ABSTRACT
A comparative study of growth (Body weight and linear body measurements; Neck length, Body length, Thigh length, Shank length and Breast width) and seasonal influence on some reproductive hormones (luteinizing hormone (LH), progesterone (P4) and estradiol (E2) and egg production in two strains of guinea fowl (Belgie and Pearl) was conducted at the Poultry Unit, Teaching and Research Farm of the Department of Animal Science, Faculty of Agriculture, Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, Kaduna State. Body weight and linear body measurements were taken biweekly from 16 weeks to 28 weeks of age. The year was classified into four seasons; late dry (January, February and March); early rain (April, May and June); late rain (July, August and September) and early dry (October, November and December). Level of reproductive hormones and egg production were assessed in each season. There was a significant (P<0.05) strain effect on body weight throughout the experimental period, mean body weight ranged from 488.13 ± 8.84 to 1057 ± 9.3g and 309.35 ± 7.4 to 782.86 ± 7.16g in Belgie and Pearl strains, respectively. There was also significant (P<0.05) difference in linear body measurements at different ages with Belgie having the highest value in all the parameters measured. Season had significant (P<0.05) effect on hormonal level with highest figure obtained in the late rainy season. Means for the hormonal assay in the late rainy season were LH-4.670 ± 0.25, P4- 1.390 ± 0.11, E2- 2.000 ± 0.2 and LH- 5.060 ± 0.2, P4- 1.970 ± 0.08 and E2- 1.860 ± 0.19 in Belgie and Pearl, respectively. There was no egg production in season one; late dry. Total egg produced during the late rainy season was significantly (P<0.05) higher than what was produced in the other seasons in the two strains. Correlation coefficients for body weight and linear body measurements were positive and high in Belgie; BDL 0.804, BRW 0.955, NKL 0.765, THL 0.857, SHL 0.826 while in Pearl, they were positive and high in breast width 0.903, thigh length 0.884 and neck length 0.892 but low in back length 0.268 and shank length 0.252. ii Correlation coefficients for season and hormones were positive and high during the late rainy season; LH 0.546, P4 0.771, E2 0.828 while that of season and egg number was positive and low. Belgie strain can be improved upon for better growth traits while Pearl for better egg production trait.
