Evaluation of the Optimal Calcium and Phosphorus Requirements of the Pearl Grey Guinea Fowl

Evaluation of the Optimal Calcium and Phosphorus Requirements of the Pearl Grey Guinea Fowl (under the direction of DR. SAMUEL NAHASHON.) The optimum levels of calcium and available phosphorus (AP) needed for optimum performance of the Pearl Grey guinea fowl (PGGF) replacement pullets and laying hens were evaluated. In a 3 x 4 factorial arrangement of dietary treatments, with four replications, birds were randomly assigned to the dietary treatments comprising three AP levels (0.32%, 0.40% and 0.48%) and four calcium levels (0.6%, 0.8%, 1.0% and 1.2%). The diets were fed ad libitum for fifteen weeks and the experimental birds were evaluate for feed consumption (FC), feed conversion ratio (FCR), body weight gain (BWG), bone breaking strength, and bone ash. In a 2 x 3 factorial arrangement of dietary treatments, with four replications, 240 PGGF hens were fed diets containing two AP levels (0.35% and 0.40%) and three calcium levels (2.75%, 3.25%, and 3.75%). The diets were fed for six consecutive 28-day periods during which egg production (EP), egg specific gravity, internal egg quality and FCR were measured. Experimental birds were provided water and feed ad libitum. The PGGF replacement pullets utilized more efficiently diets containing 1.0% calcium and 0.40% AP with a Ca: P ratio of 2.5:1 from hatch to 8 WOA. At 9-11 WOA, these pullets utilized more efficiently diets containing 1.0% calcium and 0.32% AP with a Ca: P ratio of 3:1 depicting a higher demand for calcium. At 12-15 WOA, these pullets demonstrated better response to diets comprising 0.8% calcium with 0.40% AP with a Ca: P ratio of 2.1. Therefore, it is recommended that guinea fowl replacement pullets are fed diets with a Ca: P ratio of 2.5:1 to 3:1 during the exponential growth phase after which the Ca: P ration should be maintained at 2:1. There were no significant differences (P\u3e0.05) in EP, egg weight, egg mass or FCR of birds fed the 2.75, 3.25 and 3.75% calcium diets, and diets containing either 0.35% or 0.40% AP. However, PGGF hens fed diets containing either 3.25 or 3.75% calcium or either 0.35% or 0.40% AP had superior egg shell quality. This will provide efficient utilization of these nutrients and minimize feeding cost and environmental pollution