Effect of Egg Size on Reproductive Traits Keet Mortality and Growth Performance of the Pearl Guinea Fowl (Numida meleagris)

Abstract

This study was conducted to investigate the influence of egg size on fertility, hatchability, keets mortalities and growth performance of indigenous Guinea fowl in Ghana. The study was carried out for a period of two (2) months. One hundred and thirty five day-old keets hatched from three different egg size groups: Small (23-39 g); medium (40-42 g) and large (43-49 g) were used in a completely randomize design. Data collected were subjected to analysis of variance with the aid of GenStat version 11.1 (2008). The results from the present study showed that fertility and hatchability were significantly (P= .05) higher in medium size eggs and lower in small size eggs. The cumulative mortality and percentage mortality rates during the experimental period were significantly (P= .05) higher in small size eggs and lower in medium size eggs. Number of survival and percentage survivability significantly (P= .05) increased with an increase in the size of the eggs. Egg size had significant (P= .05) effect on all growth parameters measured. Initial body weight, final body weight, body weight gain, daily weight gain, total feed intake and daily feed intake significantly (P= .05) increased with increasing egg size. Feed efficiency significantly increased (P= .05) with decreasing egg size. It was concluded that medium size eggs had higher fertility and hatchability. Number of survival and percentage survivability increased with increasing egg size. Initial body weight, final body weight, body weight gain, daily weight gain, total feed intake and daily feed intake increased with increasing egg size. Feed conversion ratio decreased with increasing egg size.