PERFORMANCE OF GUINEA FOWL BREEDERS FED VARYING LEVELS OF CYPERUS BULB

Abstract

Feeding between 0.00 and 54.55 percent of Cypenis bulbs in guinea fowl diets resulted in significantly (P<0.05) different body weight gain, feed intake, egg production and egg weight. Mean weekly body weight gain was significantly (P<0.05) higher in birds fed rations containing between 0 and 41% of Cyperus bulb than those on ration containing 54.55% of Cyperus bulb. Males on rations containing between 0 and 41% of Cyperus bulb had significantly (P<0.05) higher weight gains than their female counterparts fed the same rations. Feed intake decreased significantly (P<0.05) with increased inclusion of Cypenis bulb. Weekly feed intake was however significantly (P <0.05) lower in male birds on rations 1 and 2 than those on 3 and 4. The percentage of cocks in semen production ranged from 69.3 to 73.2% and was not significantly affected by ration. Egg weight and egg production became significantly lower (P<0.05) lowered as maize was replaced with Cyperus bulb though production on rations 1 and 2 were statistically similar. The differences in nutrient digestibility and nitrogen retention are probably responsible for the varying performances. The results indicate that except for semen production and feed intake in the male, the other parameters were adversely affected by Cyperus bulb inclusion