GROWTH PERFORMANCE, HAEMATOLOGY AND HISTOLOGY OF GUINEA FOWL FED DIFFERENT DIETARY PROTEIN LEVELS

Guinea fowl (Numida meleagris) output in Africa is still in its early stages, and there is a paucity of data on these birds' crude protein requirements. The goal of this research was to investigate the effect of different dietary protein levels on the growth, hematological, and histological parameters of these birds. One hundred unsexed indigenous guinea keets were assigned randomly into three treatments, each of which was reproduced three times in a Completely Randomize Design (CRD) with twelve birds in each replicate. The birds were administered experimental diets that contained T1 (22 percent), T2 (24 percent) and T3 (26 percent crude protein) respectively. This study took place over the course of 13 weeks. All data collated were analyzed using GENSTAT Release 8.1 software program. The results showed that birds fed 24 percent crude protein gained the most body weight (619.83) and had the highest significant FCR (3.45). The crude protein level in the treatments recorded a significant (P<0.05) impact on most prime cut and carcass trait. However, the crude protein, had no statistically significant (P>0.05) impact on GIT WT, head weight, dress percentage and organ yield. Furthermore, it was discovered that the quantity of crude protein in the diet had no influence (P>0.05) on the organs weight at all treatments in the results for organs weight evaluation. All the parameters (Ash, CP, EE and CF) for apparent digestibility were significant (P<0.05). Packet cell volume, haemoglobin, MCV, MCH, Platelet, Lymphocytes and Eosiniphils were significantly (P<0.05) influence by crude protein levels. The varied levels of crude protein however, had no significant (P>0.05) effect on red blood cells, white blood cells, or neutrophils. The crop, gizzard, heart, and proventriculus exhibited no abnormalities in all treatments, demonstrating that the crude proteins had no negative impact on the birds' health. The intestine and lungs showed no abnormalities in T3, whereas T1 and T2 displayed epithelial desquamation and mild pulmonary edema. The research discovered that optimum crude protein boosted body weight gain and carcass yield in these birds. Farmers can feed meals containing 24 percent crude protein and manage their flocks efficiently for maximum yield. Key words: Guinea fowl, crude protein, haematology, histology.