FACTORS AFFECTING PRODUCTIVE PERFORMANCE OF GUINEA FOWL: A REVIEW

Abstract

Background. Guinea fowl (Numida meleagris) is used as an alternative for the production of meat with high nutritional value; however, there are several factors that affect their productive performance. Objective. Review the main factors that affect the productive performance of the guinea fowl described in the worldwide literature. Methodology. A bibliographic review in the databases of Scopus, NCBI, Springer, Science direct, Google Scholar, Redalyc, and other repositories was carried out. The keywords for the search were: Guinea fowl, Numida meleagris, productive performance and body weight gain. Results. The production system is one of the main factors that affect the productive performance of the Guinea fowl. Birds raised in semi-intensive conditions have better weight gains compared to those that are kept under an extensive system. Mortality in the extensive system increases due to poor or no disease prevention practices and natural predators. The increase in population density under intensive management conditions negatively affects the performance and welfare of Guinea fowl. Ignorance of the energy and protein requirements causes a deficient productive performance in weight gains. Genetic factors also play a role; in Africa local varieties that have not been genetically improved are bred in extensive systems obtaining low yields, compared to developing countries. Birds hatch from large eggs with shorter storage periods had better growth performance. Implications. There is limited information on the main aspects related to the raising of the Guinea fowl, including the factors that affect its productive performance. Ignorance of the productive parameters favors the displacement of Guinea fowl production by other poultry species, such as chicken. Conclusions. Breeding the Guinea fowl as an alternative for meat and egg production must be accompanied by the disclosure of productive parameters to improve their production performance.