Post-beak morphological characteristics of homing and King pigeon breeds and the effect of feeding on behavioral parameters

This study was carried out to determine the morphological characteristics of Homing and King pigeons and to investigate the effect of feeding on behavioral parameters. In the study, a total of 27 pigeons were used, 16 of which were homing pigeons (8 ♀, 8 ♂) and 11 of which were King pigeons (5 ♀, 6 ♂). Head-beak morphology determined as head depth, head height, head width, beak length, beak width and beak height. Behavior parameters were observed individually three days a week. These observations were examined under three titles: pre-feeding, post-feeding and general averages (pre-feeding + post-feeding). In the pre- and post-feeding stages, 14 daily observations were taken in 10-minute periods (0, 10, 20, 30, 40, 50, and 60) between 0-60 minutes. Pigeons were given standard feed at the same time every day for 8 weeks. Data was taken one hour pre-feeding and data was continued 10 minutes after feeding. At the end of the study, while there was no difference between pigeons in terms of beak width and height (P>0.05), differences in other parameters were found significant (P<0.01). When the effects of feeding on behavioral parameters in general were evaluated, no statistically significant difference was observed between periods in terms of strolling, itching, bathing and sunbathing behaviors (P>0.05). However, it has been concluded that the Homing pigeons exhibit foraging, caring, hatching, observing, eating, grazing and flying behaviors (P<0.01), while King pigeons display predominantly protecting their territory and courting (P<0.01).