Traditional Poultry Farming Research Articles

The Effects of Acute Oral Toxicity of Jatropha multifida and Hyptis suaveolens on Zootechnical Parameters in Local Chickens

The substantial use of medicinal plants in traditional poultry farming is a well-established practice. The present study aimed to determine the median lethal dose (LD50) of ethanolic extracts of Jatropha multifida and Hyptis suaveolens in local chickens and to assess the effects of these extracts on feed intake, water intake, and average body weight. The methodology followed OECD Directive 223, which involves administering the highest dose of the extract to the chickens and assessing any mortality. Three homogeneous groups of five chickens each were formed for the limit dose test. The control group received distilled water, while batches 1 and 2 received 700 mg of ethanolic extract of J. multifida and H. suaveolens, respectively. The average body weight of the chickens was 350g ± 20, and the extracts were administered via gavage at a suspension of 2000 mg/kg.bwt of the extract dissolved in water. The results of the phytochemical tests indicated the presence of several chemical compounds known for their therapeutic effects. The productivity of the extract was 2.75 ± 0.19 for J. multifida and 3.3 ± 0.27 for H. suaveolens. After administration of the suspensions, observation for 14 days revealed no mortality. This finding indicated that the LD50 of the utilized ethanolic extracts exceeds the limit dose (2000 mg/kg.bwt). However, feed intake (49 ± 3 > 46±4) and average body weight (436 ± 31 > 388 ± 37) in batch 2 were significantly higher than those in batch 1. Future research should explore the subacute toxicity of J. multifida and H. suaveolens across various chicken breeds.

Evaluating the impact of improved technology adoption in traditional poultry farming on potential outcomes of farmers: evidence from rural Togo

Evaluating the impact of improved technology adoption in traditional poultry farming on potential outcomes of farmers: evidence from rural Togo

Characterization of Cattle Farming in Savanna and Forest Areas in Cote D’ivoire

The aim of this study was to characterize cattle (Bos Taurus) breading system in savannah and forest areas in Côte d'Ivoire. To achieve this objective, a formal survey was carried out among 490 breeders. It was carried out by surveys and interviews to characterize the farms. The rearing system, the different breeds bred, the size of the herd, the mode of reproduction and the other associated animal species with cattle breading were observed. The observations were compared by department and agro-ecological zone. The results showed two farming systems. These are the transhumant system and sedentary system. The sedentary system is more used (P<0.05), i.e. 79% of breeders. However, the transhumant system is still common in savannah areas. The livestock was composed mainly of zebu 28%, mestizos 33% and mixed (Zebu, mestizos, Méré, N’dama and Baoulé breeds). The local breeds Méré, Ndama and Baoulé represented less than 2% of the livestock. The size of the herd was less than 100 head in majority (P<0.05). Cattle farming was often associated with traditional poultry farming. This activity is secondary for 70.6% of breeders. The reproductive system was carried out in an uncontrolled manner. The breeding males were in the herd all the time.

Characterization of Cattle Farming in Savanna and Forest Areas in Cote D’ivoire

The aim of this study was to characterize cattle (Bos Taurus) breading system in savannah and forest areas in Côte d'Ivoire. To achieve this objective, a formal survey was carried out among 490 breeders. It was carried out by surveys and interviews to characterize the farms. The rearing system, the different breeds bred, the size of the herd, the mode of reproduction and the other associated animal species with cattle breading were observed. The observations were compared by department and agro-ecological zone. The results showed two farming systems. These are the transhumant system and sedentary system. The sedentary system is more used (P<0.05), i.e. 79% of breeders. However, the transhumant system is still common in savannah areas. The livestock was composed mainly of zebu 28%, mestizos 33% and mixed (Zebu, mestizos, Méré, N’dama and Baoulé breeds). The local breeds Méré, Ndama and Baoulé represented less than 2% of the livestock. The size of the herd was less than 100 head in majority (P<0.05). Cattle farming was often associated with traditional poultry farming. This activity is secondary for 70.6% of breeders. The reproductive system was carried out in an uncontrolled manner. The breeding males were in the herd all the time.

Determinants of Farmers' Participation in the Agricultural Sector Support Project for the Adoption of Improved Technology in Traditional Poultry Farming: Evidence from Rural Togo

The adoption of improved technologies in agriculture has been shown to improve incomes, reduce poverty and contribute to rural development in many developing nations. In Togo, the Agricultural Sector Support Project (PASA) assists smallholder farmers in the adoption of the Improved Technology in Traditional Poultry Farming (ITTPF) in rural areas as a means of increasing smallholder incomes, enhancing food security and reducing poverty. However, the adoption rate is currently below expectations, especially given the promise it holds not only from an economic perspective but also from a broad environmental sustainability viewpoint since poultry manure can be used as a necessary input in smallholder farms. In this study, we examine the factors associated with the participation of farmers in PASA for the adoption of ITTPF in Togo. Our analysis covers 400 smallholder households in the 23 districts of Togo and employs Logit model with Probit model as robustness check. We find different socio-economic constraints and enablers of participation in PASA. Particularly, level of education, household size, membership in cooperative societies, hatching rate of eggs, farm size, average annual sale of poultry and self-financing capacity were positively and significantly related to the participation of farmers in PASA. The findings are robust to alternative specifications such as Probit model. Based on the findings, we argue that participation in agricultural innovation and development programs depends on the information accessible to farmers. One medium to improve information access could be agricultural cooperatives and extension services since they provide informal education, training, and access to productive inputs for farming and marketing purposes. Our findings suggest the need for agricultural policies which promote farmer organizations such as agricultural cooperatives coupled with effective extension services to enable the adoption of improved agricultural technologies.

Characterization and Typology of Traditional Poultry Farming Systems in Southern Niger

An appropriate agricultural policy that integrates knowledge of endogenous poultry practices should enhance household resilience by contributing to food and nutrition security and sustainable development in developing countries. The current cross-sectional survey aimed to characterize poultry breeding systems and identify types of traditional poultry farmers in Maradi and Zinder in southern Niger. Therefore, 600 households were investigated for the socio-economic parameters of poultry farmers, the breeding methods, the zootechnical parameters of the local chicken, and the health parameters relating to biosecurity and animal care. The results of the descriptive analyses indicated that traditional poultry activity is mainly carried out by men (73.5%) and small farmers (74.2%). Breeding management was primarily free-range breeding (99.3%). The majority of the surveyed herders (67.8%) were illiterate. However, 41.5% of them attended traditional Islamic Koranic schools. Most farmers (80%) were small-scale livestock farmers with an average herd size of 22 ± 24.9. The poultry raised were 93.3% local breeds, with chicken domination (66%). The housing did not meet the required standards, and the feed was mainly cereals. The female chicken can potentially produce 12.64 fertile eggs per clutch and brood 3.53 times per year. The leading cause of mortality in poultry was avian diseases (93.7%) and Newcastle disease in some cases. Poultry vaccination against Newcastle disease was reported by 31.5% of respondents. Of the respondents, 20% have partially observed hygiene and biosecurity measures. About 35.5% of the participants reported the provision of veterinary care, while 44% used phytotherapy to prevent or treat poultry diseases. Based on the results of this cluster analysis, three classes of poultry farmers were distinguished, each with specific characteristics. Poultry farmers in class 1 were particularly characterized by the diversity of their main activity and their level of education, those in class 2 were mostly employed in agriculture and had little school experience, and those in class 3 were characterized by their low level of vaccination practice and their lack of therapeutic animal care. The results also indicated that 15.7%, 70.8%, and 13.5% of poultry farmers belonged to classes 1, 2, and 3, respectively. Keywords: Characterization, Farmer, Niger, Poultry diseases, Poultry production

Assessing the adoption rates of improved technology in traditional poultry farming: Evidence from rural Togo

The adoption of improved agricultural technologies is known to significantly improve incomes, create more wealth, alleviate poverty and contribute to rural development in many developing countries. The Government of Togo, through the National Programme for Agricultural Investment and Food Security (PNIASAN) and the Agricultural Sector Support Project (PASA), and with financial support from the World Bank and help from the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), provides assistance to smallholder farmers in improved technology adoption in traditional poultry farming (ITTPF) for wealth creation, food security and poverty alleviation. However, for any technology or emerging agricultural practices, awareness and exposure are necessary conditions for their adoption. And because these two factors are not distributed randomly in the population of potential adopters, not taking them into account will lead to estimates of population adoption rates that are not informative of the true demand for the technology, and to inconsistent estimates of the parameters of the adoption model. In this study, we evaluate the adoption rates of ITTPF among farmers in Togo. Data was collected from 400 farmers in 2014, prior to the introduction of ITTPF, and again five years later. This data was then analysed using inverse propensity score weighting and parametric estimation of adoption regression models. The results of the estimates indicate that the average treatment effect (𝐴𝑇𝐸), which represents the mean potential adoption rate of the population, is 57%, the average treatment effect on the treated (𝐴𝑇𝐸𝑇), which represents the mean potential adoption rate in the exposed subpopulation, is 60%, the population mean joint exposure and adoption rate (𝐽𝐸𝐴) is 13%, and the population selection bias (𝑃𝑆𝐵) is 3%. The sample adoption rate (𝐽𝐸𝐴) AfJARE Vol 17 No 3 (2022) pp 206–223 Soviada

Sustainable Use of Macrotermes spp. to Improve Traditional Poultry Farming through an Efficient Trapping System in Burkina Faso.

Simple SummaryIn West Africa, termites are commonly used as protein feed for poultry by smallholder farmers who trap them by placing containers filled with organic matters on termite tracks. The objective of this study conducted in Burkina Faso was to test and improve the technique to increase the availability of termites for traditional poultry farmers. The study focused on termites of the genus Macrotermes and found that the quantity of termites trapped varied with the containers’ types, substrates placed in the container, habitats, harvesting times, duration of trap deposition, and season. These results allow to provide information to farmers on how to optimize the trapping of Macrotermes species and increase the quantity of termites available as protein source for their poultry.This study aimed to promote the use of termites as feed in traditional poultry farming by developing sustainable and inexpensive termite trapping techniques. Various tests were carried out in Burkina Faso to improve the traditional technique of trapping termites of the genus Macrotermes using a reversed container filled with organic matters. We studied the effect of containers’ types, substrates, habitats, harvesting times, duration of trap deposition, and season on the quantity of termites trapped. Calabashes and terra cotta pots trapped more termites than iron boxes, but calabashes were quickly destroyed by termites. The quantity of termites harvested increased proportionally with the volume of the pot and was higher in a cultivated habitat than in a forest, despite the higher number of termite mounds in the forest. The quantity of termites harvested was lowest in the cold-dry season and highest during the rainy season, however, sizeable amounts of termites were collected throughout the year. Among six substrates and mixtures of substrates tested, maize cobs trapped the highest number of termites and cow dung the lowest. The best time of harvest varied among seasons and, if substrates are abundant, it is more efficient to empty the containers on a daily basis.

Adoption Rates Assessment of Improved Technology in Traditional Poultry Farming: Evidence from Rural Togo

Adoption Rates Assessment of Improved Technology in Traditional Poultry Farming: Evidence from Rural Togo

Determinants of Farmers' Participation in the Agricultural Sector Support Project for the Adoption of Improved Technology in Traditional Poultry Farming: Evidence from Rural Togo

Determinants of Farmers' Participation in the Agricultural Sector Support Project for the Adoption of Improved Technology in Traditional Poultry Farming: Evidence from Rural Togo

Typology and Characterization of Traditional Poultry Farming Systems in Togo

Typology and Characterization of Traditional Poultry Farming Systems in Togo

Extensive and Improved Traditional Poultry Farming in Togo: A Comparative Analysis of Socioeconomic Characteristics of Farmers

Since 2014, the Agricultural Sector Support Project (PASA) has been assisting smallholder farmers in Togo with the adoption of Improved Traditional Poultry Farming Technique (ITPFT) in rural areas for wealth creation, food security and poverty alleviation. This paper focuses on comparing the socioeconomic characteristics of beneficiaries and non-beneficiaries of PASA subsidies. Both random and purposive sampling techniques were used to select 400 farmers. The sample consisted of 86 project beneficiaries and 314 non-beneficiaries. Structured questionnaires were used to collect data. Results of analysis indicated that there is a significant difference in socioeconomic variables such as self-financing capacity, level of education, membership in cooperative societies, household size, farm size, and annual sale of poultry between project beneficiaries and non-beneficiaries prior to the implementation of PASA. Descriptive statistics show that five years after the implementation of PASA, the annual poultry sales per farmer ranged from 0 to 1700 birds for beneficiaries and from 9 to 200 birds for non-beneficiaries. The turnover per farmer ranged from US $ 0 to US $ 42409 and from US $ 33 to US $ 996 for beneficiaries and non-beneficiaries, respectively. The profit per farmer ranged from US $ 0 to US $ 25446 for beneficiaries and from US $ 26 to US $ 797 for non-beneficiaries. The magnitude of the standard deviations of the potential outcome variables among beneficiaries and non-beneficiaries suggests that adoption rates of ITPFT may vary from one farmer to another. As a result, compared to non-beneficiaries, beneficiaries experienced a greater increase in potential outcomes five years after the implementation of PASA. Failure to comply with improved production technique on certain farms, despite receiving subsidies, is a factor that could negatively impact the effective, efficient, and optimal achievement of the project’s expected results. Further research will concentrate on determining the added value of PASA through the use of appropriate and thorough econometric adoption and impact assessment methods.

A New Variant Among Newcastle Disease Viruses Isolated in the Democratic Republic of the Congo in 2018 and 2019.

Newcastle disease (ND) is a highly transmissible and devastating disease that affects poultry and wild birds worldwide. Comprehensive knowledge regarding the characteristics and epidemiological factors of the ND virus (NDV) is critical for the control and prevention of ND. Effective vaccinations can prevent and control the spread of the NDV in poultry populations. For decades, the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) has reported the impacts of ND on commercial and traditional poultry farming systems. The reports were preliminary clinical observations, and few cases were confirmed in the laboratory. However, data on the phylogenetic, genetic, and virological characteristics of NDVs circulating in the DRC are not available. In this study, the whole-genome sequences of three NDV isolates obtained using the next-generation sequencing method revealed two isolates that were a new variant of NDV, and one isolate that was clustered in the subgenotype VII.2. All DRC isolates were velogenic and were antigenically closely related to the vaccine strains. Our findings reveal that despite the circulation of the new variant, ND can be controlled in the DRC using the current vaccine. However, epidemiological studies should be conducted to elucidate the endemicity of the disease so that better control strategies can be implemented.

Characteristics of indigenous guinea fowl (Numida meleagris) family poultry production in northern Togo.

A survey was conducted in Dry Savannah and Atakora agroecological zones in northern Togo, between March and July 2018, to characterise indigenous guinea fowl management practices. A semi-structured questionnaire was administered to 82 farmers in 28 villages. The data were analysed using the chi-square test or Fisher's exact test, independent-sample t test and the multiple correspondence analysis with SPSS and XLSTAT. The results showed that guinea fowl production was mainly practised by men (91.5%) who did not have training in guinea fowl production (68.4%). In traditional poultry farming, the most popular management method was the semi-intensive system (86.2%). Guinea fowl, which was raised primarily for sale (100%), was the main bird species with 68.2 ± 92.5 birds per farmer. All respondents provided a dietary supplement to guinea fowl with a feeding management that varied according to the birds' developmental stage. Wing drooping (89.3%), diarrhoea (67.4%) and drowsiness (64.7%) were the main clinical symptoms of diseases observed. The majority of respondents (68.2%) used both conventional veterinary products and ethno-veterinary plant products as drugs in order to control guinea fowl diseases. Guinea fowl started laying at 8.4 ± 1.6months and had 128.5 ± 51.2 eggs per year. The indigenous hen that hatched eggs naturally had 43.6 ± 17.1 hatching eggs per year with a hatchability of 85.0%. For 85.4% of the respondents, survivability was the main problem in guinea fowl production. Improving the survivability of the birds could improve their productivity, as they play an important socio-economic role for most rural households.

Indigenous Guinea fowl (Numida meleagris) production in West Africa: inventory, performances and constraints – a review

Abstract In West Africa, traditional poultry farming plays an important role in the provision of livelihoods for the rural population. One of the major species of traditional poultry farming is Guinea fowl ( Numida meleagris), which is very valued for its meat and eggs. Despite some attempts to improve the performance of Guinea fowl in this region, the full potential of the birds is not yet well exploited and the birds are still managed under extensive or semi intensive systems. Feed supplementation remains low and insufficient and animals scavenge for feed (insects, worms, plants, etc.) in the field and in the area around the villages. These breeding and feeding conditions contribute to the poor productivity of the birds. However, some studies show that the growth performance of Guinea fowl under an intensive system was not better than that seen under a traditional system despite the use of improved feed. On the other hand, the performance is better with the improvement of the production conditions resulting in early laying and increased number of laying cycles. These results could be due to nutritional or genetic changes. Unfortunately, the genetic characteristics of indigenous Guinea fowl populations are poorly documented. The few studies available are based on the plumage colour and have identified several varieties of Guinea fowl with different growth performances. Comprehensive studies are needed to highlight the specific characteristics of local varieties or strains for proper management and improvement of the West-African indigenous Guinea fowl.

Vaccination: A key way to prevent Newcastle disease in poultry of Nepal

Nepal is a country with variation in topography and diverse climatic zones. Agriculture is a major occupation for majority of Nepalese engaging 66% of total population in farming and Poultry farming is integral part of the agriculture in Nepal. Nepal has long history of traditional poultry keeping. Poultry are the important source of valuable dietary proteins and rural cash income. In recent data, about 72 million chickens and 400 thousand ducks are present which include commercial, small holder and backyard type of farm. Poultry sector is an emerging industry engaging and employing 70,000 people directly contributing about 4% in National GDP. In present days, the traditional poultry farming is replaced by commercial farming. But the challenge and constraints on poultry sector are increasing day by day. Outbreak and spread of emerging infectious disease is headache in poultry farming. Various disease like Avian influenza, Newcastle disease, IBD, IB, ILT, coccidiosis, Avian Mycoplasmosis, Fowl typhoid, Fowl pox etc. cause serious economic loss in poultry industry. Newcastle disease is common and spread throughout the country having higher incidence in the summer which is caused by avian paramyxovirus type-1 of paramyxoviridae. Vaccines are important tool for prophylactic measures. In many countries, vaccination against ND is routinely practiced for prevention and control of disease and types of vaccines and vaccination schedule vary according to potential threat and virulence property of the field challenge virus. There is big challenge for vaccine researchers, manufacturers and scientists for development of effective vaccine against Newcastle disease. In this paper, we will discuss about present status of Newcastle disease and Vaccine produced in Nepal and Vaccination protocol to prevent spread of Newcastle Disease in Nepal.

Traditional methods of harvesting termites used as poultry feed in Burkina Faso

Termites are commonly used by smallholder farmers in West Africa to feed their poultry. A survey was carried out among poultry farmers in Burkina Faso to gather knowledge on the traditional methods used to obtain termites for poultry feed, to assess which termite genera are collected with which techniques and evaluate prospects for optimising and improving the collection and trapping methods. Data were collected among 1100 poultry farmers in eight regions of Burkina Faso on the harvesting techniques, the termite species and their local names as well as on the use of residues. After the interviews, termite samples were collected with the farmers and identified in the laboratory. At least five termite species were found. Species of the genera Odontotermes, Trinervitermes and Macrotermes are commonly given to chickens and guinea fowls whereas a Cubitermes species is sometimes used to feed guinea fowls. Two categories of methods are used to obtain termites, the direct collection by breaking termite mounds and the trapping of termites in containers filled with organic matters. The harvesting method varies with the termite genus, the region and the season. Different techniques with various types of containers and organic matters are used in the country and these techniques should be tested and compared to recommend the most efficient ones. The enhancement of termite trapping methods and their integration in poultry feed have the potential to significantly improve traditional poultry farming in Burkina Faso.

Phenotypic and morphometric diversity of local chickens (BRAHMA) from wilaya of Tlemcen, Northwestern of Algeria

The aim of contributing to the identification of the typology of traditional poultry farming and morphometric characterization of local breeds in the wilaya of Tlemcen. Several field surveys were conducted in this region to target BRAHMA type poultry farms based on pre-established contacts with farmers. A total of 67 individuals from the Brahma phenotype hens at different locations in the Tlemcen wilaya were investigated to identify and classify these individuals and to study the morphological differences between them according to their location. Fourteen measurements in which 11 quantitative and three qualitative traits were carried out in this work. The results obtained for all measurements made on the population BRAHMA chickens in the region of Tlemcen with the 8 communes visited, show that there is a significant difference between the morphological characters except two characters length of the tarsi (LT) and width of the thighs (LAC). Furthermore, In addition, sex shows a small significant difference between the measurements studied.Thus the results of the PCA and hierarchical classification show that there are four groups that share the same morphological characteristics except for some differences that may be due to climatic and environmental adaptation. This analysis made it possible to establish remarkable phenotypical differences, which have implications to take into account in the program of characterization and conservation of the species.

Sustainable rural development through Backyard Poultry Farming in Cuddalore district, Tamil Nadu

Backyard poultry farming has played an important role to meet the domestic as well as socio-cultural needs of the rural people. However, the traditional poultry farming in villages has suffered in the wake of commercialization in the recent years. Thus, the present study was conceptualized with the objective to search out the existing status of backyard poultry farming and to identify the constraints perceived by poultry owners in Cuddalore district of Tamil Nadu, India. The study was conducted in randomly selected fifteen villages of three divisions of Cuddalore district of Tamil Nadu. Data were collected through a structured interview schedule from 240 respondents i.e. 80 each from the three divisions. The analysis of data revealed that respondents were predominantly young, had low level of education in backyard chicken production. Agricultural labour was the major occupation; they had marginal land and medium livestock holding with more than six years of poultry farming experience. The average flock size was 5 birds and they reared birds in free-range/backyard system with little supplementary feeding. No systematic care was taken with regard to the diseases and vaccination of the birds was also not carried out in any of the villages surveyed. The major constraints identified were high incidence of poultry diseases, lack of suitable germ-plasm and attack by predators.

Indigenous practices in poultry farming using maggots in western Burkina Faso

The exploitation of insects such as saprophagous fly larvae for poultry nutrition is getting prominence in many African countries. In the framework of a participatory research, a survey was carried out in Burkina Faso to assess the present use of fly larvae and other feed inputs in traditional poultry farming, to identify traditional methods associated with fly larvae production and to gather information on the organic wastes that could be used locally by farmers to produce fly larvae. A questionaire was randomly administered to 360 poultry farmers in 12 villages and 2 regions (Boucle du Mouhoun and Hauts-Bassins) in Burkina Faso. Nearly 15% of the respondents mentioned that they also use fly larvae at least occasionally. Fly larvae are either produced by exposing substrates to naturally occurring flies, in which case larvae are obtained after three to 14 days, depending on the species, or directly collected in organic wastes. Housefly (Musca domestica L.) was the most commonly used fly species but black soldier fly (Hermetia illucens (L.)) was also cited by some farmers. Over 30 organic wastes of animal or plant origin were cited by farmers as substrates that can attract adult flies and allow the development of their larvae. Farmers who have already produced fly larvae cited 25 potential substrates that can be used either alone or mixed with attractants. Information was gathered on the production techniques and their constraints, among which the lack of availability of suitable substrates. The study highlighted the potential of maggots as protein feed in traditional poultry farming but also the need to develop sustainable, efficient and safe production methods. The survey revealed the need to determine the most productive substrates for maggot rearing and safe substrates for poultry health. There are also indigenous practices that can be improved to increase maggot production.