GROWTH PERFORMANCE AND CARCASS YIELD OF HELMETED GUINEA FOWL (NUMIDA MELEAGRIS) MALE KEETS RAISED IN DIFFERENT HOUSING SYSTEMS OF A TROPICAL ENVIRONMENT
Abstract
This study evaluated the growth performance and carcass yield of male helmeted guinea fowl (Numida meleagris) keets raised under three housing systems: deep litter, battery cage, and deep litter, which run in a tropical environment. The objective was to assess the influence of housing on bird productivity and carcass characteristics to inform best practices for sustainable guinea fowl production. Two hundred sixteen eight-week-old male keets were randomly distributed across the housing systems in a Completely Randomized Design, with feed and water provided ad libitum for 16 weeks. Growth performance was measured weekly, while carcass and gastrointestinal traits were evaluated post-slaughter. Data were analyzed using Analysis of Variance (ANOVA), and significant means were separated using Duncan’s Multiple Range Test at a 5% significance level. Results showed significant differences (p < 0.05) in feed intake and some carcass parameters among housing systems. Deep litter with run birds exhibited a superior dressing percentage (74.25%) and higher ether extract content in thigh meat (5.02%). In contrast, battery cage birds showed higher drumstick meat percentage and crude protein levels. The housing system significantly influenced oesophagus length and selected gastrointestinal segments. It is concluded that deep litter with run offers a favourable environment for improved carcass traits and may enhance nutrient deposition in meat, suggesting it is a viable system in tropical settings. These findings contribute to the knowledge of guinea fowl production and recommend further investigation into the interactive effects of housing and environmental variables on performance outcomes.
References
Abo Ghanima, M. M., Abd El-Hack, M. E., Othman, S. I., Taha, A. E., Allam, A. A., & Abdel-Moneim, A.-M. E. (2020). Impact of different rearing systems on growth, carcass traits, oxidative stress biomarkers, and humoral immunity of broilers exposed to heat stress. Poultry Science, 99(6), 30703078. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.psj.2020.03.021
Adjetey. N. A., Atuahene, C. C., & Adjei, dM. B. (2014) Protein requirements for growing and laying indigenous guinea fowls (Numida meleagris) in the humid tropical zone of Ghana. Journal of Animal Science Advances 4(2), 722-731 http://www.ejmanager.com/mnstemps/72/72-1402302341.pdf
Ajibola, O. I., & Sonaiya, E. B. (2017). Effect of battery cage and pasture systems on egg production and quality parameters of laying eggs. In Proceedings of the 42nd Annual Conference of the Nigerian Society for Animal Production (NSAP) pp. 752755. March 2630, Landmark University, Omu-Aran, Nigeria. https://doi.org/10.51791/njap.vi.7907
Association of Official Analytical Chemists (AOAC) (2005) Official method of Analysis. 18th Edition, Association of Officiating Analytical Chemists, Washington DC, Method 935.14 and 992.24. https://doi.org/10.1002/0471740039.vec0284
Attia, A. I., Reda, F. M., Patra, A. K., Elnesr, S. S., Attia, Y. A., & Alagawany, M. (2021). Date (Phoenix dactylifera L.) by-products: Chemical composition, nutritive value and applications in poultry nutrition, an updating review. Animals, 11(4), 1133.
Ebegbulem V.N & Asuquo B.O, 2018. Growth performance and carcass characteristics of the black and pearl guinea fowl (Numida meleagris) and their crosses. Global Journal of Pure and Applied Sciences vol.24 No1(2018). https://doi.org/10.4314/gjpas,v24Ii.2
Englmaierov, M., Skivan, M., Taubner, T., Skivanov, V., & ermk, L. (2021). Effect of housing system and feed restriction on meat quality of medium-growing chickens. Poultry Science, 100(8), Article 101223. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.psj.2021.101223
Fonseca, D. C., Sala, P., Ferreira, B. A. M., Reis, J., Torrinhas, R. S., Bendavid, I., & Waitzberg, D. L. (2018). Body weight control and energy expenditure. Clinical Nutrition Experimental, 20, 5559. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.yclnex.2018.04.003
Gillies, N., & Siddiqi-Davies, K. (2025). Samesex partnerships in birds: A review of the current literature and a call for more data. Journal of Avian Biology, 2025(3). https://doi.org/10.1111/jav.03325
Google Inc. (2024). Google Earth 2024.
Haruna, M. A, Bello, K. O., Adeyemi, A. O. & Odunsi, A. A. Comparison of Conventional and Semi-Conventional Management Systems on the Performance and Carcass Yield of Broiler Chickens. Nigerian J. Anim. Sci. 2018, 20 (1): 81-87
Lehr, A. Raising guinea fowl: The ultimate guide. Grubbly Farms. https://grubblyfarms.com/blogs/the-flyer/raising-guinea-fowl-the-ultimate-guide (2024, January 31).
Li, Y., Luo, C.L., Wang, J. & Guo, F.Y. (2017). Effects of different raising systems on growth performance, carcass, and meat quality of medium-growing chickens. Journal of Applied Animal Research. 45 (2017), pp. 326-330
Mesa, D., Muniz, E., Souza, A., & Geffroy, B. (2017). Broiler-housing conditions affect the performance. Brazilian Journal of Poultry Science, 19, 263-272.
Neil Armitage. 2022. The complete A to Z of what Guinea fowl can eat.Published January 26, 2022. https://clucking.net/the-complete-a-to-z-of-what-guinea-fowl-can-eat-html
Nobo, G., Moreki, J. & Nsoso, S. (2012). Feed Intake, Body Weight, Average Daily Gain, Feed Conversion Ratio and Carcass Characteristics of Helmeted Guinea Fowl Fed Varying Levels of Phane Meal (Imbrasia belina) as Replacement of Fishmeal under Intensive System. International Journal of Poultry Science 11: 378.
NRC (1984). National Research Council. Nutrient Requirements of Poultry: Eighth Revised Edition, 1984. Washington, DC: The National Academies Press. https://doi.org/10.17226/19397.
Nsoso, S., Mareko, M. H. D. & Molelekwa, C. (2006). Comparison of growth and morphological parameters of guinea fowl (Numida meleagris) raised on concrete and earth floor finishes in Botswana. Livestock Research for Rural Development 18: 12. http:// Irrd.org/irr18/12/nsos18178.htm (accessed 26November 2011)
Oke, Oyegunle Emmanuel, Oso, Abimbola, Iyasere, Oluwaseun Serah, Adebowale, Tolulope, Akanji, Tolulope, Odusami, Odutola, Udehi, Sandra & Daramola, James Olamitibo. "Growth performance and physiological responses of helmeted guinea fowl (Numida meleagris) to different stocking densities in humid tropical environment" Agricultura Tropica et Subtropica, vol.53, no.1, 2020, pp.5-12. https://doi.org/10.2478/ats-2020-0001
Panda, P. C. (1998). Textbook on Egg and Poultry Technology. Vikas Publishing House, Delhi, India. 216pp.
Soara, A. E., Talaki, E., Dayo, G.-K., Oke, O. E., Belem, A. M. G., & Tona, K. (2020). Indigenous Guinea fowl (Numida meleagris) production in West Africa: Inventory, performances and constraints A review. European Poultry Science, 84, Article 303. https://doi.org/10.1399/eps.2020.303
Statistical Analysis System (SAS) Institute (2002) SAS/STAT Users Guide. Version 8, 6th Edition, SAS Institute, Cary, 112. NY
mieciska, K., Stpie, A., & Kubiak, D. (2022). Effect of variety and sex on the carcass and meat quality traits of guinea fowl (Numida meleagris L.). Animals, 12(21), 2916. https://doi.org/10.3390/ani12212916.
Tjetjoo, S. U., Moreki, J. C., & Madibela, O. R. (2022). Carcass characteristics of guinea fowl raised under intensive system and fed diets containing yellow maize, millet and white sorghum as energy sources. Open Journal of Animal Sciences, 12(2), Article 24. https://doi.org/10.4236/ojas.2022.122024
Tong, H.B., Cai, J., Lu, J., Wang, Q., Shao, D. & Zou. J.M. 2015. Effects of Outdoor Access Days on Growth Performance, Carcass Yield, Meat Quality, and Lymphoid Organ Index of a Local Chicken Breed, Poultry Science, Volume 94(6), Pp 1115-1121, ISSN 0035791, https://doi.org/10.3382/ps/pev032.
Van Marle-Koster, E., & Webb, E. C. (2000). Carcass characteristics of South African native chicken lines. South African Journal of Animal Science, 30(1), 5356. https://doi.org/10.4314/sajas.v30i1.3876
Vignal, A., Boitard, S., Thbault, N., Dayo, G. K., Yapi-Gnaore, V., Youssao Abdou Karim, I., Berthouly-Salazar, C., Plinks-Bodzsr, N., Gumen, D., Thibaud-Nissen, F., Warren, W. C., Tixier-Boichard, M., & Rognon, X. (2019). A guinea fowl genome assembly provides new evidence on evolution following domestication and selection in galliformes. Molecular Ecology Resources, 19(4), 9971014. https://doi.org/10.1111/1755-0998.13017.
Wang, G., Chen, J., Guo, Y., Chen, Y., et al. (2025). Effects of free-range systems on muscle fiber characteristics and welfare indicators in geese. Animals, 15(3), Article 304. https://doi.org/10.3390/ani15030304
Wang, G., Kim, W. K., Cline, M. A., & Gilbert, E. R. (2017). Factors affecting adipose tissue development in chickens: A review. Poultry Science, 96(10), 36873699. https://doi.org/10.3382/ps/pex184
Wegner, M., Kokoszyski, D., Kotowicz, M., & Krajewski, K. (2024). Effect of housing system on carcass composition, meat quality, digestive morphometry, and leg bone dimensions of Ross 308 parent broilers. Poultry Science, 103(3), Article 103384. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.psj.2023.103384
Yamak, U.S. , Sarica, M., Boz, M.A. & Car, A.U. (2016). The effect of the production system (barn and free-range), slaughtering age and gender on some carcass traits and meat quality of partridges (A. Chukar) British Poultry Science 57(2016): 185-192
Yamak, U.S., Sarica, M., Boz, M.A. & Car, A.U. (2018) Effect of the production system (barn and free range) and slaughter age on some production traits of guinea fowl. Poultry Science 97:4753
Ying, L., Chenglong, L., Wang, J., & Guo, F. (2017). Effects of different raising systems on growth performance, carcass, and meat quality of medium-growing chickens, Journal of Applied Animal Research, 45:1, 326-330, https://doi.org/10.1080/09712119.2016.119073
Copyright (c) 2025 FUDMA JOURNAL OF SCIENCES
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.
FUDMA Journal of Sciences
