Nutritive and economic value of guinea fowl (Numida meleagris) production in developing countries

Eighty broiler guineafowls (Numida meleagris) and 80 broiler chickens (Gallus gallus domesticus) were raised from 1 day old to 12 weeks on the same starter and finisher diets. Weight gain, feed consumption, feed efficiency, cost of production, nutritive quality and mortality were compared between the two types of bird. It was found that the broiler chickens consumed nearly twice as much feed, gained more than twice as much weight and had significantly (P < 0.01)better feed efficiency than the guineafowl. It cost significantly (P < 0.01)less to produce a kilogram of flesh from the broiler chickens than from the guineafowls. However, the guineafowl carcass excelled in nutritive quality. It had significantly (P < 0.05)more protein and ash, particularly calcium and phosphorus. The fat content of the guineafowl carcass was significantly (P < 0.05)less than that of the chickens. Mortality was less for the guineafowl than for the chickens.