Effects of Strain and Non-genetic Factors on the Egg Qualities and Carcass Characteristics of Indigenous Guinea Fowl (&amp;lt;i&amp;gt;Numida meleagris&amp;lt;/i&amp;gt;)

Zagbede Godson Aryee

doi:10.11648/j.ijaas.20190502.12

Abstract

The objective of this study was to investigate the effects of strain and non-genetic factors on egg qualities and carcass characteristics of indigenous Guinea fowl. The study was carried out at the Poultry Section of the Department of Animal Science Education, University of Education, Winneba, Mampong-Ashanti, Ghana, from 2014 to 2016. Four strains of local Guinea fowls; namely Pearl, Lavender, White and Black were used. Three non-genetic factors were considered; season of hatch, generation and sex of bird. Data were collected on 603 local Guinea fowls for the study. Data were analysed using the General Linear Procedure (GLM) of SAS. Results obtained showed that egg weight was significantly (p<0.05) affected by generation. Parental generation had higher value (37.9±3.98) than the first filial generation (37.64±0.93); however, strain and season had no significant (p>0.05) effect on egg weight and hatch weight. Generation had significant (p<0.05) effect on yolk weight. Parental and first filial generations had 13.7±0.24 and 13.2±0.21 yolk weights respectively. Haugh unit was significantly influenced by strain; white had highest (79.04±2.49) Haugh unit, followed by lavender (77.67±2.03), black (76.51±2.49) and pearl (71.14±1.2). Generation had significant (p<0.05) influence on live and dressing weights. Sex had no significant (p>0.05) effect on head, neck and shank weights. The interaction of sex and Strain had significant (p<0.05) influence on live, heart and intestine weights. Generation had no significant (p<0.05) effect on carcass characteristics. Strain had significantly (p<0.05) influence on moisture and carbohydrate. In conclusion, the strains and non-genetics factors (sex, season and generation) influence the egg and carcass qualities of indigenous Guinea fowl, hence the effects of these factors must be considered in genetic selection of indigenous Guinea fowls.

Highlights

Guinea fowl production has the potential of becoming an integral part of the Ghanaian local poultry industry, especially in the three (3) northern regions of the country
This is as a result of successful genetic selection for economically important traits which has brought considerable progress in growth rate, body conformation and composition and laying performance of Guinea fowl strains in these regions
The significant effects of strain of birds on egg qualities such as yolk height, albumen height, shell thickness and Haugh unit may be attributed to the size of the egg, as egg size directly influences egg characteristics

Summary

Introduction

Guinea fowl production has the potential of becoming an integral part of the Ghanaian local poultry industry, especially in the three (3) northern regions of the country. Embury [2] reported that Guinea fowl production has already been proven to be profitable in many European countries like Canada, France and Italy. This is as a result of successful genetic selection for economically important traits which has brought considerable progress in growth rate, body conformation and composition and laying performance of Guinea fowl strains in these regions.

Objectives

Methods

Results