Effects of Direct-Fed Microbial (DFM) On the Productive and Reproductive Performance and Haematologic Traits of Female Indigenous Guinea Fowls (Numida Meleagris)

Goodman kantanka Sarfo; Confidence Owusu; Antoinette Simpa Anim-Jnr; Stephen Alfred Osei

doi:10.4314/just.v42i1.1364

Dr. Goodman Kantanka, Sarfo University
Confidence Owusu Department of Animal Science, Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology
Dr. (Mrs.) Antoinette Simpah, Anim-Jnr Department of Animal Science, Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST) https://orcid.org/0000-0003-0556-4334
Prof. Stephen Alfred Osei Department of Animal Science, Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology https://orcid.org/0000-0001-7810-4465

DOI: https://doi.org/10.4314/just.v42i1.1364

Keywords: DFM, guinea fowls, haematology, production, reproduction

Abstract

A 2-phase (grower and layer) study was undertaken to investigate the effects of direct-fed microbial (DFM) on the growth, production and reproductive performance of indigenous guinea fowls (Numida meleagris) raised on-station. During the grower phase, two hundred and sixteen (216) nine-week-old pearl guinea fowl growers of mean weight of 510 grams were allotted to four dietary treatment groups, each with three replicates containing 18 birds (15 pullets and 3 cockerels) in a completely randomized design (CRD). At 20 weeks of age, the birds were transferred to four-layer dietary treatments. The control diet contained no DFM while DFM was added to the various treatment diets at the respective rates of 1.0ml/kg, 1.5 ml/kg and 2 ml/kg. Feed and water were provided to the birds ad libitum in both the grower and layer phases. Parameters studied included feed consumption, growth rate, feed conversion ratio, egg production, egg fertility and hatchability and blood traits. The dietary incorporation of DFM had no significant effect (p> 0.05) on feed intake, egg weight and quality, weight of first egg and body weight at first egg as well as blood cholesterol levels but significantly improved final liveweight, feed conversion ratio (FCR), age at first egg, egg weight, egg fertility and hatchability (p< 0.05) compared with the control. It is concluded that the addition of 1.5 to 2ml of DFM/kg diet for indigenous guinea fowls improves both productive and reproductive performance.

Author Biographies

Dr. Goodman Kantanka, Sarfo , University

Goodman Kantanka Sarfo (PhD) is a practising Animal Scientist in Ghana and a Faculty Member at the Department of Animal Science, Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology. He obtained a BSc in Agriculture Technology (Animal Science option) from the University for Development Studies, Tamale, Ghana. He had both Msc and PhD degrees from the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology, Kumasi, Ghana. He has adapted the gut-health approach in disease prevention and treatment. His good working relationship with feed millers in the country (Agricare Limited and Boris B Limited) gave him an opportunity to study poultry nutrition trend(s) at the Centre of Excellence for Poultry Science, University of Arkansas, the United States of America through the Amplifier project.

Dr. (Mrs.) Antoinette Simpah, Anim-Jnr , Department of Animal Science, Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST)

Antoinette Simpah Anim-Jnr is a Member of Faculty at the Department of Animal Science, Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST), Kumasi, Ghana. She holds an MSc in Meat Science and Technology from the University of Bristol, UK, and a PhD in Animal Science from Massey University, New Zealand. Her research focuses on meat as food, specifically the effects of production systems on meat eating quality, composition and shelf life. Her current research interest includes exploiting underutilised non-conventional feed resources as potential sources of nutrients and phytochemicals to improve farm animal nutrition and the quality of meat and meat products She is a member of various professional bodies, including OWSD, WiSTEM-GH and is currently a fellow of the Food Systems Research Network for Africa (FSNet-Africa).

Prof. Stephen Alfred Osei , Department of Animal Science, Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology

Stephen Alfred Osei is a Professor in the Department of Animal Science, Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology, Kumasi, Ghana. His academic and research interests are in the areas of monogastric nutrition and reproductive and endocrine physiology of farm animals.

Effects of Direct-Fed Microbial (DFM) On the Productive and Reproductive Performance and Haematologic Traits of Female Indigenous Guinea Fowls (Numida Meleagris)

Abstract

Author Biographies

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