Effects of early weaning on length index (A1, B1, C1) and weight index (A2, B2, C2) of small intestine of squabs in two groups at 25 days old. Length index of duodenum, jejunum, and ileum was shown in Figure A1, B1, and C1 individually. Weight index was presented in Figure A2, B2, and C2. Length index was calculated as the percentage of segment length of duodenum, jejunum, and ileum to full length of small intestine; weight index was calculated as the percentage of segment weight of duodenum, jejunum and ileum to overall weight of small intestine (Xu et al., 2019). CON group: control group; EW group: test group, squabs were fed by parental pigeons for first 6 d after hatching, and then fed by hand. Values means n = 8 for the analysis of the intestine length index and weight index. Data are means ± SEM. * means P < 0.05; ** means P < 0.01.