Production Performance, Hormonal Levels, Organ and Biochemical Indexes of Guinea Fowls Fed Varied Levels of Dietary Crude Protein

Feeding Guinea fowl with the right nutrient and high feeding cost has been a major challenge for Guinea fowl farmers in recent times. However, feeding Guinea fowls with low protein diet affects growth performance and reproductive performance. To explore alternatives, a study was conducted to assess the effect of varied dietary crude protein levels on production, hormonal levels and serum immunoglobulin’s of Guinea fowls raised in hot humid environment. This investigation used eighty (80) day-old keets and lasted for 24 weeks. The birds were grouped into four treatments and each treatment had thirty birds. The birds were fed with diets containing 16, 18, 20 and 22 % CP in a completely randomized design. Body weight, weight gain and daily weight were better among birds fed 22 % CP diet followed by 20 and 18 % CP diets and poorer among birds on 16 % CP diet. Total and daily feed consumption decreased (P=0.001) with increasing CP levels in the diet. This study finding revealed that, feed conversion ratio was better with increasing crude protein levels in the diet. Follicle stimulating hormone, luteinizing hormone, oestrogen, prolactin and testosterone levels in the blood significantly (P < 0.05) increased with increasing dietary crude protein levels. Immunoglobulin’s A and G significantly (P < 0.05) decreased with decreasing levels of dietary crude protein. This study concludes that, decreasing crude protein levels in the diet of Guinea fowl decreased growth, hormonal production, organ and immune capacity.