GROWTH PERFORMANCE AND SURVIVABILITY OF GUINEA FOWLS (Numida meleagris) RAISED THROUGH THE SUPPLY OF YOUNG GUINEA FOWLS AND EGGS TO FARMERS IN NADOWLI DISTRICT OF UPPER WEST REGION

Abstract

The traditional method of brooding and rearing of Guinea fowls poses a threat to the sustainability of Guinea fowl production in Ghana. An on-farm experiment was conducted in five communities (Goli, Goriyiri, Papu, Gyilli and Nato-Douri) in the Nadowli District of Upper West Region of Ghana to determine the growth performance and survivability of Guinea fowls through supply of young Guinea fowls and eggs. In all, 50 fanners were selected for the study. A Randomized Complete Block Design with a community as a block was used. Two hundred 9 weeks old (Ts) and Two hundred 12 weeks old (Tl2) young Guinea fowls were assigned to 10 fanners each in Goli and Goriyiri communities with each receiving 20 Guinea keets. Seven hundred and fifty (750) Guinea fowl eggs were assigned to the selected farmers with each receiving 15 eggs. Out of this, two hundred and thirty-three (233) Guinea keets were hatched representing 31.1 % and brooded at the farmer level of which one hundred and twenty-seven (127) keets survived representing 54.5% (To). The semi-intensive system of production was used by the farmers. The control birds recorded significantly lower (P<0.05) growth performance than their counterparts in T9 and T12. The control birds recorded significantly higher (P<0.05) mortality (32.3%) than their counterparts in T9 (25.5%) and TI2 (24.5%). It was more economical to raise Guinea keets intensively up to 9 or 12 weeks of age (67.3 and 53.4%) before rearing under the semi-intensive system of production. Based on the results of this study, it can be concluded that the birds raised under the artificial brooding system performed better than those raised under the natural brooding system.