Effects of Strain and Non-genetic Factors on the Egg Qualities and Carcass Characteristics of Indigenous Guinea Fowl (Numida meleagris)

摘要

The objective of this study was to investigate the effects of strain and non-genetic factors on egg qualities 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, Ghana, from 2014 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 for the study. Data were analysed using the General Linear Procedure (GLM) of SAS. Results obtained showed that egg weight was significantly (p0.05) affected by generation. Parental generation had higher value (37.9±3.98) than the first filial generation (37.64±0.93); however, strain and season had no significant (p0.05) effect on egg weight and hatch weight. Generation had significant (p0.05) effect on yolk weight. Parental and first filial generations had 13.7±0.24 and 13.2±0.21 yolk weights respectively. Haugh unit was significantly influenced by strain; white 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 (p0.05) influence on live and dressing weights. Sex had no significant (p0.05) effect on head, neck and shank weights. The interaction of sex and Strain had significant (p0.05) influence on live, heart and intestine weights. Generation had no significant (p0.05) effect on carcass characteristics. Strain had significantly (p0.05) influence on moisture and carbohydrate. In conclusion, the strains and non-genetics factors (sex, season and generation) influence the egg and carcass qualities of indigenous Guinea fowl, hence the effects of these factors must be considered in genetic selection of indigenous Guinea fowls.