Relative economic value estimates of Guinea fowl (Numida meleagris) production traits

The high demand for the Guinea fowl meat and products due to its delicacy, demands improvement in the bird to meet consumer needs. The inability to develop breeding goals to improve the Guinea fowl in Africa is as a result of limited information on the relative economic values of traits in the bird. This study was carried out to estimate the relative economic values of body weight, survival, reproduction, feed intake, growth rate and docility in the Guinea fowl. Average values from secondary data were used in estimating the relative economic values of the Guinea fowl traits. Data were analysed using computer simulation models in Microsoft Excel spreadsheet of Windows 10. When genetic standard deviation was used in estimating the relative economic values, body weight (55.45%) and reproduction (25.28%) emerged as the most important traits that contributed to the profit of the farmer. Similar magnitudes and directions were maintained (52.35% and 26.07%) for body weight and reproduction traits respectively as the most important traits when medication was set to zero. It was concluded from the study that, hen-day egg production and growth rate were the most important traits that contributed highly to profit. It was recommended that growth rate and reproduction traits should be included in the breeding goals of Guinea fowl breeding for improved profitability.