A response surface model to predict the profitability of raising small-scale free range domestic pigeon

The study aimed to investigate the comparative profitability of raising different breeds of small- scale free range domestic pigeon in the Chattogram metropolitan area of Bangladesh. A cross-sectional survey was carried out for a period of three months from July to September 2021 using a structured questionnaire. Results indicated that there were no differences among the performance parameters of the non-descriptive, Gola and Giribaz breeds of pigeon. However, the non-descriptive breeds produced more eggs and thus squabs per year than the Gola and Giribaz. Similarly, the average pause size, feed supply per day and market age were lower in the local breeds compared with Gola and Giribaz. Hatchability percentage of the local breed was higher than the other breeds. Average mortality was moderately higher in the Giribaz. The average flock size was 4.9±0.70 pair. The average annual egg and squab productions were 20.6±1.10 and 10.7±1.00 pairs, respectively. The average daily feed supply was 37.8±1.5 g/bird. The average clutch and pause sizes were 2.0 and 17.3 day, respectively. Average market age, hatchability and mortality were 30.6±0.90 day, 51.4±2.20% and 7.6±1.6%, respectively. Mean feed and housing cost were 1008±24.7 and 443±42.8 Bangladeshi taka (BDT) per pair/year, respectively. Mean market price per pair adult and per squab was BDT 365±18.6 and 130±4.9, respectively. Flock size and pause size had strong positive and negative correlations with annual squab production. There were no significant differences between the net profit of the farms rearing different breeds of pigeon. However, farms raising local breeds had the highest annual net profit (BDT 823/pair) compared with other farms raising Giribaz (BDT 478/pair) and Gola breeds (BDT 319.70/pair). Principal component analysis identified annual egg production and feed cost as the principal eigenvector determining net profit. It was concluded that despite marginal profit, small-scale free range domestic pigeon farming was economically viable for the subsistence of the rural livelihoods. Keywords: Free range, Giribaz, Gola, Pigeon, Profitability.