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Hounkpêvi JA, Adjei-Mensah B, Adjibodé AG, Tona K, Koutinhouin B, Pitala W. Dietary protein levels during 12 to 26 wk improve the growth performance, bone quality, and testosterone in Pearl Gray male guinea fowl (Numida meleagris). Poult Sci 2024; 103:103173. [PMID: 37939585 PMCID: PMC10665940 DOI: 10.1016/j.psj.2023.103173] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/16/2023] [Revised: 10/04/2023] [Accepted: 10/06/2023] [Indexed: 11/10/2023] Open
Abstract
Guinea fowl (Numida meleagris), although native to Africa and despite its many potentials, does not represent the dominant species on the continent because of its seasonal reproductive nature and high keets mortality. This study was conducted to assess the effect of crude protein levels on growth performance, bone characteristics and reproductive activity of Pearl Gray male breeder guinea fowl from 12 to 26 wk of age. A total of 120 twelve-wk-old guinea fowls were randomly allotted to 3 dietary treatments with 8 replicates each and 5 birds per replicate using a completely randomized design. The dietary treatments comprised low level (LL), normal level (NL), and high level (HL) with diets respectively containing 15, 17, and 19% crude protein (CP). The results showed that guinea fowl in the HL treatment had a significantly lower feed conversion ratio (P = 0.008) than those in the other treatments. The birds fed the HL diet had significantly higher concentrations of testosterone (P < 0.05) than in the other treatments. High levels of calcium and phosphorus were observed in the femur of the HL group relative to the LL group. The birds in the LL treatment had a significantly higher (P = 0.007) femur robusticity index than those in the HL treatment. In conclusion, feeding 19% crude protein to Pearl Gray male guinea fowl from 12 to 26 wk of age improves growth performance, the density and strength of the femur and tibia and the reproductive tract. The CP level for the best performance of male guinea fowl from 12 to 26 wk of age is 19%.
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Affiliation(s)
- J A Hounkpêvi
- Department of Animal Science and Veterinary, Laboratory of Regional Center of Excellence in Poultry Science, University of Lome, Lome, Togo.
| | - B Adjei-Mensah
- Department of Animal Science and Veterinary, Laboratory of Regional Center of Excellence in Poultry Science, University of Lome, Lome, Togo
| | - A G Adjibodé
- Department of Animal Science and Veterinary, Laboratory of Regional Center of Excellence in Poultry Science, University of Lome, Lome, Togo
| | - K Tona
- Department of Animal Science and Veterinary, Laboratory of Regional Center of Excellence in Poultry Science, University of Lome, Lome, Togo
| | - B Koutinhouin
- Polytechnic School of Abomey-Calavi, University of Abomey-Calavi, Abomey-Calavi, Benin
| | - W Pitala
- Department of Animal Science and Veterinary, Laboratory of Regional Center of Excellence in Poultry Science, University of Lome, Lome, Togo
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Yakubu A, Jegede P, Wheto M, Shoyombo AJ, Adebambo AO, Popoola MA, Osaiyuwu OH, Olafadehan OA, Alabi OO, Ukim CI, Vincent ST, Mundi HL, Olayanju A, Adebambo OA. Multivariate characterisation of morpho-biometric traits of indigenous helmeted Guinea fowl (Numida meleagris) in Nigeria. PLoS One 2022; 17:e0261048. [PMID: 35696370 PMCID: PMC9191719 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0261048] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/22/2021] [Accepted: 05/27/2022] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
This study was conducted to characterise phenotypically helmeted Guinea fowls in three agro-ecologies in Nigeria using multivariate approach. Eighteen biometric characters, four morphological indices and eleven qualitative physical traits were investigated in a total of 569 adult birds (158 males and 411 females). Descriptive statistics, non-parametric Kruskal–Wallis H test followed by the Mann–Whitney U and Dunn-Bonferroni tests for post hoc, Multiple Correspondence Analysis (MCA), Univariate Analysis, Canonical Discriminant Analysis, Categorical Principal Component Analysis and Decision Trees were employed to discern the effects of agro-ecological zone and sex on the morphostructural parameters. Agro-ecology had significant effect (P<0.05; P<0.01) on all the colour traits. In general, the most frequently observed colour phenotype of Guinea fowl had pearl plumage colour (54.0%), pale red skin colour (94.2%), black shank colour (68.7%), brown eye colour (49.7%), white earlobe colour (54.8%) and brown helmet colour (72.6%). The frequencies of helmet shape and wattle size were significantly influenced (P<0.01) by agro-ecology and sex. Overall, birds from the Southern Guinea Savanna zone had significantly higher values (P<0.05) for most biometric traits compared to their Sudano-Sahelian and Tropical Rainforest counterparts. They were also more compact (120.00 vs. 110.00 vs. 107.69) but had lesser condition index (7.66 vs. 9.45 vs. 9.30) and lower long-leggedness (19.71 vs. 19.23 vs. 9.51) than their counterparts from the two other zones. Sexual dimorphism (P<0.05) was in favour of male birds especially those in Southern Guinea Savanna and Sudano-Sahelian zones. However, the MCA and discriminant analysis revealed considerable intermingling of the qualitative physical traits, biometric traits and body indices especially between the Sudano-Sahelian and Tropical Rainforest birds. In spite of the high level of genetic admixture, the Guinea fowl populations could to a relative extent be distinguished using wing length, body length and eye colour. Generally, the birds from the three zones appeared to be more homogeneous than heterogeneous in nature. However, further complementary work on genomics will guide future selection and breeding programs geared towards improving the productivity, survival and environmental adaptation of indigenous helmeted Guinea fowls in the tropics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Abdulmojeed Yakubu
- Department of Animal Science/Centre for Sustainable Agriculture and Rural Development, Faculty of Agriculture, Nasarawa State University, Keffi, Shabu-Lafia Campus, Lafia, Nigeria
- * E-mail: (AY); (AJS); (AOA)
| | - Praise Jegede
- Department of Animal Science/Centre for Sustainable Agriculture and Rural Development, Faculty of Agriculture, Nasarawa State University, Keffi, Shabu-Lafia Campus, Lafia, Nigeria
- National Biotechnology Development Agency, Abuja, Nigeria
| | - Mathew Wheto
- Department of Animal Breeding and Genetics, Federal University of Agriculture, Abeokuta, Nigeria
| | - Ayoola J. Shoyombo
- Department of Animal Science, Landmark University, Omu-Aran, Nigeria
- * E-mail: (AY); (AJS); (AOA)
| | - Ayotunde O. Adebambo
- Department of Animal Breeding and Genetics, Federal University of Agriculture, Abeokuta, Nigeria
- * E-mail: (AY); (AJS); (AOA)
| | | | - Osamede H. Osaiyuwu
- Department of Animal Science, Faculty of Agriculture, University of Ibadan, Ibadan, Nigeria
| | | | - Olayinka O. Alabi
- Department of Animal Science, Landmark University, Omu-Aran, Nigeria
| | | | - Samuel T. Vincent
- Department of Animal Science/Centre for Sustainable Agriculture and Rural Development, Faculty of Agriculture, Nasarawa State University, Keffi, Shabu-Lafia Campus, Lafia, Nigeria
| | - Harirat L. Mundi
- Department of Animal Science/Centre for Sustainable Agriculture and Rural Development, Faculty of Agriculture, Nasarawa State University, Keffi, Shabu-Lafia Campus, Lafia, Nigeria
- Department of Animal Science, Faculty of Agriculture, Federal University of Lafia, Lafia, Nigeria
| | - Adeniyi Olayanju
- Department of Animal Science, Landmark University, Omu-Aran, Nigeria
| | - Olufunmilayo A. Adebambo
- Department of Animal Breeding and Genetics, Federal University of Agriculture, Abeokuta, Nigeria
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Orounladji BM, Oke FO, Tozo K, Chrysostome CA. Socioeconomic correlates, typology and characterization of indigenous guinea fowl (Numida meleagris, Linnaeus) farming in Benin, West Africa. Heliyon 2022; 8:e09226. [PMID: 35399387 PMCID: PMC8987621 DOI: 10.1016/j.heliyon.2022.e09226] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/28/2021] [Revised: 02/15/2022] [Accepted: 03/28/2022] [Indexed: 11/02/2022] Open
Abstract
The role of agriculture in Benin, Western Africa cannot be overemphasized, where livestock production is a major occupation among the rural population as it serves as a means of livelihood and sustenance. This study was carried out to examine the socio-economic correlates of guinea fowl production status in Benin and to characterize their management practices. 165 farmers across 10 regions in Benin were selected using the non-probabilistic snowball sampling method. Information on farmers’ socio-economics, management practices and constraints to optimum production were elicited with the aid of a structured questionnaire and subjected to analysis. The results showed that across all the 10 regions surveyed, guinea fowl farming was the dominant occupation, particularly among men (81.0%) irrespective of sociolinguistic groups, religion and level of education. About one-third (34.5%) of the farmers had no formal education. In terms of characterization, four clusters of guinea fowl farmers were identified based on geographical location, educational level, management technique and farming experience. The constraints to guinea fowl production were slow growth and high mortalities as a result of diseases (40.7%) and predators (29.1%). Improvement in feeding (30%) and veterinary care (33.9%) were part of suggestions made by farmers to increase the productivity of the birds. The study concluded that adequate technical support and scientific research are inevitable in this sector as this will considerably improve the rural populations living conditions through enhanced income and therefore constitute a real lever for rural development.
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Shoyombo AJ, Yakubu A, Adebambo AO, Popoola MA, Olafadehan OA, Wheto M, Alabi OO, Osaiyuwu HO, Ukim CI, Olayanju A, Adebambo OA. Characterisation of indigenous helmeted guinea fowls in Nigeria for meat and egg production. WORLD POULTRY SCI J 2021. [DOI: 10.1080/00439339.2021.1974287] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/20/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- A. J. Shoyombo
- Department of Animal Science, Landmark University, Omu-Aran, Nigeria
| | - A. Yakubu
- Department of Animal Science, Faculty of Agriculture, Nasarawa State University, Lafia, Nigeria
| | - A. O. Adebambo
- Department of Animal Breeding and Genetics, Federal University of Agriculture, Abeokuta, Nigeria
| | - M. A. Popoola
- National Biotechnology Development Agency, Tertiary Education Trust Fund, Abuja, Nigeria
| | - O. A. Olafadehan
- Department of Animal Science, Faculty of Agriculture, University of Abuja, Abuja, Nigeria
| | - M. Wheto
- Department of Animal Breeding and Genetics, Federal University of Agriculture, Abeokuta, Nigeria
| | - O. O. Alabi
- Department of Animal Science, Landmark University, Omu-Aran, Nigeria
| | - H. O. Osaiyuwu
- Department of Animal Science, Faculty of Agriculture, University of Ibadan, Ibadan, Nigeria
| | - C. I. Ukim
- Tertiary Education Trust Fund, Abuja, Nigeria
| | - A. Olayanju
- Department of Animal Science, Landmark University, Omu-Aran, Nigeria
| | - O. A. Adebambo
- Department of Animal Breeding and Genetics, Federal University of Agriculture, Abeokuta, Nigeria
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