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ThesisItem Open Access Effect of Thermal Humidity Index (THI) on growth performances and immunocompetence in turkey and guinea fowl(G.B. Pant University of Agriculture and Technology, Pantnagar - 263145 (Uttarakhand), 2004-07) Elizabeth Yhome, K.; Atheya, U.K.Turkey and Guinea fowl, apart from being an important germplasm resume for America and African country respectively, is being looked as a potential protein for developing and under developing countries and India is having a great scope in this context. In the present study experiments were undertaken with five groups each of Turkeys and Guinea fowl comprising of 5 and 20 birds respectively were taken to assess the effect of hot-humid and hot-dry seasons on their growth rate, fertility, hatchability, mortality, haematological parameter, immunity and endocrine function. Temperature and relative humidity of the environment outside and inside the bird houses were recorded separately in both seasons and THI was calculated. Environmental THI during hot dry ranged between 60-79 and during hot humid ranged between 74-84 and THI inside the bird‘s houses ranged between 59-93. There was no significant effect on growth rate when THI was in the range of 61-71, the Turkey and Guinea fowl were quite comfortable, but when THI went above 83, it show signs of stress and bird‘s begin to pant out. Fertility and hatchability show significant (P<0.05) variation probably due to seasonal breeding pattern, age of bird, photoperiod etc. There were slight changes in haematological parameters in both seasons; changes observed may be due to age, sex and nutritional status. Antibody titre was significantly higher (P<0.05) in both Turkey and Guinea fowl except during May and June. Triiodothyronine (T3) and Thyroxine (T4) estimation were performed in hot-dry season in Turkey and Guinea fowl and no significant differences was observed except that morning T3 and T4 were significantly higher then afternoon T3 and T4. From the above study as conclusion it can be inferred that rearing Turkey and Guinea fowl would be economical at farmers level, but more, studies need to be conducted during the hot humid season especially May – June and various measures of amelioration of heat stress need to be practiced during the hotter climates of Tarai and Tarai like regions.