Carcass composition and breast muscle microstructure in guinea fowl (Numida meleagris L.) of different origin

Evaluation of dressing percentage and postmortem traits in 14-week-old white and grey guinea fowl, extended with evaluation of breast muscle microstructure, was the aim of the study. Subjects were two varieties of guinea fowl kept in an environmentally controlled house. Birds received complete commercial feeds. At 14 weeks of rearing, their whole carcasses were dissected postmortem. Diameters and percentages of white (alphaW) and red muscle fibres (betaR) were determined based on histological analysis of the musculus pectoralis superficialis. Similar dressing percentage was found in both guinea fowl varieties. At 14 weeks of age, grey guinea fowl had greater body weight, and weight and proportion of leg muscles and wings compared to white guinea fowl. Females of the white variety had greater weight of breast muscles than males. Breast muscle microstructure showed significantly (P < or = 0.05) greater content and diameter of white fibres in grey guinea fowl, and of red fibres in white guinea fowl.