Characteristics and Flying Speed of Local Tinggian Type Pigeon

Abstract

Local tinggian type pigeons perform good flying quality. Their body characteristics and size are predicted to have influence on flying speed. This research aimed to explore the qualitative and quantitative traits of this local pigeon of tinggian type as well as body measurements which has influence on flying speed. A total of 60 heads of local tinggian type pigeon or equal to 30 pairs aged of 9-12 months were used in this experiment to study the qualitative and quantitative traits. The male pigeons were subjected to flying course to gather the data of flying speed within the distance of 100, 150 and 200 meters. The result showed high variety in quantitative traits of these pigeons. Males had higher bodyweight and size compared to females. The bodyweight, the width of outer chest, the depth of the chest and the wing spread of the males were altered after having flying course. The flying speed at the distance of 100, 150 and 200 meters was 10.64 m/s; 10.52 m/s and 10.01 m/s, respectively. The body size revealed no correlation with flying speed. It was observed that there were 3 flying patterns namely direct straight flying, circular and straight flying, and straight and circular flying. The direct straight flying pattern showed the highest speed in average of 10.48 m/s.

Merpati merupakan salah satu jenis unggas yang telah lama dikenal di Indonesia. Merpati dikelompokkan berdasarkan fungsinya yaitu merpati pedaging, merpati hias dan merpati balap. Merpati memiliki keistimewaan yaitu naluri untuk pulang kandang (homing). Keistimewaan ini yang dimanfaatkan peternak untuk membuat serangkaian perlombaan dengan mengadu kecepatan terbang merpati. Adapun kecepatan terbang diduga ada kaitannya dengan karakteristik dan ukuran tubuh merpati, oleh karena itu diperlukan penelitian untuk mengamati karakteristik, ukuran tubuh dan kecepatan terbang. Tujuan penelitian ini yaitu mempelajari karakteristik sifat kualitatif dan kuantitatif serta ukuran tubuh yang berpengaruh terhadap kecepatan terbang merpati lokal tipe tinggian.