Effects of feed systems on growth performance, carcass characteristics, organ index, and serum biochemical parameters...

This study aimed to investigate the effects of feed systems in parent pigeons on the growth performance, carcass characteristics, organ index, and serum biochemical parameters of squabs. A total of 60 pairs of parent pigeons were selected and divided into 2 groups randomly. The parent pigeons were fed with two feed systems that were whole grains plus granulated feed (WGG) and complete-formula granulated feed (CFG) for 21 d. The results showed that CFG diet could increase carcass yield, heart index, content of trypsin, and growth hormone of squabs (P < 0.05), but decrease feed intake, gizzard index, b* value, malondialdehyde concentration, and uric acid concentration significantly (P < 0.05) comparing with WGG diet. There were no significant differences among the 2 groups in feed intake from d 1 to d 21, abdominal fat yield and body weight changes of squabs and parent pigeons (P > 0.05). It can be concluded from these observations that CFG was beneficial to squab which could improve digestive enzyme and antioxidant ability in the serum, so the CFG should be suggested in practice.