Poultry, Fisheries & Wildlife Sciences
Open Access

Abstract

Statistical Modeling of Body Weight and Body Linear Measurements of the French Broiler Guinea Fowl in the Humid Tropics of Nigeria

Dzungwe JT, Gwaza DS and Egahi JO

This study was conducted to determine the relationship between body weight and body linear parameters of the French broiler guinea fowl (FBGF) raised in the humid tropics of Nigeria, and to establish an equation for predicting body weight of the FBGF using body linear parameters. A total of 86 FBGFs were used for the study. The birds were managed intensively for 38 weeks before measurements were taken on the birds. Body weight was taken using a sensitive digital weighing scale. Body biometrics-shank length, thigh length, keel length, chest circumference, body length and wing length were measured using a flexible measuring tape. Data were subjected to statistical package for analysis. The correlations between body weight and body linear measurements were determined using Pearson’s product moment correlation coefficient (r). Data were also subjected to simple and multiple regression analysis. Correlations between body weight and body linear measurements were positive and significant (P<0.01). The values for coefficient of determination (R2) ranged from 0.2% to 19.5% with shank length showing the highest R2 value. This implies that shank length could be the best predictor of body weight of the French broiler guinea fowl. The predictive equations showed that there was a significant (P<0.01) relationship between body weight and body linear measurements. R2 values observed in this study shows that the predictive equations could be used to predict body weight accurately using the simple regression model.