Guinea Fowl Research Articles

Preliminary study of the avifauna of the families Numididae and Phasianidae (Galliformes) of the Bombo-Lumene hunting area and reserve in Kinshasa (DR Congo)

The present study consisted of the identification of Numididae and Phasianidae birds of the Bombo-Lumene Hunting Estate and Reserve with a view to a domestication trial of one or two of their species. It focuses on direct field observations and trapping of birds. The following parameters were targeted in relation to domestication: weight, size, diet of these birds. A total of 468 bird specimens were observed (105) and captured (363) in various habitats. Of the individuals captured, 31 or 8.5% were Numididae and 332 or 91.4% were Phasianidae. The identification revealed five (5) species, three (3) genera, two (2) families and a single order. The species Francolinus afer, Numida meleagris and Francolinus coqui are the richest with respectively 364 individuals, 58 individuals and 42 individuals. On the other hand, the species Guttera pucherani and Francolinus streptophorus are the least rich with three individuals and one individual respectively. As millet farming has already been successfully experimented elsewhere and in the Democratic Republic of Congo, the results obtained from the targeted parameters indicate that among the species identified, only the species Guttera pucherani (Numididae) and Francolinus afer (Phasianidae) are eligible for a domestication trial in the Democratic Republic of Congo.

Virulence genes and enterobacterial repetitive intergenic consensus region (ERIC) profiling reveals highly diverse genetic population among avian strains of Pasteurella multocida

Pasteurella multocida is a multispecies pathogen with certain host specific capsular types but interspecies transmission cannot be overlooked. Knowing the diversity of P. multocida in a geographical location is essential to formulate a vaccination programme. Diversity among the P. multocida isolates from different avian species recovered in the state of Tamil Nadu, India was studied using enterobacterial repetitive intergenic consensus region (ERIC)-PCR and virulence gene profiling (VP). Capsular typing revealed that 44 (97.78%) strains belonged to capsular type A while only one (2.22%) strain belonged to capsular type B. ERIC-PCR analysis showed eight different clusters and four individual strains. The index of discrimination (D value) was found to be 0.8899. Virulence profiling showed that genes fimA, pfhA, hsf-2 and pmHAS were found in 100% of the strains while ompH, omp87, ompA, plpB, sodA, sodC, ptfA, hsf-1, exbB, fur, hgbA and hgbB were found in ≥90% of the strains. Dermonecrotoxin gene toxA was present only in 4.44% of the strains, while nanH in 68.89% and nanB in 88.89% of the strains. One strain each from turkey and Guinea fowl had toxA gene. Correlation analysis revealed a positive correlation between ptfA and hgbA gene, exbB and fur gene, ptfA and sodC gene, exbB and hsf-1 gene, ompA and ompH gene. Majority of duck strains clustered together both in ERIC and virulence gene profiles. Turkey strains were highly diverse with different VPs and ERIC-PCR patterns.

Performance characteristics and meat quality assessment of guinea fowl fed varied levels of dietary protein

Guinea fowl appears to be a promising poultry meat source but its production strength under most common extensive or semi-intensive impair the potentials, this work therefore was done to investigate the dietary protein requirement of 10 weeks old Guinea fowl fed exclusively with compounded feed under intensive system. It was conducted at the poultry unit of Teaching and Research Farm unit of Ladoke Akintola University of Technology, Ogbomoso and lasted for a period of 16 weeks. A total number of 120 growing guinea fowl birds were used for the experiment; they were equally and randomly distributed to four dietary treatments of three replicates per group with ten birds per replicate, they were randomly allocated to diets 1, 2, 3 and 4 which contained 16%, 18%, 20% and 22% crude protein respectively. Weekly weight gain, feed intake and feed conversion ratio were monitored. At the end of 15 weeks, two birds per replicate were randomly picked, housed in metabolic cage and their feacal samples were collected for nutrient analysis and digestibility study, blood samples were collected from same sampled birds for hematological characteristics, so also their meat samples for meat quality analysis. Highest final weight (1555.99g) was recorded from 18% followed by 20% (1517.55g) while the least final weight was recorded from 22% (1482.72g). The highest and least daily feed intake was recorded from 22%(99.53g) and 16% (86.37g) respectively. There were significant (P<0.05) differences in the birds' nutrient 3 3 digestibility except for ash. Significantly (P<0.05) high value of WBC (19.53 xl0 /mm ) was 3 3 3 3 3 3 observed in 20% compared to 16.98 xl0 /mm , 12.65 xl0 /mm , 10.83 xl0 /mm from 16%, 18%, 22% respectively, while the differential counts (%) of monocytes, lymphocytes, heterophil, basophil obtained were not significantly (P>0.05) influenced. Crude protein content of the thigh and breast muscle increased (P<0.05) while the crude fat decreased with increased dietary protein while no significant (P>0.05) difference was observed in the values recorded for ash. Hence for better performance, 18% dietary protein should be fed considerably in the diet of growing guinea fowl.
 
 
 La volaille de Guinée semble être une source de viande de volaille prometteuse, mais sa résistance à la production sous tension étendue ou semi-intensif la plus fréquentée les potentiels, ce travail a donc été fait pour enquêter sur l'exigence de protéines alimentaires de 10 semaines de de poule de Guinée nourri exclusivement avec des aliments intensifs système. Elle a été réalisée à l'unité avicole de l'unité Ferme d'enseignement et de recherche de Ladoke Akintola, University of Technology Ogbomoso et a duré une période de 16 semaines. Un nombre total de 120 oiseaux à croissance de Guinée de croissance ont été utilisés pour l'expérience; Ils étaient également distribués de manière aléatoire et aléatoirement à quatre traitements diététiques de trois répliquant par groupe avec dix oiseaux par réplication, ils ont été alloués de manière aléatoire aux régimes 1, 2, 3 et 4 qui contenaient respectivement 16%, 18%, 20% et 22% de protéines brutes de brut respectivement . Le gain de poids hebdomadaire, l'apport d'alimentation et le rapport de conversion d'alimentation ont été surveillés. À la fin de 15 semaines, deux oiseaux par réplication ont été cueillis au hasard, hébergés dans une cage métabolique et leurs échantillons fantascaux ont été collectés pour l'analyse des éléments nutritifs et l'étude de digestibilité, des échantillons de sang ont été collectés à partir de mêmes oiseaux échantillonnés pour les caractéristiques hématologiques, ainsi que leurs échantillons de viande pour Analyse de la qualité de la viande. Le poids final le plus élevé (1555,99 g) a été enregistré de 18% suivi de 20% (1517,55g) tandis que le poids le moins final a été enregistré de 22% (1482,72 g). L'apport alimentaire le plus élevé et le moins quotidien a été comptabilisé de 22% (99.53 g) et de 16% (86,37 g) respectivement. Il y avait des différences significatives (p <0,05) dans la digestibilité des nutriments des oiseaux, à l'exception des cendres. Significativement (p <0,05) haute valeur de WBC (19,53 xl03 / mm3) a été observée dans 20% par rapport à 16,98 xl03 / mm3, 12,65 xl03 / mm3, 10,83 xl03 / mm3 de 16%, 18%, 22% respectivement, tandis que la Les comptes différentiels (%) des monocytes, des lymphocytes, hétérophiles, basophile obtenus n'étaient pas significativement (p> 0,05) influencés. La teneur en protéines brut de la cuisse et du muscle du sein a augmenté (p <0,05) tandis que la graisse brute a diminué avec une protéine alimentaire accrue, sans aucune différence significative (p> 0,05) n'a été observée dans les valeurs enregistrées pour les cendres. Par conséquent, pour une meilleure performance, une protéine diététique de 18% devrait être considérablement nourrie dans le nrégime alimentaire de la grosseur de la poule en guinée.

Plasticity of the gastrocnemius elastic system in response to decreased work and power demand during growth.

Elastic energy storage and release can enhance performance that would otherwise be limited by the force-velocity constraints of muscle. Although functional influence of a biological spring depends on tuning between components of an elastic system (the muscle, spring-driven mass and lever system), we do not know whether elastic systems systematically adapt to functional demand. To test whether altering work and power generation during maturation alters the morphology of an elastic system, we prevented growing guinea fowl (Numida meleagris) from jumping. We compared the jump performance of our treatment group at maturity with that of controls and measured the morphology of the gastrocnemius elastic system. We found that restricted birds jumped with lower jump power and work, yet there were no significant between-group differences in the components of the elastic system. Further, subject-specific models revealed no difference in energy storage capacity between groups, though energy storage was most sensitive to variations in muscle properties (most significantly operating length and least dependent on tendon stiffness). We conclude that the gastrocnemius elastic system in the guinea fowl displays little to no plastic response to decreased demand during growth and hypothesize that neural plasticity may explain performance variation.

Effect of nutritional manipulation on the juvenile local keets (Numida meleagris) under tropical conditions

Abstract The growth performance of birds depends on their juvenile development, which is also the most crucial and exigent period in the production of guinea fowl. The purpose of this study was to assess the effects of variation in energy and protein intake of local keets. A total of 600 local keets were allocated to 5 treatments groups: control, low energy (Low-E), low protein (Low-P), high energy (High-E) and high protein (High-P) with 4 replicates of 30 keets each. Feed was offered ad libitum and feed intake was recorded daily. The birds were weighed weekly and mortalities were recorded. At 8 weeks of age, blood samples were collected for haematology and biochemical analysis. The data obtained were analysed using Graph Pad Prism 5.00.288 software in a completely randomised design. The results showed that the birds fed High-E diet consumed less feed at all ages than those in the other treatment groups. At 5 weeks onwards, body weights of keets fed Low-E and High-P diets increased (p < 0.05) more rapidly than those in control, High-E and Low-P diets. Keets fed High-E diet had a lower average daily weight gain than those in control, Low-E, High-P and Low-P diets. Feed conversion ratio (FCR) was similar across treatment groups. Keets fed High-P and Low-E diets had less mortality. Most of the blood parameters were not affected (p > 0.05) by feed treatments. However, there was a significant difference (p < 0.05) in the haematocrit of the birds according to the feed treatments. In conclusion, the Low-E and High-P diets improved body weights, average daily gain and reduced mortality rate during the juvenile age. The High-E negatively affected the feed intake. Diet did not significantly influence the level of total cholesterol, total protein, triglycerides and albumin.

Positive Influence of a Probiotic Mixture on the Intestinal Morphology and Microbiota of Farmed Guinea Fowls (Numida meleagris).

To understand the effectiveness of a probiotic mixture on intestinal morphology, mucus layer composition, and cecal microbiota diversity, 40 10-day-old Guinea fowls (Numida meleagris) were assigned to two groups: the control group (C), receiving drinking water, and the treated group (P), receiving water plus a commercial multi-strain probiotic (Slab51®, 2 × 1011 CFU/L). Birds were slaughtered after 4 months, and the intestines were collected. Samples from the duodenum, ileum, and cecum were processed for morphological and morphometric studies, and conventional glycohistochemistry. Cecal samples were also used to assess the microbiota by 16S metataxonomic approach. Group P showed significant increase in the villus height (p < 0.001 in the duodenum and p < 0.05 in the ileum and cecum), villus width (p < 0.05 in all investigated tracts), depth of crypts (p < 0.001 in the duodenum and cecum; p < 0.05 in the ileum), and goblet cells per villus (p < 0.001 in all investigated tracts) compared with group C. Cecal microbiota of the birds varied considerably and comparing the relative abundance of the main observational taxonomic units (OTUs), a positive enrichment of several beneficial taxa, such as Oscillospira, Eubacterium, Prevotella, and members of the Ruminococcaceae, was observed. The enrichment of those taxa can improve microbiota stability and resilience facing environmental stresses, enhancing its resistance against invading pathogens. Ruminococcaceae, which represent the most important taxon in both groups, and Prevotella have a key role in the gut physiology due to the production of short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs), which are a vital energy source for enterocytes, improve glucose metabolism, and exert an overall anti-inflammatory effect. Probiotic administration enriches the presence of Coprococcus, Oscillospira, and Eubacterium taxa that produce butyrate, which exerts a beneficial effect on growth performance, structure of villi, and pathogen control and has anti-inflammatory properties too. This study indicates that Slab51® supplementation positively affects the morphology and microbiota diversity of the guinea fowl intestine.

Efficacy of Levamisole, Piperazine and their Combination in the Control of Gastrointestinal Worms in Guinea Fowl

Guinea fowl production is gaining prominence in Ghana and the major health problems associated is helminthosis. However, studies on the use of anthelmintics in guinea fowl had been scanty in literature despite research into more effective drug strategies in controlling helminth infections in poultry. This study was carried out to compare the efficacy of piperazine, levamisole and their combination in the control of gastrointestinal worms from August- December 2019. Six-thousand-layer guinea fowls were divided into four groups (1, 2, 3 and 4). Group 1 was treated with piperazine at 100g/100 L of water, Group 2 with levamisole at 100g/200 L of water, Group 3 with a combination of levamisole and piperazine and Group 4 was the control group. All treatments were administered via water medication and the control group was offered plain water. Faecal samples were collected before and after treatment from each bird. Faecal egg count reduction (FECR) rate was determined for each group. Predominant helminth infections from pre- treatment faecal examinations were Ascaridia galli 100 (60.24 %) which was the highest, followed by Heterakis gallinarum 43 (25.90%), Strongyloides avium 15 (9.04%), Raillietina echinobothridia 7 (4.22) and Syngamus trachea 1 (0.6%). Reduction was statistically significant, p-value ˂ 0.0001 at confidence interval of 95%. The percentage reduction in faecal egg count was 143 (35.75%) for piperazine treatment group, 172 (43%) for levamisole treatment group, 350 (87.50%) for piperazine- levamisole combination group and 4 (1.05%) for the control group. The use of piperazine-levamisole combination was more efficacious and recommended in the control of gastrointestinal nematodes in guinea fowl.

Analysis of Meat Consumption Pattern in Ogbomoso North Local Government Area, Oyo State, Nigeria

The increasing awareness of the benefits of more nutritious, healthier and safer food products by consumers plays a vital role in the recent changes experienced in the food production chain, and meat products are no exception to this. The study investigated consumption pattern of meat in Ogbomoso North Local Government Area, Oyo State, Nigeria. Primary data for the study were obtained from 120 respondents with the use of structured questionnaire analysed using descriptive statistics and inferential statistics. According to the study, chicken, turkey and beef with percentage frequencies 96.7%, 81.7% and 76.8% respectively were the most consumed meat types, while quail, rabbit and guinea fowl with percentage frequencies 6.7%, 7.5% and 12.5% respectively were the least consumed meat types. Also, income of the respondent with t-value 41.08 and a positively signed coefficient at 1% level of significance was found to have a direct effect on the monthly expenditure on preferred meat type. The study recommend there should be awareness on the nutritional benefits of consuming meats of low saturated fats and calorie contents such as rabbit, quail and guinea fowl and also to teach them how to raise these animals domestically.

Analysis of Meat Consumption Pattern in Ogbomoso North Local Government Area, Oyo State, Nigeria

The increasing awareness of the benefits of more nutritious, healthier and safer food products by consumers plays a vital role in the recent changes experienced in the food production chain, and meat products are no exception to this. The study investigated consumption pattern of meat in Ogbomoso North Local Government Area, Oyo State, Nigeria. Primary data for the study were obtained from 120 respondents with the use of structured questionnaire analysed using descriptive statistics and inferential statistics. According to the study, chicken, turkey and beef with percentage frequencies 96.7%, 81.7% and 76.8% respectively were the most consumed meat types, while quail, rabbit and guinea fowl with percentage frequencies 6.7%, 7.5% and 12.5% respectively were the least consumed meat types. Also, income of the respondent with t-value 41.08 and a positively signed coefficient at 1% level of significance was found to have a direct effect on the monthly expenditure on preferred meat type. The study recommend there should be awareness on the nutritional benefits of consuming meats of low saturated fats and calorie contents such as rabbit, quail and guinea fowl and also to teach them how to raise these animals domestically.

Effect of moringa leaf meal and season on blood and hormonal profile of the pearl guinea fowl (Numida meleagris)

This study was undertaken to determine the effect of moringa leaf meal and season on blood and hormonal profile of the Pearl Guinea fowl (Numida meleagris) in the Middle belt of Ghana. Thirty-two (32) males and one hundred and twenty-eight (128) female Pearl Guinea fowls aged one-day-old were used for the study. A 3 x 4 factorial experimental design was used for the experiment. Data collected were analyzed using General Linear Model (GLM) procedure of Statistical Analysis System (SAS for Windows, version 7) and means were separated by the probability of difference (PDIFF) procedure of SAS (2008). Mean cell volume was highest (175.39 fl) among Guinea fowls fed with diet containing 12 % moringa leaf meal level. Guinea fowls fed with diet containing 15 % moringa leaf meal had the highest (3.44 x1012/L) red blood cells production. Eosinophil level was highest (3.95 x1012/L) among Guinea fowls fed with diet containing 9 % moringa leaf meal. Birds fed with the moringa diets recorded the highest (P= 0.022) WBC values as compared to the control diet. Triglycerides, high density lipoprotein and low-density lipoprotein levels increased (P&lt;0.05) with increasing levels of dietary moringa leaf meal in the diet. The highest (P= 0.0025) level of progesterone was observed among birds fed with diet containing 12 and 15 % moringa leaf meal inclusion levels. The level of sodium was highest (166.69 nmol/l) among Guinea fowls fed with diet containing 12 % moringa leaf meal. The major and minor rainy seasons recorded the highest (P&lt;0.05) mean cell hemoglobin, red blood cells, albumin and oestrogen levels. Platelets, follicle stimulating hormone, luteinizing hormone, prolactin and chlorine levels were highest (P&lt;0.05) in the dry season while basophil level was highest in the major rainy season. Cholesterol, triglycerides, high density lipoprotein, low density lipoprotein and potassium levels were highest (P&lt;0.05) in the major rainy season. This study concludes that feeding Guinea fowls with moringa leaf meal had positive effect on some haematological, biochemical and hormonal parameters.

Effect of moringa leaf meal and season on blood and hormonal profile of the pearl guinea fowl (Numida meleagris)

Effect of moringa leaf meal and season on blood and hormonal profile of the pearl guinea fowl (Numida meleagris)

Beç tavuğu etinin kimyasal ve yağ asidi kompozisyonu üzerine yetiştirme sistemi ve kesim yaşının etkisi

Bu çalışma, beç tavuklarında yetiştirme sistemi ve kesim yaşının etin kimyasal kompozisyonu, yağ asitleri profili ve yağ asitlerinden oluşturulan indeks değerler üzerine etkisini belirlemek amacıyla yürütülmüştür. Çalışmanın materyalini serbest gezinmeli ve kapalı sistemde 14, 16 ve 18 hafta yetiştirilmiş (erkek ve dişi karışık) beç tavuklarından elde edilen derisiz göğüs ve but eti örnekleri oluşturmaktadır. Yetiştirme sistemi ve kesim yaşının göğüs eti kimyasal kompozisyonu üzerine etkisi önemsiz olmuştur. But etinde ise kuru madde oranı yaşa bağlı farklılık göstermiştir. Kapalı sistemde yetiştirilen beç tavuklarının göğüs etinde C18:1n9c, T+ÇDYA, n-9, TDYA/DYA, ÇDYA/DYA, BDİ, h/H ve İYA daha yüksek oranda bulunmuştur. Serbest gezinmeli sistemde yetiştirilen beç tavuklarının ise göğüs etinde C16:0, C18:0, C22:1n9, DYA, AI ve TI daha yüksek belirlenmiştir. But etinde C18:0 kapalı, C18:1n9c, TDYA, n-9 ve TDYA/DYA ise serbest gezinmeli yetiştirme sisteminde daha yüksek belirlenmiştir. Yaşa bağlı olarak but eti C20:1 oranında azalma, C22:1n9 ve n-3 oranında ise artış meydana gelmiştir. Göğüs etinde ise yaş ile birlikte C22:1n9, n-9 ve TDYA/DYA oranında artış belirlenmiştir. Sonuç olarak her iki yetiştirme sistemi arasında bazı değerler açısından farklılıklar oluşmuştur. Bununla birlikte genel değerlendirmede kapalı ve serbest gezinmeli yetiştirme sisteminin üretim için uygun olduğu görülmektedir. Tüketiciler açısından ise doymuş yağ asitleri ve buna bağlı değerlerin dikkate alınması gerektiği düşünülmektedir.

Dependencies in the development of poultry farming in some Balkan countries

Information concerning poultry farming (chickens, ducks, geese and guinea fowls) is the object of study in the current paper. It has been extracted from the website of the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations. The obtained data about the four Balkan countries (Bulgaria, Greece, Romania and Albania) have been saved in a separate Excel file. Subsequently, they have been processed and evaluated. The surveyed period includes 58-year time interval from 1961 to 2018. The article presents the dependencies in the development of poultry farming in the listed countries for the indicated period. A comparative analysis and an analysis of variance have been applied to the considered data. The examined information has also been summarized and presented mainly in graphical form. The results of the analysis showed the relevant time intervals in which a continuous growth, as well as a significant decline of the studied indicators (number of chickens, number of ducks, number of geese and guinea fowls) was established for each of these four Balkan countries. The statistical assessment of the number of chickens in the examined countries formed three groups with statistically significant differences. Data for Albania were excluded from the evaluation of the other two indicators because the provided information about them was for the period from 1994 to 2011.

Description of the first isolates of guinea fowl corona and picornaviruses obtained from a case of guinea fowl fulminating enteritis

ABSTRACT Guinea fowl fulminating enteritis has been reported in France since the 1970s. In 2014, a coronavirus was identified and appeared as a possible viral pathogen involved in the disease. In the present study, intestinal content from a guinea fowl involved in a new case of the disease in 2017 was analysed by deep sequencing, revealing the presence of a guinea fowl coronavirus (GfCoV) and a picornavirus (GfPic). Serial passage assays into the intra-amniotic cavity of 13-day-old specific pathogen-free chicken eggs and 20-day-old conventional guinea fowl eggs were attempted. In chicken eggs, isolation assays failed, but in guinea fowl eggs, both viruses were successfully obtained. Furthermore, two GfCoV and two GfPic isolates were obtained from the same bird but from different sections of its intestines. This shows that using eggs of the same species, in which the virus has been detected, can be the key for successful isolation. The consensus sequence of the full-length genomes of both GfCoV isolates was highly similar, and correlated to those previously described in terms of genome organization, ORF length and phylogenetic clustering. According to full-length genome analysis and the structure of the Internal Ribosome Entry Site, both GfPic isolates belong to the Anativirus genus and specifically the species Anativirus B. The availability of the first isolates of GfCoV and GfPic will now provide a means of assessing their pathogenicity in guinea fowl in controlled experimental conditions and to assess whether they are primary viral pathogens of the disease “guinea fowl fulminating enteritis”. RESEARCH HIGHLIGHTS First isolation of guinea fowl coronaviruses and picornaviruses. Eggs homologous to the infected species are key for isolation. Isolates available to precisely evaluate the virus roles in fulminating enteritis. First full-length genome sequences of guinea fowl picornaviruses.

Diurnal and seasonal fluctuations in cloacal temperature in helmeted guinea-fowl (Numida meleagris) and the effect of ascorbic acid

ABSTRACT The study evaluated ascorbic acid (AA) effects on diurnal fluctuations in cloacal temperature (CT) in guinea-fowls. Twenty guinea-fowls were each assigned to two groups: Group I was administered with distilled water and Group II was treated daily with AA (50 mg/kg) orally. Measurements of dry-bulb temperature (DBT) and relative humidity (RH), to obtain temperature-humidity index (THI), and CT of each guinea-fowl were taken concurrently in the pen thrice a day for 3 days, 1 week apart, during the rainy, cold-dry (harmattan) and hot-dry seasons. Values of THI during the rainy (26.16 ± 0.36) and hot-dry (28.50 ± 1.11) seasons were above the thermoneutral zone for avian species (21), indicating that the guinea-fowls were exposed to heat stress in the seasons. Values of CT were higher (P < 0.05) in controls than experimental guinea-fowls (rainy, 42.17 ± 0.06 vs 42.04 ± 0.08; hot-dry, 42.78 ± 0.11 vs 42.52 ± 0.04°C) and were outside the normal range for avian species. Administration of AA modulated CT fluctuations by decreasing the values in hot-dry season. In conclusion, the hot-dry season was the most stressful for guinea-fowls, and AA modulated considerably CT fluctuations during the season.

Growth rate and meat quality of guinea fowl kept in farm conditions

The research (2018-2019) was conducted in the conditions of a peasant farm in the Voronezh region. The paper evaluates the indicators of the growth rate and meat productivity of the preserved gene pool groups of guinea fowl. The experiment involved three groups of daily guinea fowl of 200 heads of different genetic origin: lines of the Volga white breed (the original VB-4, selected by the rate of live weight gain and reproductive characteristics; autosex VBA-1, selected by the color of down, feather and productive characteristics) and gray-speckled guinea fowl of unknown origin. Studies have shown that the live weight of guinea fowl of the VBA-1 line exceeded the live weight of poultry from other groups of guinea fowl, a significant excess was noted at 8, 12 and 13 weeks of age. The greatest coefficient of variation of the trait was observed at 8 weeks of age. The analysis of relative gain in live weight of guinea fowl showed that up to 10 weeks of age, the highest relative growth rate of guinea fowl of all experimental groups was observed (14.0-17.0 %). Starting from the age of 11 weeks, this indicator gradually decreased (4.3-13.4 %). It was found out that under the same conditions of keeping and feeding, the feed costs per 1 kg of live weight gain in guinea fowls of the VBA-1 line were less by 0.09-0.16 kg (3.11-6.33 %) compared to poultry of the VB-4 line and by 0.2-0.4 kg (5.49-12.82 %) compared to their gray-speckled peers. The results of anatomical cutting of guinea fowl carcasses showed that the experimental groups of poultry significantly (P&lt; 0.05) differed among themselves in the degree of development of internal organs and tissues. The yield of edible parts was 60.2-61.1 %, depending on the group of poultry. The large live weight noted by us in linear poultry is the reason for their better meat productivity, which is directly related to an increase in the absolute mass of the eviscerated carcass, its edible parts, muscles and bones. Based on the data obtained, the optimal age of poultry slaughter for meat was determined at 10-12 weeks of life.

Detection and Typing of a Fowl Adenovirus Type 1 Agent of Pancreatitis in Guinea Fowl.

Adenoviral pancreatitis has been amply described for decades in guinea fowl. Although its pathologic picture has been characterized fairly well, its etiology still remains only partially clarified. Based on several outbreaks diagnosed on commercial guinea flocks raised in France since 2017, we performed direct whole-genome sequencing from pancreatic lesional tissue by using the Oxford Nanopore Technologies (ONT) sequencing method. We generated 4781 viral reads and assembled a whole genome of 43,509 bp, clustering within fowl adenovirus type 1 (FAdV-1). A phylogenetic analysis based on a partial sequence of the hexon and short fiber genes on viruses collected in France showed 98.7% and 99.8% nucleotide identity, respectively. Altogether, these results confirm that an FAdV-1 closely related to chicken and other avian strains is the agent of pancreatitis in guinea fowl. This study illustrates the potential of ONT sequencing method to achieve rapid whole-genome sequencing directly from pathologic material.

Effects of egg storage duration on egg quality, metabolic rate, hematological parameters during embryonic and post-hatch development of guinea fowl broilers

Considering the value of guinea fowl keets, successful incubation of eggs is particularly desirable in this poultry species. This study evaluated the effect of egg storage duration on egg quality, heat production, hematological parameters during embryonic development and post hatch performance of guinea fowl broilers. A total of 800 hatching eggs of guinea fowl were used for this study. Before incubation, 12 eggs per treatment were used to analyse egg quality. Then, eggs were numbered, weighed, and assigned to 2 treatment groups of 400 eggs each according to storage duration of 5, and 10 d at a temperature of 18°C. The eggs were set for incubation at 37.7°C and 55% relative humidity for 28 d in a forced-draft incubator. To determine heat production as a measure of metabolism, 60 eggs in each replicate were transferred to respiratory cages post hatch two 12 wk old guinea fowl were also used to determine heat production. CO2 and O2 were recorded to calculate heat production at internal pipping, hatch and at 12 wk of age. The hatched keets were reared for 12 wk and data were collected on feed intake, body weight and feed conversion ratio. Blood samples were collected at hatch and at 12 wk of age from 24 guinea fowls per treatment to analyze haematological parameters. The results showed that embryos and guinea fowls at 12 wks of age from eggs stored for 5 d had higher (P ˂ 0.05) heat production and body weights. However, a significant higher (P ˂ 0.05) level of basophile, eosinophils, and lymphocytes was observed in guinea fowls from 10 d storage egg. It was concluded that extended duration of egg storage negatively influenced the metabolic rate of embryos. It also impacted hematological parameters which may suggest influence on immune response during embryonic and post-hatch growth.

Gastrointestinal nematodes in two galliform birds from South Africa: patterns associated with host sex and age.

Parasite ecology has recently focused on elucidating patterns and processes that shape helminth communities in avian hosts. However, helminths parasitizing gamebirds are still poorly understood. Here we describe the gastrointestinal nematode fauna of Swainson's spurfowl, Pternistis swainsonii (Phasianidae) and helmeted guineafowl, Numida meleagris (Numididae), collected at three and four localities, respectively, in South Africa and analyze the prevalence, mean abundance and diversity of their helminth communities. Eleven nematode species were collected from spurfowl, which had a mean number of nematode species per host of 3.01 ± 0.18, whereas guineafowl harboured 15 nematode species, with a mean number of nematode species per host of 3.93 ± 0.12. Focusing on the most prevalent species, we also asked if host sex and/or age were associated with infracommunity structure with regard to nematode counts and species richness, as well as the species and taxonomic composition of infracommunities. While pooling data of nematode species masked the influence of host characteristics on helminth communities, analysis of individual nematode species revealed a number of patterns. In particular, adult female bias was seen in Tetrameres swainsonii in spurfowl and in Allodapa dentigera and Gongylonema congolense in guineafowl; Acuaria gruveli reached higher numbers in adult spurfowl than in juveniles, and helminth infracommunities in juvenile male guineafowl were more species rich than those in adult males. Combined, our results suggest that helminth communities of spurfowl and guineafowl are associated with a complex interplay of numerous factors, including host characteristics, parasite traits and environmental conditions.

Dynamics of influenza A (avian influenza) virus in poultry in the Greater Accra region of Ghana amongst the production levels

ABSTRACT This research explores, through active surveillance, influenza A prevalence at different production levels in the Greater Accra region of Ghana, a study area with previous outbreak of highly pathogenic avian influenza H5N1 virus. The prevalence of influenza A was determined by rtRTPCR. This was achieved by screening 2040 samples comprising tracheal and cloacal swabs from chicken, ducks, pigeons, guinea fowls, and turkeys. Influenza A prevalence by production levels and species was computed at 95% confidence interval (CI) using the exact binomial interval. Structured questionnaires were also administered to 50 randomly selected poultry traders in the live bird markets. The overall influenza A prevalence was 7.7% (95% CI, 6.6, 8.9). Live bird market recorded 13.5% (n = 139, 95% CI, 11.5, 15.7), backyard poultry was 1.4% (95% CI, 0.6, 2.7), and commercial poultry 2.4% (95% CI, 1.2, 4.3). There was evidence of influenza A in all the poultry species sampled except for turkey. Subtyping of the M-gene has revealed the circulation of H9 in the three production levels. Live bird market has demonstrated high prevalence coupled with low level of biosecurity consciousness among the poultry operators. This is suggestive of live bird market serving as a potential basket for genetic reassortment with unpredictable future consequences.