Body Mass and Conformation Traits in Four Breeds of Guinea Fowl

The records for body mass at one day, one, four, twelve, sixteen, twenty, twenty four weeks of age and conformation traits (Shank length, shank diameter, keel length, breast angle) at four, twelve, sixteen, twenty, and twenty four weeks of age were collected from 114 guinea fowl. There were highly significant differences in body mass between breeds and a significant difference between sexes from 4 weeks of age up to 20 weeks of age. At 24 weeks of age the difference in body mass was significant for breeds but not significant for sex. All the conformation trait measurements were higher for males than for females. A steady increase in shank length, shank diameter and keel length was observed from the 4th to the 20th week of age in all the breeds and sexes. During the study greater average breast measurement angles were recorded for females than males.