Comparison of Body Weight and Linear Measurements of Pearland Belgy Strains of Guinea Fowls in Northern Guinea Savanna Zone Of Nigeria

Abstract

A total of 60 day-old keets from guinea fowl generated from a base population of 60 adult guinea fowls were used to compare and assess the variability of two guinea fowl strains for growth and body linear measurements. Traits measured were body weight, body length, neck length, thigh length, shank length and breast width using a flexible measuring tape. Data obtained from bi-weekly measurements of body weight and body linear measurements were analyzed using General Linear Model Procedure of SAS. Strain of guinea fowl affected body weight and body linear measurement of keets from 2 weeks up to 16 weeks. Belgy strain had higher values for all the traits considered in the study and across all the ages. The body weight of Belgy strain was higher (p<0.01) than those of Pearl guinea fowls by almost 16.88% of body weight at 2 weeks which is shown as 69.91±0.00g for Belgy and 53.03±0.00 g for Pearl. The body weight of Belgy strain was heavier (P<0.01) than those of Pearl strain by 57.79% with a weight difference of 178.78 g at 16 weeks. Belgy strain showed a greater potential for faster growth rate than Pearl strain. Belgy strain should be incorporated in improvement programme purposed for guinea fowl in Northern Guinea Savannah zone of Nigeria.