Age related changes in external anatomy, and song-based gender identification in local guinea fowls (Numida meleagris)

There is hardly any research data on the external anatomy of guinea fowls. Three hundred and sixty local fowls, involving 180 each males females were studied, documented developmental variations in these birds from hatching until adulthood. The study also explored call-based approach as an alternative sexing method birds. Externally, all changed brownish black-stripped down feathers at to white regular spotted or pearl by 8th week age (WOA). Both sexes began emit their respective calls 8 WOA, while moulting neck started between 4th 6th WOA completed 12 16 WOA. All biometric traits increased significantly (P<0.0001) first plateaued different ages. Wing span tail length abdominal pelvic inlet widths stabilized 20 head-bill length, width, body lengths 24 cere wattle lengths, well weight continued increase end study. Significant development most was accomplished type call emitted could be used discriminate two 100% level accuracy