Characterisation of indigenous helmeted guinea fowls in Nigeria for meat and egg production

SUMMARY

There is increasing interest in sustainable poultry production in developing economies. This review provides an insight into guinea fowl production in Nigeria as a means of additional high-quality poultry meat and egg production. Under the smallholder scavenging system, flock size of the four investigated plumages (Pearl, Lavender, Black and White) of indigenous helmeted guinea fowl in Nigeria typically ranges from 6 to 9 birds per household, 14-week mean live weight from 917 to 975 g, dressed weight at this age from 700 to 737 g and dressing percentage from 74 to 76%. Under the backyard system of production, mean egg number is typically about 80 eggs per hen/annum while under intensive management it can be up to 147 eggs per hen/annum and egg weight from 29 to 38 g. Under smallholder conditions, hatchability of fertile eggs can range from 70 to 86% while under improved housing and rearing conditions it can be as high as 89%. The present information could be exploited in formulating appropriate management strategies and breeding decisions for sustainable production of hybrid improved guinea fowls, thereby contributing to food security in Nigeria.

KEYWORDS:

• Guinea fowl
• meat yield
• eggs
• improvement
• Nigeria

Acknowledgements

The study received financial assistance from the Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFUND) of the Federal Republic of Nigeria through the grant no TEF/DR&D/CE/NRF/UNI/ABEOKUTA/STI/VOL.1

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).

Additional information

Funding

This work was supported by the Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFUND), Federal Republic of Nigeria, Abuja [TEF/DR&D/CE/NRF/UNI/ABEOKUTA/STI/VOL.1].

Notes on contributors

A. J. Shoyombo

Ayoola Shoyombo is a Senior Lecturer of Animal Breeding and Genetics at Landmark University (LMU), Omu-Aran, Kwara State, Nigeria.

A. Yakubu

Abdulmojeed Yakubu is a full Professor of Animal Breeding and Genetics at Nasarawa State University, Keffi (NSUK), Shabu-Lafia Campus, Lafia, Nigeria.  He has wealth of experience in quantitative genetics, molecular genetics and diagnostics, genomics, bioinformatics and biometrics.

A. O. Adebambo

Ayotunde Adebambo is a full Professor of Animal Genetics and Biotechnology at the Federal University of Agriculture, Abeokuta (FUNAAB), Nigeria. His main field of research is Animal Breeding and Genetics.

O. A. Olafadehan

Olurotimi Olafadehan is a full Professor of Animal Nutrition and Production at the University of Abuja, Nigeria. He has expertise in Livestock Production and Nutrition including  the interplay between Nutrition and Physiology.

M. Wheto

Mathew Wheto is a Senior Lecturer of Animal Biotechnology at the Federal University of Agriculture, Abeokuta (FUNAAB), Nigeria.

O. O. Alabi

Olayinka Olubunmi Alabi is currently a Senior Lecturer of  Animal Nutrition at Landmark University (LMU), Omu-Aran, Kwara State, Nigeria.

H. O. Osaiyuwu

Osamede Henry Osaiyuwu is a Senior Lecturer of  Animal Breeding and Genetics at the University of Ibadan, Ibadan, Nigeria.

C. I. Ukim

Comfort Ukim is an Animal Nutritionist and currently an Assistant Chief Research Officer at TETFund, Abuja, Nigeria.

A. Olayanju

Adeniyi Olayanju is a full Professor of Agricultural Engineering and the current Vice-Chancellor of  Landmark University (LMU), Omu-Aran, Kwara State, Nigeria.

O. A. Adebambo

Oluwafunmilayo Ayoka Adebambo is a renowned  Emeritus Professor of Animal Genetics, Breeding and Biotechnology at the Federal University of Agriculture, Abeokuta (FUNAAB), Nigeria.