Influence of Season and Day Length on Production and Reproductive Traits and Egg Characteristics of the Guinea Fowl (Numida meleagris)

Abstract

Aims: This study was conducted to determine the influence of season and day length on production traits, egg characteristics, fertility and hatchability of laying Guinea fowls (Numida meleagris).
 Study Design: Factorial design was used for the study.
 Place and Duration of Study: The study was conducted at the Poultry Unit of the Department of Animal Science Education, University of Education, Winneba, Ghana, Mampong campus from September, 2015 to December, 2016.
 Methodology: Four (4) hens and one (1) male per replicate and fifteen (15) per treatment were each subjected to 12 hours of artificial light and 12 hours of darkness (12L:12D), 14hours of artificial light and 10 hours of darkness (14L:10D), 16hours of artificial light and 8 hours of darkness (16L:8D) and 18hours of artificial light and 6 hours of darkness (18L:6D). Each group was replicated three times and reared in three seasons (Dry-December-March, Major rains-April-July and Minor rains-August-November) in a 3x4 factorial experiment. Data were analyzed using General Linear Model procedure of SAS.
 Results: Results showed that egg weight, hen-day egg production and egg mass increased (P= .05) with increasing day length. Similar results were observed for yolk height, yolk weight and albumin height. Most production traits, egg characteristics, fertility and hatchability attained the highest (P= .05) value in the major rainy season.
 Conclusion: It was concluded that day length of 14-16 hours is sufficient for improved laying performance and that breeding cycles should be planned to coincide with the major rainy season.

Effect of different lighting regime on growth and reproductive performance of the Guinea fowl (Numida meleagris)

“…This indicates that there is the need for local farmers to increase the productivity of the bird. The performance of the bird can be improve through good management practices such as day length management, nutrition, suitable Guinea fowl production systems among others [4].…”

“…Globally, poultry birds are reared in a variety of production systems which include outdoor enclosures that basically utilize natural climatic conditions, production house of various sizes and constructions that have little to extensive control over light and other environmental factors [6]. Increased in environmental complexity in poultry production and management is recognized as a means to achieve maximum productivity of Guinea fowl meat and eggs which also aim to resolve welfare concerns [4].…”

“…The major constrains to Guinea fowl production are poor nutrition, egg size, changes in day length and poor management practices [4,7]. Differences in day length across the three different seasons in Ghana are single out as the major hindrance affecting Guinea fowl productivity.…”

“…Guinea fowls are known to be seasonal breeders and therefore, their productivity depends on proper nutrition and day length. For instance, considering egg laying, Guinea hens do not lay eggs during shorter day length observed in some seasons in the year [4,8]. According to Lien et al [9] the production and reproductive performance of commercial layer birds is influence by day length.…”

“…According to Lien et al [9] the production and reproductive performance of commercial layer birds is influence by day length. In Guinea fowl production, light is one of the most influential microclimatic factors which enhance growth, physiological functioning and reproductive performance [4]. Light plays an important role in the physiological and behavioural processes in Guinea fowls and other poultry species.…”