Reproductive traits of the indigenous Guinea fowl under tropical humid conditions; the effect of egg size

2020

English

Fertility and hatchability are significant constraints in guinea fowl production. The current studies were therefore conducted to provide information about reproductive traits of the local guinea fowl and to establish the effects of egg size on fertility, hatchability and keet weight of the local guinea fowl. Two different studies were conducted. In the first one, a total of 600 8-week-old guinea fowls with a mean live weight of 285 ± 12 g were tagged, weighed and randomly assigned to three-floor pens, each consisting of 200 birds. Birds were monitored for weight changes, age of first egg and number of eggs laid per day until the 44th week of age. The birds were fed standard poultry diets form each growth stage. In the second study, a total of 411 settable eggs were collected for 6 days and then placed in the incubator for 28 days. Results showed that the guinea fowls started laying at the age of 24 weeks of age with a mean body weight of 1.88 kg. The mean age at first lay, mean body weight at first lay and weight of first egg were 24 weeks, 1.88 kg and 29.6 g, respectively. The fertility rate of the guinea fowl was 56.9% whereas the hatching rate was 82.2%. There was a logistic relationship between egg size (weight) and hatchability and linear relationship between egg size and the weight of Guine keets after hatching (p<0.001). In contrast, egg size had a negative relationship (p<0.01) with weight loss during incubation. Effect of egg size on fertility was also positive (p>0.05). Our results suggested medium to large eggs (>38 g) as having a higher probability of being hatched compared to smaller eggs (<38 g).

Adu-Aboagye, G.; Nyameasem, J. K.; Ahiagbe, K. M. J.; Ansah, K. O.; Zagbede, G. A.; Agbe, K. K.