were extremely higher(P<0.01),and albumen height was significantly greater(P<0.05).The relative growth rate of both groups reached its highest and nearly identical level at 7 days of age.After 7 days,White Carnue squabs exhibited a higher relative growth rate compared to Tarim squabs,while the relative growth rate of both groups gradually declined with increasing age.The study indicates that the superior reproductive performance of White Carnue pigeons and the better egg quality of Tarim pigeons,along with the higher squab survival rates,can serve as valuable genetic traits for future selective breeding in specialized strain development or breed improvement.