Bone Development in Guinea Fowl Fed Diets Containing Three Cereal Grains as Sources of Energy up to 12 Weeks of Age

The effects of three cereal grains on bone development of guinea fowl up to 12 weeks of age were investigated. A total of 240 day old keets were randomly assigned to four treatment groups each having four replicates. The four treatments comprised experimental diets consisting of yellow maize or sorghum or millet as energy sources and commercial broiler diets as control. The first three treatments were formulated according to Botswana standards for guinea fowl. Keets were fed two isocaloric and isonitrogenous diets: starter (0-6 weeks) and grower (6-12 weeks). At 6 and 12 weeks of age, 5 birds from each replicate were randomly selected and sacrificed by cervical dislocation and tibiae (left and right) and right humeri from each bird excised. Parameters studied were bone dimensions (e.g., bone length, bone width, bone weight) and bone chemical composition (ash, Ca, P, Fe, Mg, Zn). The results showed that all bone dimensions were significantly (P < 0.0001, 0.0042) influenced by dietary treatment. Significant interaction was noted for tibia and humeri weight. Calcium, P, Mg and Zn were influenced by dietary treatment while Fe and ash contents were not. Significant (P < 0.05) interaction occurred for bone ash, Ca, P, Mg and Zn contents. It seems that bone development in guinea fowl up to 12 weeks was enhanced by feeding millet than other cereals.