Hatching and growth performances of guinea fowl under intensive management system

Abstract

Present study was carried out to evaluate the hatching and growth performances of guinea fowls (Numida meleagris) kept under intensive rearing system at the Bangladesh Agricultural University Poultry Farm, Mymensingh. To develop a base population of guinea fowls at BAU Poultry Farm, a good number of hatching eggs were collected from different regions of the country. In first phase, the physical features of hatching eggs, their incubation period, care and handling of eggs during incubation, their fertility and hatchability were investigated. Eggs were hatched in a home incubator incubator at BAU Poultry Farm. In second phase, brooding management of the keets, growth performances, prevention and control of diseases and mortality of the birds were observed. All the activities were performed at the Laboratory of Poultry Science and the Poultry Farm of Bangladesh Agricultural University. Brooding of keets was performed under full intensive system in a littered floor. Broiler starter feed was supplied during the brooding period. Results showed that the shape of egg was top like and both white and spotted cream color shell was found. The average egg weight was 38g per egg and shell thickness was 0.52 mm. The incubation period was 28 days. Fertility and hatchability on set eggs were 80 and 68%, respectively. Dead in shell and dead in germ were 15 and 4%, respectively. The average day-old keet weight was 25.8 g. Average feed intake per bird per day during 0-4, 5-8 and 9-11 weeks of age were 10.22, 30.91 and 52.6 g with the feed conversion ratios were 3.25, 3.05 and 2.88, respectively. The keet’s mortality up to 11 weeks was 10%. Economic feasibility should be taken into consideration with the observation of egg production and other associated parameters keeping guinea under complete free-range rearing system.Progressive Agriculture 27 (1): 70-77, 2016

Influence of Season and Day Length on Production and Reproductive Traits and Egg Characteristics of the Guinea Fowl (Numida meleagris)

“…Fertility and hatchability values were similar to those reported earlier [11,20]. Egg weights were better than earlier reports of 38 g, [19,12], 39.99 g [22] and were similar to 40-45 g [20]. This contradicts the earlier findings of Boon, et al (1997) who attributed increased feed intake in birds as a result of photoperiod differences, as longer photoperiod determines the periods in which birds' daily activities and feeding can occur and has major effect on feed intake.…”

“…The roof was constructed with corrugated iron sheets and the walls were built from cement bricks and wires. A total of twelve (12) experimental cages were used for rearing the birds, each measuring 1.4 m × 1.34 m and housed 5 birds. The floor was concreted, and wood shavings were used as litter for the birds.…”

“…Guinea fowl keepers have indicated that eggs laid early in the laying season are more viable than those laid later in the season. Fertility rates have been cited to be 55% and 80% by several authors [11,12] respectively whilst hatchability rates have been reported as 64% and 68% by several authors [13,14].…”

Egg Weight, Fertility, Embryonic Mortality, Hatchability and Keets Survival Rate after Brooding of the French Broiler Guinea fowl Raised in the Humid Tropics of Nigeria

“…The result was higher than the values (68% and 60%) reported by Khairunesa et al [20] for scavenging and housed guinea fowls. Galor [19] reported hatchability rates of 70%-75% under artificial incubation.…”

“…Fertility in naturally mated stock ranges from 49%-58% while using artificial insemination ranged from 70%-80% [19]. The result is higher than the value (80%) reported by Khairunesa et al [20] who investigated fertility in naturally mated guinea fowl and also higher than the values reported by Ayorinde et al [14] who investigated lay characteristics and reproductive performance of four indigenous guinea fowls in Nigeria and found fertility range of 49% to 58% in naturally mated stock. Surai and Wishart [21] also reported lower values.…”