Growth Performance of Guinea Fowl Keets Fed Graded Levels of Baobab Seed Cake Diets

Abstract

The effect of feeding graded levels of baobab seed cake on the growth performance of guinea fowl keets was evaluated. The inclusion levels of baobab seed cake in the diets were 0, 5, 10 and 15%. Observations on feed consumption, live weight and mortality were made weekly for each replicate. Feed intake and body weight gain of keets were high in birds fed control and 5 % baobab seed cake diets and they both increased with age (P < 0.05). Although, there was no clear trend observed across diets, keets' feed conversion ratio decreased with age from week 1 to 5 (P < 0.05). Mortality was highest in week 6 (P < 0.05). It was concluded that baobab seed cake can be included in guinea fowl keets diets up to 5% without compromising growth performance. Further research should evaluate the effects of high baobab seed cake inclusion levels in adult guinea fowl diets and other poultry species.