World Journal of
Pharmaceutical and Life Sciences

EFFECT OF EGG SIZE ON REPRODUCTIVE AND PRODUCTION PERFORMANCE OF THE GUINEA FOWL: A REVIEW

Clement Gyeabour Kyere*, Korankye Okyere, Addison Duodu, Grace Twumasi, Philip Kwaku Dapaah and Asamoa-Bonsu Afua Sarpong

ABSTRACT

This study aimed at reviewing relevant literature on the effect of egg size on the performance of indigenous Guinea fowl in Ghana. The egg of a laying Guinea hen is the tool for reproduction and also serves as a source of food for humans. Egg size has been widely studied because it can be highly variable. Hatchability, hatching time, embryonic mortalities, keets weight at hatch and chick’s developmental performance at post hatch period are directly affected by hatching egg size. Guinea fowl breeding hens produce thicker shelled eggs in comparison to that of a chicken. An eggshell makes up 15 % of the total weight of the Guinea fowl egg which is 9 % of that of a chicken. The physical characteristics of the egg play an important role in the processes of embryo development and successful hatching. The size of the egg and internal quality of eggs are important for both table and hatching eggs. The nutrient content of Guinea fowl eggs and the weight of day-old keets depend on the size of the egg. Egg size has positive effect on the weight of keets and subsequent growth of Guinea fowl. The size of the egg positively influenced the overall performance of Guinea fowl. Hence, Guinea fowl producers and breeders must consider egg selection activities for higher productivity.

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