Adenoviral pancreatitis in guinea fowl (Numida meleagris)

Necrotizing pancreatitis was observed in 2-week-old Guinea fowl submitted for necropsy and histopathology. Intranuclear inclusion bodies seen histologically in acinar epithelium were examined by electron microscopy and found to contain viruses resembling adenovirus. Adenovirus was isolated in embryonated eggs from the pancreata of affected birds. The adenovirus isolated was not neutralized by chicken antisera developed against 10 known serotypes of group 1 avian adenoviruses.     

Helminths of guinea fowl (Numida meleagris) in Bashkir ASSR

Guinea fowl from different regions of Bashkir Autonomous Soviet Socialist Republic (BASSR) were examined for helminths. Of the 547 fowl examined, 451 (82.4%) harboured at least one species of helminth. A total of 56,772 helminths were collected and classified. Of this number seven were found to be trematodes, 25 cestodes and 56,740 nematodes. Five species of helminths were identified. Amongst infected birds, trematodes were present in three (0.7%), cestodes in eight (1.8%) and nematodes in 451 (100%). Of all recorded helminths, the incidence of Heterakis gallinarum (Gmelin, 1790) was highest. Pre-patent periods for seven species of trematodes were observed in guinea fowl for the first time.     

A seminoma in a monorchid guinea fowl (Numida meleagris)

A case of seminoma in a monorchid adult guinea fowl (Numida meleagris) is described. Grossly, a right enlarged testis, which was soft in consistency, and white to pale in colour with few spots of haemorrhages was observed. Histologically, the testicle revealed diffusely spread sheets of tumour cells. The cells were large pleomorphic with eccentrically placed hyperchromic nuclei. Mitotic figures were evident. A scanty fibrous stroma, containing lymphocytes and histiocytes, separating the groups of tumour cells, along with few areas of haemorrhages were observed. Occurrence of seminoma in guinea fowl is unusual and hence reported.     

Studies on the response of guinea fowls (Numida meleagris) to antibiotics

1. The response of growing male guinea fowls to dietary supplements of oxytetracycline, Roxarsone and zinc bacitracin were investigated. 2. The antibiotics produced significant increases in body weight, efficiency of food utilisation and nitrogen retention in guinea fowls at 12 weeks of age. 3. Carcase protein was not affected by antibiotic supplementation but carcase dry matter and fat were significantly higher in guinea fowls receiving medicated food than in controls. 4. The results show that the growth rate of guinea fowls is significantly increased by similar inclusion rates of oxytetracycline, Roxarsone and zinc bacitracin as those generally recommended for broiler chickens.     

The strength of guinea fowl (Numida meleagris) egg shells

The strength of guinea fowl egg shells has been studied by piercing and snapping methods and the results were compared with those from the domestic hen.

Guinea fowl egg shells are stronger and thicker than egg shells from the domestic hen and the shells are stronger even after allowing for their greater thickness. The difference in snapping strength between shells of the two species is far greater when the shells are snapped inwards than when they are snapped outwards. Studies of the crystal structure, histological structure and chemical analysis revealed interesting differences between the two types of shell but it was not possible to say which of these differences accounted for the differences in strength.     

Egg-laying pattern of the semi-domesticated helmeted guinea fowl (Numida meleagris galeata)

1. Studies on the egg laying pattern of the semi-domesticated helmeted guinea fowl showed that the birds laid eggs between 06.00 and 20.00 h local time (05.00 to 19.00 h GMT). 2. More (67.9%) were laid in the evenings (15.00 to 20.00 h) than at any other period. 3. There were two distinct periods in the reproductive cycle: a breeding season which began in April and ended in September, and a resting or non-breeding period between October and March. 4. Sequence length was predominantly of 4 eggs and July was the month of peak egg production.     

Inheritance of wing feather development rate in guinea fowl (Numida meleagris)

1. A study of primary wing feather development rate in guinea fowl revealed genetic control through a single pair of sex‐linked alleles. The allele for slow feathering (K) was dominant over that for rapid feathering (k⁺)..

2. Wing feather sexing showed 94% accuracy in 10‐d‐old keets.

3. Incidence of rapid feathering allele (k⁺ ) was higher in the population selected for high body weight compared to the unselected population.     

Anatomic investigation of the lumbosacral plexus of the helmeted guinea fowl (Numida meleagris)

The study was conducted for the determination of the main nerves of the lumbosacral plexus in the helmeted guineafowl. Five helmeted guineafowls were used. Fowls were anaesthetised and the a. carotis communis was cut for blood drainage. Body cavities were revealed and were fixated with 10% formaldehyde. Nerves forming the lumbosacral plexus were dissected and photographed. Results were named according to the Nomina Anatomica Avium. It was determined that the lumbosacral plexus forms by 8 synsacral ventral rami from the ventrolateral side of synsacrum which include (2–9) synsacral spinal nerves. It was seen that the lumbar plexus was formed by the ventral rami of the 2nd, 3rd and 4th spinal nerves, and the sacral plexus was formed by the ventral rami of the 5th, 6th, 7th, 8th and 9th synsacral spinal nerves. It was observed that following nerves of n. pubicus (ilioinguinalis), r. cutaneous femoris lateralis, r. cutaneous femoris medialis (n. saphenus), n. femoralis and n. obturatorius originate from the lumbar plexus, and following nerves of n. ischiadicus, the common branch of n. fibularis and n. tibialis originate from the sacral plexus. It was determined that the n. ischiadicus was formed by the truncus cranialis, medianus and caudalis. In conclusion, it was determined that there are macro anatomical differences between different avian species in the quantity, thickness and distribution of the spinal nerves that form the lumbosacral plexus, and in formations of the plexus, and in separations of nerve branches.     

Purification and some of the properties of alkaline phosphatase in guinea fowls (Numida meleagris galeata)

1. Alkaline phosphatase activity in the plasma of different strains of guinea fowls showed considerable variation both within and between sexes as well as within and between strains. 2. The enzymes from different strains of wild guinea fowls had different mobilities on disc polyacrylamide electrophoresis but each was characterised by a single band. 3. When the enzyme was purified 163-fold from the plasma of a domesticated grey breasted strain, both ion-exchange chromatography and gel-filtration purification steps yielded a single band of enzyme. 4. The purified enzyme had a molecular weight of 79,400 +/- 3,000 and was stable up to 60 degrees C at the optimum pH of 9.6. 5. Evidence is provided that guinea fowl alkaline phosphatase is a metalloenzyme.     

Identification of Ascaridia numidae in guinea fowl (Numida meleagris) and association with elevated mortality

An outbreak of ascaridiasis occurred in 10-wk-old guinea fowl (Numida meleagris) on a commercial farm. Birds had exhibited elevated mortality (11.66%) in the previous week, as well as increased water consumption, weakness, anorexia, and stunted growth. Numerous nematodes, occasionally occluding the intestinal lumen, were present in the jejunum and ileum and were identified as Ascaridia numidae based on microscopic morphology. Ribosomal DNA 18S and 28S D3 sequences of the nematode were deposited into GenBank and found to be most similar to Ascaridia galli and Toxocara vitulorum, respectively; sequences for A. numidae had not been previously reported. Treatment with piperazine sulfate significantly reduced the number of adult worms in the intestines, greatly decreased eggs per gram of feces, relieved clinical signs in the flock, and returned the flock mortality back to expected levels. All findings implicate A. numidae as the cause of elevated mortality in this flock.     

Ivermectin in the control of helminthiasis in guinea fowl Numida meleagris galeata Pallas

Guinea fowls (Numida meleagris galeata Pallas) were treated with subcutaneous injection of Ivomec at dose rate of 0.14 mg/kg to control and reduce mortalities due to helminthiasis. Ten hours after treatment faecal droppings contained both adult and larval stages of Ascaridia galli, Heterakis gallinarum, Subulura suctoria and fragments of Raillietina spp. Recovery was found 48 hours later. Drug efficacy was 100%.     

Ectoparasites of guinea fowl (Numida meleagris galeata Pallas) and local domestic chicken (Gallus gallus) in southern guinea savanna,Nigeria

The ectoparasites of poultry in a southern guinea savanna zone were investigated by the examination of guinea fowl and local domestic chickens in the range and guinea fowl under intensive management. The prevalent ectoparasites of range guinea fowl and local chickens include seven species of lice Menacanthus stramineus, Menopon gallinae, Goniodes gigas, Goniocotes gallinae, Lipeurus caponis, Numidilipeurus tropicalis, Damalinia bovis; three mites Bdellonyssus bursa, Megninia cubitalis, Dermanyssus gallinae; two fleas Echidnophaga gallinacea, Ctenocephalides felis and two ticks Argas persicus and Amblyomma variegatum. Under intensive management, infestation by G. gigas, L. caponis and M. gallinae led to clinical signs, feather damage, reduced food intake and death.     

A survey of gastrointestinal helminths of the common helmet guinea fowl (Numida meleagris galeata) in Burkina Faso

Guinea fowls in Burkina Faso (Africa) harbored 13 species of helminth parasites. The two most abundant species were Subulura suctoria and Ascaridia numidae, which comprised 89% of the nematodes. The other nematode species (Gongylonema congolense, Eucoleus annulatus, Synhimantus spiralis, Tetrameres fissispina, and Cyrnea parroti) occurred at low levels. Five species of cestodes and one acanthocephalan were also present. It is likely that guinea fowl act as important reservoir hosts of chicken nematodes.     

The status of guinea fowls (Numida meleagris) in the epidemiology of infectious bursal disease (IBD) of poultry in Nigeria

A serological survey for IBD in market guinea fowls gave a total prevalence rate of 44.3% from five different locations in Nigeria. Guinea fowl keets were susceptible to experimental IBD infection and transmitted it to in-contact sentinel chickens. The infected guinea fowl keets showed the typical clinical-pathology and seroconversion for IBD. These results suggest that guinea fowls could play an active part in the epidemiology of IBD.