Phenotypic Correlations between External and Internal Egg Quality Traits in Three Varieties of Helmeted Guinea Fowl from 28 to 46 Weeks of Age

Abstract

This study investigated the correlation in internal egg quality traits and external egg quality of three varieties of guinea fowls. The experimental varieties were Pearl (Sake), Lavender (Hurudu) and Black (Angulu). Base populations of 180 guinea fowls were used to generate 144 F1 females comprising 48 birds per variety. Each variety was divided into three randomized replicates containing 16 birds per replicate. Data were collected fortnightly on external egg quality traits including egg weight, egg length, egg width, egg index, shell thickness, shell weight, and on internal egg quality traits including albumen height, albumen weight, albumen diameter, yolk length, yolk height, yolk weight, yolk diameter, yolk index and Haugh unit. Data collected were subjected to Pearson Product Moment Correlation using SPSS. The correlation result showed strong relationship among the three varieties with some variations which may be due to non-genetic and/or genetic reasons. The three varieties showed great similarities in the following association between egg weight vs. albumen weight, egg weight vs. yolk weight, egg length vs. yolk weight and egg width vs. albumen weight. The differences that exist in certain association in the three helmeted varieties suggests possible genetic polymorphic differences in the three varieties. This result necessitates separately planned improvement programs in the three helmeted varieties.