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Performance Indices and Physiological Changes in Pearl Guinea Fowls (Numida Meleagris) Supplemented with Molasses through Drinking Water
Authors: Buhari Habibu, Nizam Mustapha Ikira, Moses Ibrahim, Hajarah Uwale Buhari, Abdullahi Abdullahi, Muhammed Abdul Ibrahim, Mohammed Umar Kawu
Number of views: 25
The study was aimed at evaluating the performance indices and physiological changes in pearl
guinea fowls (Numida meleagris) supplemented with molasses through drinking water. A total of thirty-two
(n=32) day-old pearl guinea fowls raised to 12-week-old were used for the study. The fowls were randomly
allocated to two groups (control and experimental) of 16 fowls each, with each having two replicates.
Experimental fowls were given 5 mL molasses per liter of drinking water for 8 weeks, while control fowls were
given only drinking water. Performance indices which include: feed consumption, water intake and percentage
weight gain were measured. Rectal temperature was measured and blood samples were collected to evaluate
the changes in haematological parameters, serum triiodo thyronine (T3) and thyroxine (T4) concentrations.
Results revealed that the molasses-treated fowls had significantly (P<0.05) higher percentage weight gain,
blood total protein, packed cell volume and mean corpuscular volume compared to control. However, the feed
consumption was significantly lower (P<0.05) in the molasses-treated fowls compared to control. In both
groups, rectal temperature increased significantly (P<0.05) during the afternoon hours and was lower (P<0.05)
in molasses-treated fowls than control during the evening hours. There was no significant difference in other
haematological parameters, serum glucose,T4 and T3betweengroups.In conclusion, molasses supplementation
decreased feed consumption, improved body weight gain and enhanced nutritional status and erythropoiesis
in guinea fowls.