Some production traits and egg quality characteristics of different varieties of guinea fowl hens

Egg quality characteristics and some production traits of different varieties of guinea fowl hens (Lavender, Pearl and White) were investigated. Fifteen healthy adult female and male from the same hatch having nearly similar body weight from each variety of guinea fowl were used. Various production traits like body weight, age at sexual maturity, average egg production, total egg production, laying and nonlaying hens, fertility and hatchability were examined. No significant difference was found in body weight between different varieties of guinea fowl and between sexes. Between the verities, the ratio of egg weight: body weight varied from 2.70 to 2.77%. Age at sexual maturity was 278±21, 272±19 and 274±31 days in Lavender, Pearl and White, respectively. Egg production/bird by the age of 62 wk was nearly same in all the varieties (72–75 eggs). Irrespective of varieties, on set of egg lay was recorded around 39 wks of age. In all the varieties, peak egg production was observed between 46–48 wk of age, however, no significant difference was recorded among the varieties. At the end of study (62 wks), approximately 50 to 59% birds were involved in egg production. Lavender and Pearl expressed nearly 10–12% more fertile eggs than White variety. Egg hatchability appeared to be similar among the different varieties. The shape indices were nearly similar among the three verities of guinea fowl. The shell thickness and shell weight of the guinea fowl eggs were significantly different in all the three verities during the first 16 days after the onset egg production. No significant difference was noticed among the varieties in albumen weight, yolk weight and egg shell weight. However, these parameters along with egg weight increased significantly (P<0.05) during 10–12 days from the onset of egg production. No difference (P>0.05) was recorded in albumen index, yolk index and haugh unit in the eggs from three varieties of guinea fowl. It may be concluded that all the three varieties of guinea fowl have similar production (except fertility) traits and egg quality characteristics. This is the preliminary study on guinea fowl that need further investigation to strengthen the results.