Aliyu, J., Ibrahim, A.A., Yaji, E. A. and Muhammad, A. I |
ABSTRACT
A comparative study of body measurement, carcass and organ characteristics was conducted on guinea fowl in Nigeria using two genotypes. A total of 75 (40 pied and 35 pearl) guinea fowls of both sexes were used in this study. Statistical comparisons were made for differences in values between the genotypes, sexes, and different age groups. The result showed that the body measurement was highly significant (p<0.001) between the genotypes and sex. Pearl guinea fowl had significantly heavier (p<0.001) carcass components than the pied. It was also observed that the weights of the head, gizzard, intestine, heart, and abdominal fat were highly significant (p<0.001) between the genotypes with the Pear been superior to the Pied genotype. Shank weight was significant (p<0.05) while crop length and weight were not significantly (p>0.05) affected by genotype, but that was not completely the case in the sex, as neck weight, wing weight and breast weight were not significant (p>0.05). However, the effect of sex and sex x genotype interactions on organs weight were fairly constant (p>0.05). The results revealed that pearl genotype was superior to the pied. The information generated could serve as a baseline data on guinea fowl production and improvement in Nigeria. |
