Effect of Shea Caterpillar (Cirina butyrospermi) Meal on the Production and Reproductive Performance of Pearl Guinea Fowl (Numida meleagris).

Abstract

A search for an alternative protein source as a replacement for fish meal continues to be vital for promotion of poultry production. This study was conducted to determine the impact of dietary shea caterpillar meal (SCM) as replacement for fish meal on production and reproductive performance of Guinea fowl. A total of 75 Guinea fowl of age 25 weeks old and comprising 60 Guinea hens and 15 Guinea cocks were used for the study. There were 5 treatments with 3 replicates each in a completely randomized design. Each replicate had 4 Guinea hens and 1 Guinea cock. Performance indicators measured included feed and water intake, hen-day egg production (HDEP), follicular development, fertility, hatchability, keet morphometric traits and haematology. Data collected were subjected to analysis of variance using the Genstat version 12. Results obtained showed that feed and water intake decreased as the dietary SCM was increased. HDEP was relatively better for the control and least production was observed with SCM 100% diet. Follicular development for SCM diets (75%-100% rate) was late maturing relative to the control and SCM 25% and 50%. Whereas fertility was significantly influenced by the dietary treatments, hatchability values recorded were comparable among dietary treatments. Morphometric traits on the keets were impacted by the dietary treatments. Haematological characteristics were not influenced by dietary treatments. It was concluded that higher levels of the SCM (>50%) may be counterproductive to the reproductive indicators measured. A higher nutrient content of SCM and observed reduced performance at higher level of SCM suggest a deficiency in nutrient content or an impaired digestibility of the SCM. It is recommended that the SCM is incorporated in the diets of Guinea fowl at a level not exceeding 50% replacement of the fish meal in order not to compromise production and reproduction performance. Further studies involving digestibility trial is suggested to elucidate nutritional challenges of SCM.