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

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<0.05) carcass and organs weight and percentages than GF, also males irrespective of the breed gave higher (P<0.05) carcass and organs weight and percentages than their female counterparts. At interaction level male ducks still gave higher (P<0.05) cut-up parts weight and percentages than female, while female GF elicited higher (P<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>