Research Article Fertility and Hatchability Characteristics of Two Varieties of Guinea Fowl Fed Commercial Layers Mash Odukwe C.N and Onunkwo D.N College of Animal Science and Animal Production, Michael Okpara University of Agriculture Umudike. PMB 7267, Umuahia. Abia State. Nigeria. Coresponding Author: donunkwo1@gmail.com, +2348033388622 Accepted March 30 th , 2016 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- ABSTRACT A study was carried out to investigate the fertility and hatchability characteristics of two varieties of guinea fowl fed top layer mash containing 18% cp and 2700 kcal/kg. At about 43- weeks of age (WOA), Forty-eight adult guinea fowls from two varieties of guinea, comprising 24 from each of pearl and lavender, were selected and used for this experiment at the ratio of 1:5 for male and females respectively. Each variety was replicated 4 times in a Completely Randomized Design (CRD) and each replicate contained 6 birds. Data were collected for Number of eggs set, number of infertile eggs, number of eggs hatched, number of dead embryo, number of peeped keets, number of watery eggs, fertility, hatchability and percent hatch. All data collected were analyzed using t-test statistic in SPSS 2015, v. 20. The results showed that the pearl variety revealed superior performance as it recorded lower number of dead embryo (1.19), lower number of watery eggs, higher number of eggs hatched (1.75), higher hatchability (50.00%) and percent hatch (27.82 %) compared to the values 1.29, 0.79, 1.21, 34.66% and 19.24% obtained respectively for these parameters in the lavender variety. The lavender variety recorded lower (P<0.05) number of infertile eggs compared to the pearl variety. This lower number of infertile egg did not however translate to significantly higher fertility percent when compared to the pearl variety. In conclusion commercial layers mash of 18% CP and 2700 kcal/kg can be used more on the pearl variety for better hatchability result. Key words: Fertility, Hatchability, Guinea Fowl, Layers Mash, Completely Randomized Design -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- INTRODUCTION Guinea fowl (Numidameleagris) has wide distribution in Africa where it has distinct population among small holder farmers (Nwagu and Alawa, 1995). Its attractive plumage and value as a table bird with game type flavour and high meat to bone ratio has led to its worldwide acceptance (Embury, 2001). The birds are semi domesticated; thrive under semi-captive conditions in hot and cool climates. They are relatively disease-free and need little special care. Guinea fowl can be kept for meat and egg productions (Smith, 2001). There are hardly any cultural barriers against consumption of guinea fowl products (Saina et al., 2005). The meat of guinea fowl is served extensively in hotels and restaurants because of its wild game flavor (Feltwell, 1992). Guinea fowl can be raised under both intensive and extensive management systems (Nsoso et al., 2006). The pearl is by far the most common variety and has purplish-gray feathers regularly dotted or “pearled” with white (Ayorinde, 1987). The pearl has percentage fertility (53%) and hatchability at (87%); Lavender has percentage fertility 50% and hatchability of 81% as reported by Ayorinde (1987). According to Singh (1990), guinea fowl hens produce about 100-120 eggs annually. Laying is distinctly seasonal; it starts when day length and ambient temperature – starts increasing (March/April) and continues till environmental temperature and day            !"!# $  % &#"" % &#"" % &#"" % &#""’"(( ’"(( ’"(( ’"(( http://www.sci-africpublishers.org