Characteristics and Performance of Guinea Fowl Production Under Improved and Extensive Management Practices in Imo State, Eastern Nigeria release_zuw4wyzhejcslknlxbmqoet4se

Abstract

The survey was conducted in two communities in Imo State to characterize the production system as well as to identify the main constraints to guinea fowl production in the rural area. Differences appeared in the management of guinea fowl farming between the communities. This was essentially observed in the housing practices where only 8% of the Umuagwo farmers had cooperatives for the mature birds while in Etioha community, most of the keepers (65%) built houses for all the flock made up with several poultry species. In contrast, guinea fowl keets were often (79%) placed in baskets with foster hens. The supplementation of the birds with local feed was commonly used by 77% of the keepers but the nature of the feed relied on the communities and its availability. Sorghum was widely utilized in Umuagwo community while in Etioha cereal bran was intended for guinea fowl supplementation. Supplementary feeds were seldom purchased by the owners (3%). All the farmers claimed that guinea fowl farming is an income generating activity; as a result most of the keepers (98%) were responsible for a household. Most of the farmers agreed that keet mortality was the main hindrance in guinea fowl keeping.
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