Growth Performance, Carcass Traits and Breast Meat Fatty Acids Profile of Helmeted Guinea Fowls (Numida meleagris) Fed Increasing Level of Linseed (Linum usitatissimum) and Pumpkin Seed (Cucurbita moschata) Meals

Abstract

This study was conducted to determine the effects of dietary inclusion with linseed and pumpkin seed meals on growth performance, carcass traits and breast meat fatty acids profile of helmeted guinea fowls. A total of 120 meat-type helmeted guinea fowl females of 12 weeks of age were fed with 0 (T0), 100 (T1) and 200 (T2) g/kg of linseed (LM) and pumpkin seed meals (PSM) for 56 days, in a completely randomized design with 10 replicates per treatment and four birds per replicate. The inclusion up to 200 g/kg of LM and PSM did not affect the livability, initial live weight and feed intake (p>0.05). However, final live weight and feed:gain ratio improved significantly (p<0.05). The T1 increased (p<0.05) the carcass yield and the T2 improved the breast weight and weight and yield of leg. Also, these experimental diets did not affect the carcass weight, breast yield and sensory quality of meat (p>0.05). The oleaginous seeds (LM and PSM) decreased (p<0.05) the mystic, palmitic and octadecanoic acids and the ω-6/ω-3 ratio, as well as increased the linoleic, α-linolenic, eicosapentanoic and docosahexanoic acids (p<0.05), but did not modify the concentration of monounsaturated fatty acids (p>0.05) and the eicosatrienoic and arachidonic acids in breast meat (p<0.05). It is recommended the inclusion of 100 g/kg of LM and PSM to improve the live weight, weight and yield of the edible portions and the essential fatty acids in breast meat of guinea fowl, without affecting the sensory quality of the meat.

Effect of dietary replacement of soybean meal with linseed meal on feed intake, growth performance and carcass quality of broilers

“…The dressed weight observed in the current study is similar with Chiroque et al. (2018) who observed no significant effect on carcass weight up on inclusion of 20% linseed meal in guinea fowls diet.…”

“…The variation in feed conversion ratio is likely related to the linseed processing methods employed to reduce anti-nutritional content to increase nutrient availability and efficiency of utilization to the birds ( Anjum et al., 2013 ). Mortality occurred was greater than the normal range recommended in broiler production, but it did not relate to the level of linseed meal because Chiroque et al. (2018) noted lack of detrimental effects of linseed meal when used in guinea fowls.…”

Effect of dietary pumpkin (Cucurbita moschata) seed meal on layer performance and egg quality characteristics

“…Similarly, it was showed [22,23] that the neither the addition of pumpkin oil or fluted pumpkin (Telfaria occidentalis) leaf extract on laying hens diet didn't had any effect on productive performances. This result, are also sustained by Chiroque et al [24] in which it was assumed, as in our case that crude fiber content is responsible for influencing feed intake results. From the current available data, on the influence of PSM on fresh egg characteristics, it can be assumed that 9% PSM it is not affecting the internal or external quality parameters of the eggs.…”

Growth performance and meat quality of meat-type guinea fowl fed different commercial diets

“…The change of color parameters of samples (before and after heat treating) was calculated according to the equation and interpreted based on scale given below (Clydesdale, 1976):…”