Genetic and Phenotypic Correlations between Characteristics in Local Guinea Fowl in Ghana

Abstract

This study aimed at estimating genetic and phenotypic correlations among traits in local Guinea fowl in Ghana. Animal farm of Akenten Appiah-Menka University of Skills Training and Entrepreneurial Development Mampong-Ashanti campus was where the study took place, from 2015 to 2018. Data for the experiment was obtained from keets made up of 300 males and 300 females. Parents of the keets consisted of 110 dams and 22 sires. Arithmetic method and Pearson’s product moment correlation were used for the estimates. In male Guinea fowl, the values of genetic correlations among growth characteristics ranged from -0.63 to 0.93. Between growth and other characteristics, estimates of genetic correlation ranged from 0.29 to 0.97, -0.67 to 0.43, -0.62 and 0.94 respectively. Values of phenotypic correlations among growth parameters were between -0.32 and 0.49. Range of figures of phenotypic correlations recorded between growth characteristics and survival, docility, and dressing percentage were between -0.28 and 0.28, -0.46 and 0.18, and -0.41 and 0.36 correspondently. In female Guinea fowl on the other hand, range of genetic correlations among growth traits was between -0.80 and 0.95. Range of figures of genetic correlation between growth traits and survival, docility, dressing percentage and reproductive characteristics of were from -0.47 to 0.9, -0.52 to 0.58, -0.58 to 0.82 and -0.59 to 0.9 respectively. The values of phenotypic correlations among growth characteristics fell between -0.39 and 0.46.  Phenotypic correlations recorded between growth traits and survival, docility, dressing percentage and reproductive characteristics were from -0.26 to 0.47, -0.47 to 0.19, -0.35 to0.47 and -0.33 to 0.47 respectively. Values of genetic correlations higher than one (1) among some traits in male Guinea fowl were recorded. To conclude, discoveries of this study are in general agreement of what pertains to Guinea fowl and other farm livestock species.