Article (Scientific journals)
Guinea fowl rearing constraints and flock composition under traditional management in Borgou Department, Benin
Dahouda, Mahamadou; Toleba, Soumanou Seibou; Youssao, Abdou Karim Issaka et al.
2007In Family Poultry, 17 (1&2), p. 3-14
Peer reviewed
 

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Abstract :
[en] A survey was conducted in Borgou department (northern Benin) to characterize Guinea fowl production systems in rural areas. A questionnaire was administered to 70 Guinea fowl keepers in order to collect information about Guinea fowl management and husbandry practices in the region. This activity was practised according to traditional management in Benin where free range is the most common system of rearing. Birds scavenged during the day while at night, keets and surrogate hens were housed in poor, cramped coops whereas adult Guinea fowls roosted on trees. No rational feeding system was practised. Guinea fowls gleaned grass seeds, vegetable leaves, insects, worms, bones and eggshells. Poultry received a supplement consisting of cereals and their by-products, e.g. sorghum (30.4%), maize (25.0%), rice (14.3%), maize bran (7.1%), kitchen waste (5.4%), sorghum bran (3.6%), millet (1.8%) and complete food (1.8%). Adult body weight was 1121.3±100.2g at 6 months and maximum growth rate of 10.2g/day was reached at four months. Point-of-lay was between 7 and 9 months. Local hens were used to incubate Guinea fowl eggs, and hatchability was 72.9%. The survey revealed that Guinea fowl productivity is low because of high keet mortality. Average keet mortality registered from 0 to 6 months was 48% (range 3 to 100%). Moreover, 74% of interviewed farmers reported that keet mortality constituted the major constraint to Guinea fowl rearing. Others reported constraints, included keet weakness, poor quality of eggs, egg losses hidden under brush, keets predation, poor housing and infestations. The size of the keet populations varied over the year with the highest proportion in June-July while the proportion of growers increased from September to January.
Disciplines :
Animal production & animal husbandry
Author, co-author :
Dahouda, Mahamadou;  Université de Liège - ULiège > Département de productions animales > Nutrition des animaux domestiques
Toleba, Soumanou Seibou
Youssao, Abdou Karim Issaka
Bani Kogui, S.
Yacoubou Aboubakari, S.
Hornick, Jean-Luc  ;  Université de Liège - ULiège > Dpt. de gestion vétérinaire des Ressources Animales (DRA) > Nutrition animale en milieu tropical
Language :
English
Title :
Guinea fowl rearing constraints and flock composition under traditional management in Borgou Department, Benin
Publication date :
2007
Journal title :
Family Poultry
Volume :
17
Issue :
1&2
Pages :
3-14
Peer reviewed :
Peer reviewed
Available on ORBi :
since 12 March 2009

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