Productivity, management and marketing of pigeons in pet shop

Full Length Research Paper

Productivity, management and marketing of pigeons in pet shop

M. Ashraful Kabir

Head and Associate Professor, Department of Biology, Holy Land College, Uttar Balubari, Dinajpur 5200, Bangladesh.

Accepted 11 March, 2013

Abstract

Exotic fancy pigeons of fifty types that are available in Bangladesh today was observed in Kushtia and Dinajpur district of Bangladesh from July 2011 to December 2012. Each breed feeding cost comes to only 1.50 taka per day and during hatching of young ones this becomes 3:00 taka per day in average. It has been observed through 18 months study that the buyers pay 1000 to 6000 taka for each pair of fancy pigeon. In fancy items, the Fantail is the most common items for buyers. Its expanded tail and tremules of the neck is more attractive to everybody. Though the highly expensive Pouter, King and Runt are available but their customers are few. In Bangladesh the buyers have attraction for fancy pigeons but its high price makes them less interested. For that reason they want to buy such type of pigeons which are less costly and its squab sells are less bothering during marketing. So the Fantail rearing is easier in that case. In pigeon shop most of the cage measurements are 24×18×16 inches for all types of breeds. No medicine expenditure was found during the period of study. Feeding pot measurements are 7×4×2 and which can be used for the pigeons feeding. Fresh tubewell water is available everywhere for the pigeons use and as a result no production is hampered. Reports have shown that the cage trays are cleaned twice a day and this keeps the pigeons free from all the diseases. Monthly expenditure including electricity and house rent becomes taka 50 for each pigeon for a month. Total cost for one pigeon is taka 200 per month and if it can be sold within seven days after the completion of one month it can bring a profit of taka 150. If the pigeons are sold in the same months of their purchase, the sellers get no profit. But if it is sold after six months, monthly expenditure for each pair of pigeon becomes taka 3000 but sales proceeds becomes, 5000 for each pair. So, each pair of pigeon can earn a profit of taka 2000 after six months. Because after the expiry of six months no fresh parental stock is needed. The study also found that normal per pigeon cost was an average of 300 taka but during hatching period it become taka 600 due to excessive use of light and feeding. Maximum body weight of male Runt fancy pigeon is 650 g and that of female is 625 g and its 45 days old squab becomes 430 g each.

Key words: Pigeon, pet shop, cost-benefit, productivity, management.