SYSTEM OF PIGEON REARING AND ITS PURPOSES IN BANGLADESH

Abstract

A feasibility study was under taken on 40 smallholdings of pigeons in Chittagong and Noakhali districts in Bangladesh. the study was undertaken during the period of July 2009 to September 2009 in the internship placement based on a predesigned prototype questionnaire. The results of the survey revealed that the number of pigeons reared by a smallholder was on an average 4 within the range 2 to 12. Among these pigeons 35% were found more than 5 years and 30% less than 1 year. Mortality rate of these pigeons 1.25%, the average egg weight and shell weight was respectively 13g and 0.23g. Average birth weight 18g and average market weight 443.62g. Rice and wheat were used as the main ingredients of feed supplement for these pigeons. On these 40 smallholding; 28% pigeon rearers supplied mastered and 2% pulses additionally to rice or wheat for their pigeons. There were76% wooden housing and 24% bamboo housing; 86% single and 14% multiple housing. The major predators of these pigeons were rats, civets, crows and cats. The common diseases that are found in the pigeons are Salmonellosis, Colibacillosis, Newcastle disease, Trichomoniasis and Mite infestation. Net income per pair of squab per month of these pigeons farmers were on an average Tk. 57.63 in sirazee, Tk.52.02 in jalali and Tk.57.5 in others