Comparative Effects of Breed and Sex on Carcass and Organ Profiles of Duck (Anas plantrynychos) and Guinea Fowl (Numidia meleagris) in Abeokuta, Ogun State, Nigeria

Apata E S,Tijani L A,Koleoso I M,Taiwo B B A,Okubanjo A O

doi:10.5539/sar.v3n4p107

Abstract

<p>Carcass and organs characteristics of two breeds and sexes of poultry which include Duck and Guinea fowl (GF) were investigated. A total of twenty four matured birds with twelve from each breed were used for this study in a 2 × 2 (Breed × Sex) factorial arrangement in a completely randomized design. The birds were slaughtered in batches of four properly bled, defeathered and dressed, the carcasses and organs weighed. The birds carcasses were chilled at 4 ºC for 24hrs prior to fabrication into primal cuts. The results showed that duck had higher (P&lt;0.05) carcass and organs weight and percentages than GF, also males irrespective of the breed gave higher (P&lt;0.05) carcass and organs weight and percentages than their female counterparts. At interaction level male ducks still gave higher (P&lt;0.05) cut-up parts weight and percentages than female, while female GF elicited higher (P&lt;0.05) primal cuts weight and percentages. It was observed from this study that Duck and GF carcass and organs cut-up parts were heavy enough to supply needed protein like chicken. These birds can therefore, be integrated into commercial poultry production to make animal protein more available to consumers.</p>

Highlights

The developing countries of the world have not been able to meet animal protein requirements of the populace
Other species beside domestic fowl should be considered such as Duck, (Anas plantrynychos) and Guinea fowl (Numidia meleagris) which are found in various ecological zones of Nigeria and other developing countries with high carcass and organs yield (Yusuf, 1995; Omojola, 2007) without taboos hindering the consumption of their meats (Ireobi et al, 1999)
It was observed in this study that female Guinea fowl (GF) had higher carcass variables than its male counterpart except head and leg which were higher in male GF, while their liver weights are the same

Summary

Introduction

The developing countries of the world have not been able to meet animal protein requirements of the populace. This is because the problem of protein malnutrition is enormous in these nations (Atteh, 2004). Other species beside domestic fowl should be considered such as Duck, (Anas plantrynychos) and Guinea fowl (Numidia meleagris) which are found in various ecological zones of Nigeria and other developing countries with high carcass and organs yield (Yusuf, 1995; Omojola, 2007) without taboos hindering the consumption of their meats (Ireobi et al, 1999). This study is aimed at evaluating the carcass and organs characteristics of Duck and Guinea fowl (GF) found in Abeokuta metropolis as influenced by their breed and sex

Objectives

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Results

Conclusion