Influence of Strain on Production and Some Other Traits of Indigenous Guinea Fowls (Numida meleagris) in Ghana

This study was conducted to investigate the influence of strain on production traits, egg fertility, hatchability, dressing percentage, survival and docility of indigenous Guinea fowls in Ghana. A total of 700 keets (F1 generation) hatched from four strains of indigenous Guinea fowls were randomly picked from a large population at a day old and reared for 32 weeks. At 8th weeks, after mating, 600 keets (300 males and 300 females) were used for the study. The birds were separated into four strains (Pearl, Lavender, White and Black). Based on their numbers, the Pearls were replicated ten times, both Lavender and White five times each and the Black four times in a completely randomise design. There were 25 birds per replicate. In total there were 250 Pearls (125 males and 125 females), 125 Lavenders (62 males and 63 females), 125 Whites (63 males and 62 females) and 100 Blacks (50 males and 50 females). Data were analysed using the General Linear Model (GLM) procedure of SAS. The results showed that at 8th week the Pearl and the White had significantly (p<0.05) higher body weight and daily weight gain. However, at 16th, 24th and 32th week body weight was significantly (p<0.05) highest in Pearl strain. Age at first egg was significantly (p<0.05) earlier in the Lavender than the Pearl, White and Black but delayed in the Pearl. Again, the Pearls were significantly (p<0.05) superior in egg weight, percentage hen day egg production and fertility. No significant differences were observed in post-brooding daily weight gain, feed intake, FCR, docility by heterophil/lymphocyte ratio and post-brooding survival of the strains. Hatchability was significantly (p<0.05) higher in the Black. The White strain had significantly (p<0.05) better dressing percentage. Pre-brooding survival was significantly (p<0.05) higher in the Pearls and lower in the Black. Lavender was docile (p<0.05) as compared to the other breeds. It was concluded that given the same treatment, the Pearl strain had the potential to perform fairly well in most of the traits studied, hence are recommended for higher production while the Black strain should be used for hatchability and the Lavender for docility improvement.