Effects of early weaning on intestinal morphology, digestive enzyme activity, antioxidant status, and cytokine status in domestic pigeon squabs (Columba livia)

ABSTRACT The aim of this study was to explore the effects of early weaning on growth performance, intestinal morphology, digestive enzyme activity, antioxidant status, and cytokine status in domestic pigeon squabs (Columba livia). The conclusion is based on body weight (BW) and average daily gain (ADG), length index and weight index of small intestine, small intestinal morphology, activity of digestive enzymes in duodenum content, the concentrations of jejunal antioxidant status and cytokines. A completely randomized design with two treatments, the control group (CON) and early weaning (EW) group, was utilized. Eight squabs per treatment were sampled at the age of 25 days. The results showed that early weaning reduced BW (P