Comparative Effects of Breed and Sex on Carcass and Organ Profiles of Duck (Anas plantrynychos) and Guinea Fowl (Numidia meleagris) in Abeokuta, Ogun State, Nigeria

Abstract

Carcass and organs characteristics of two breeds and sexes of poultry which include Duck and Guinea fowl (GF) were investigated. A total of twenty four matured birds with twelve from each breed were used for this study in a 2 × 2 (Breed × Sex) factorial arrangement in a completely randomized design. The birds were slaughtered in batches of four properly bled, defeathered and dressed, the carcasses and organs weighed. The birds carcasses were chilled at 4 ºC for 24 hrs prior to fabrication into primal cuts. The results showed that duck had higher (P<0.05) carcass and organs weight and percentages than GF, also males irrespective of the breed gave higher (P<0.05) carcass and organs weight and percentages than their female counterparts. At interaction level male ducks still gave higher (P<0.05) cut-up parts weight and percentages than female, while female GF elicited higher (P<0.05) primal cuts weight and percentages. It was observed from this study that Duck and GF carcass and organs cut-up parts were heavy enough to supply needed protein like chicken. These birds can therefore, be integrated into commercial poultry production to make animal protein more available to consumers.