EFFECTS OF ENERGY, PROTEIN AND THEIR INTERACTION ON GROWTH PARAMETERS OF NIGERIA INDIGENOUS GUINEA FOWL KEETS

Abstract

Growth in animal is determined by a complex variety of factors which can be reduced to three main factors – the animal's gene pool, the nutrients with which it is supplied, and its environment. This 10-week feeding trial was carried out to evaluate the effect of dietary energy, protein and their interaction on the growth performance of Nigerian indigenous guinea fowl keets. A total of one hundred and eight (108) brooded unsexed guinea fowls: A3x3 factorial layout (26, 24 and 22% dietary protein (%CP) while the energy levels were 2650, 2750 and 2850.00 Kcal/kgME) fitted in a completely randomized design was adopted for the study. Data were obtained on body weight gain, feed intake and feed conversion ratio. Data obtained were subjected to GLM procedure of SPSS statistical software to determine the fixed and interaction effects of the utilization of feed. Although the results indicated that dietary energy, protein and their interaction had no significant (P>0.05) effects on body weight gain, feed intake and feed conversion ratio, birds fed 22% CP and 2,650 Kcal/kgME seemed to have better numerical values. From the findings of this study, it is recommended that 22% CP and 2,650 Kcal/kgME inclusion levels should be used in guinea fowl production for better performance.