Abstract

Kelvin K. Ngongolo1 and Samuel Mtoka2

The world has been experiencing growing pressure on biodiversity resources by destruction, overexploitation, development and climate change. There is a need for alternatives of conserving wildlife species in inhabited area. Domestication of Helmeted Guinea fowl (HG) in Tanita-Kibaha Municipal, Tanzania is seen as both way of conserving biological resources in inhabited areas and socio-economic development of the community. This study aimed at determining the potential of HG for domestication over other domestic birds (chicken, ducks). Also the attitude of HG’s keepers was evaluated. The body size was determined by measuring height and length of birds and tested using Mann-Whitney U test statistic. While attitude on HG was determined using Likert’s scaling and tested using Kruskal-Wallis Test Statistic. The growth rate was significantly higher in HG than chicken. The attitude was significant positive for HG when compared with chicken and ducks. However few HG are kept due to newness of the business, lack of knowledge and support. It was advised on provision of education to the community. The government and other stakeholders were recommended to support the venture as it has potentials in domestic and commercial purposes.