Effects of strain and non-genetic factors on growth and reproduction, egg quality and carcass characteristics of indigenous guinea fowl (Numida meleagris)

Abstract

Little scientific research has been carried out on local Guinea fowls to estimate average values of traits and effects of genetic and environmental factors on these traits. The objective of this study was to investigate the effects of strain and non genetic factors on growth, reproduction, egg quality 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 campus, Ghana, from 2015 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 to estimate average values of traits. Data were analysed with the General Linear Procedure (GLM) of SAS. Results obtained showed that parental generation was significantly(p<0.05) higher than the first filial generation in 6 months body weight, daily feed intake and feed conversion ratio. The female birds had significantly (p<0.05) better 6 months weight, daily weight gain and daily feed intake than the male birds. The strains of the birds significantly (p<0.05) influenced the growth indicators. Lavender strain had the highest (240.57±9.73) total weight gain compared to black (214.65±12.64), white (212.75±15.06) and pearl (207.265±7.1) strains. Parental generation (37.9±3.98) had significantly (p<0.05) better egg weight than the first filial generation (37.64±0.93). Hatchability and fertility were significantly (p<0.05) influenced by strain of birds. Pearl had the highest (66.77±1.93) fertility than black (59.36±4.8), lavender (58.11±3.75) and white (56.83±4.59). The highest (27.29±2.05) hatchability was recorded by pearl, followed by black (25.73±5.09), lavender (18.83±3.98) and white (12.5±4.89). Parental generation birds (13.7±0.24) had significantly (p<0.05) better yolk weights than first filial generations birds (13.2±0.21). White strains had significantly (p<0.05) 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. The interaction of sex and strain had significant (p<0.05) influence on live, heart and intestine weights. Strain had significantly (p<0.05) influence on moisture and carbohydrate. In conclusion, the genetics (strains) and non-genetics factors (Sex, season and generation) influence the growth, reproductive, egg quality and carcass quality of local guinea fowl, hence the effects of these factors must be considered in genetic selection of indigenous Guinea fowls.