Contamination Rate of Lead in Pigeon (Columbia livia) at Semarang City

The aim of this research was to find out the lead concentration in some pigeon tissues in Semarang city. Fifty four pigeons 4-8 weeks old, which collected from 4 locations in Semarang were devided into 4 groups. Group I (15 pigeons) were obtained from the bird markets, group II (15 pigeons) were obtained from who sale fried birds, and group III (14 pigeons) were collected from the bird owners who look after the birds extensively (not in cages), then group IV (10 pigeons) were obtained from the bird owners who look after the birds intensively (in cages). All pigeons were euthanasia by chloroform then necropsied. A part of tissues eg: muscle, lung, liver and kidney were collected for lead examination by using Atomic Absorpsion Spectrophotometer (AAS). The result of the experiment showed that muscle, lung, liver and kidney pigeons were contaminated by lead, and lead concentration of kidney were higher (P< 0.05) than 0,1 ppm. Location of pigeons were not significant (P>0.05) with lead concentration in tissues pigeons. (Animal Production 2(2): 69-74 (2000) Key words : lead, pigeon, Semarang city

Immunologic Quality Improvement of Racing Pigeon Squabs through Induction of Cropmilk using Probiotic Lactobacillus sp.

Probiotic is live microbial cells supplementation that has beneficial effect to the host. Feeding adult pigeons (Columba livia) with food supplemented with probiotic, Lactobacillus sp., at concentration 106,108, and 1010 cells g-1 respectively have been done in order to improve the immunologic quality of the squabs. Immunologic response namely the number and activity of kidney’s macrophage were examined. Also, the pathologic signs which developed following artificial infection by intramuscular injection with Escherichia coli suspension was examined. The result indicated that adult pigeon feed with food containing probiotic have beneficial effect to the squabs (through cropmilk) by improving their immune response namely increasing the number of kidney’s macrophage and their in vitro phagocytic activity. Also, it reduced the E. coli population in the squabs’ gut. (Animal Production 6(2): 11-124 (2004) Key Words: pigeon squab, probiotic, Lactobacillus sp., immune response