Abstract
A study was conducted to compare laying performance, fertility, hatchability, and egg quality of guinea fowl (GF) with Horro (HR) and Tilili (TL) local chicken and Potchefstroom Koekoek (PK) exotic chicken. Forty five layers from each genotype and 6 cocks from each chicken genotype and 9 cocks from GF were used in 3 replications in a completely randomized design. Commercial layer feed was used ad libitum for the study that lasted 29 weeks. Daily DM intake per hen was 85, 114, 103 and 137 g (SEM = 3.1) for GF, HR, TL and PK, respectively, and was in the order of GF HR > TL > GF. Average egg weight was higher for PK eggs (46.4 g), intermediate for HR (43.5 g) and TL (42.3 g), and lowest for GF (35.9 g). Eggshell weight and thickness were higher for GF than chicken genotypes. Haugh unit was similar among genotypes. Such differences among poultry genotypes could be reflection of previous selection and breeding interventions, which are apparently more in chicken genotypes than GF. A possible more stressful condition of the confined environment for GF versus chicken genotypes could have also contributed to such differences. This study highlighted the need of implementing future selection and breeding schemes to improve the performance of GF and TL birds to the level achieved by other genotypes.
Highlights
Poultry production in Ethiopia plays a crucial role in generating employment opportunities, poverty reduction, improving family nutrition, and in women empowerment [1] [2]
Forty-five layer hens from each of guinea fowl (GF), Horro (HR; local chicken ecotypes obtained from the 11th generation), Tilili (TL; local chicken ecotypes) and Potchefstroom Koekoek (PK; exotic dual chickens) with 9 cocks from GF and 6 cocks from each chicken genotypes were used for the study
This study evaluated feed intake and performance of GF and local and exotic chicken genotypes kept under an intensive management system
Summary
Poultry production in Ethiopia plays a crucial role in generating employment opportunities, poverty reduction, improving family nutrition, and in women empowerment [1] [2]. It is a suitable business for resource-poor households due to the small land requirement and low initial investment costs needed. The per capita consumption of eggs is around 4.1 eggs [1], which is far lower than the global and African average To alter this scenario and to boost the production and consumption of poultry products, the Government of Ethiopia through the Livestock Master Plan of Ethiopia [4] has set ambitious targets. Poultry species like guinea fowl (Numidia meleagris) can be used to contribute to the stretched poultry meat and egg production plan of the country
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