Abstract:
All over the world it is almost impossible to determine the sex of Guinea keets at day
one of hatching. The aim of this study was to determine the sex of Guinea fowls at day old. A total of 1176 eggs were set in an incubator. The study was conducted at the
Poultry Unit of the Department of Animal Science, University of Education, Winneba,
Mampong Campus, (Ghana) from April, 2015 to March, 2016. Hatchability of fertile
eggs (728) was 44.6%. Keets were reared from day-old to four months. Differences
between males and females were observed (confirmed) using morphometric and
biometric traits at four months old. Data obtained from both traits were analyzed using
the General Linear Model Procedure of the Statistical Analysis System (SAS) and Chi
square test. Males and females did not differ (P˃ 0.05) in all morphometric traits
measured at day one of hatching, indicating that sexual dimorphism had not taken place
at that age. However, at four months, neck, body, shank and wattles lengths in males
were longer (P˂0.01) than in female counterparts. The helmet in males was also thicker
than in females. However, females had wider (P˂0.01) pelvic inlet than males. At day old, swollen leg technique indicated 52% and 48% expected males and females, and at
four months there were 52.8% and 47.2% observed males and females, respectively (P˃
0.05). Results from stretched leg technique showed 56% and 44% expected males and
females at day old, and 52.8% and 47.2% males and females, respectively, were
observed at four months (P˃ 0.05). In conclusion, the swollen and stretched leg
techniques are effective in sexing Guinea fowls at day-old. Farmers should use both
swollen or non-swollen and stretched and non-stretched leg techniques to reduce cost
of feeding males till four months before sexing and maximize profit.
Description:
THESIS SUBMITTED TO THE SCHOOL OF GRADUATE STUDIES,
UNIVERSITY OF EDUCATION, WINNEBA , IN PARTIAL FULFILLMENT
OF THE REQUIREMENTS FOR THE AWARD OF MASTER OF
PHILOSOPHY (M.PHIL) IN ANIMAL SCIENCE (ANIMAL PRODUCTION
AND MANAGEMENT SYSTEMS)
JULY, 2016