Sexual Dimorphism in Growth Traits, blood parameters and Protein Polymorphism of Adult Helmeted Guinea fowl (Numidia meleagris) from Kwara State, Nigeria

Abstract

Phenotypic and biochemical characterization are useful tools necessary for genetic improvement and continuous breeding of available poultry species. This study characterized one hundred and twenty (120) adult guinea fowl found in Kwara State Nigeria based on sex using quantitative traits, blood parameters and protein polymorphism. The results revealed that males were 40% significantly (p<0.05) bigger in bodyweight value than their female counterparts while the female studied had a higher value in Wing length compared to the male (16.12 vs 15.86). The values obtained for blood parameters were within the normal range reported for guinea fowl with a higher total cholesterol value obtained for female than their male counterparts (216.25 vs. 193.88). The frequency distribution of haemoglobin types were 25, 62.5 and 12.5% for AA, AB and BB for male guinea fowl, the female studied had no AA with 75 and 25% for AB and BB, respectively. This study showed that there is variation in body weight and some growth and blood parameters as well as the haemoglobin types among the Guinea fowl studied, indicating room for future genetic improvement.