Effect of Supplementary Termite Meal on Growth Performance of the Pearl Guinea Fowl (Numida Meleagris).

Abstract

This study was undertaken to determine the effect of termite meal on the growth and survival of Guinea fowls (Numida meleagris). A 12-week experiment was divided into two phases, namely the brooding and post-brooding phases. One hundred and thirty-five (135) day-old keets were used for the experiment. Termites were harvested from the termitarium with soil. Samples of termites and soil were taken for laboratory analysis. A pre-weighed 300g of termites only was given to the third group of keets, and 3000g of termites plus soil was given to the birds. The second group of keets was fed early in the morning before the main feed was given, and water was provided ad libitum. A Completely Randomized Design (CRD) was used for the experiment since the treatments used were more than two. Parameters measured included: average daily feed intake, total feed intake, final body weight, weight gain and daily weight gain and feed conversion ratio. Data collected were analyzed using the General Linear Model (GLM) procedure of the Statistical Analysis System (SAS for Windows, Version 11). The means were separated by using the probability of difference (PDIFF). Termites’ meal-only inclusion in the diet had a significant (P < 0.05) effect on daily feed intake, total feed intake, final body weight, body weight gain, and daily weight gain. However, the feed conversion ratio was not significantly (P > 0.05) influenced by the termites plus soil meal used in this study. Daily feed intake, total feed intake, final body weight, body weight gain, and daily weight gain were significantly (P < 0.05) higher among local Guinea fowls fed with termites’ meal only, followed by birds fed with a combination of termites’ meal plus soil. However, the control treatment, which did not include termites, recorded the least daily feed intake and total feed intake throughout the study. High mortality was recorded in the control group, followed by the termites and soil group and no mortality in the termite’s only group in the brooding period (0-6 weeks), while in the post-brooding period (6-12 weeks) no mortality was recorded for the treatment groups. Faecal samples of the birds taken for laboratory analysis showed eggs of Hymenolepis, Trichostrogyloides, and Spirometra in the control group, Ascarids, Hymenolepis and Trichostrongylus in the termite and soil group, as well as Trichostrongylus and Ascarids in the termite’s only group. Post-mortem examination on birds proved the presence of tapeworms and roundworms in the intestinal tract. The termite-only meal conferred better growth performance and improved feed intake and body weight as compared to birds on the control treatment and termite plus soil. It was concluded that increased productivity of poultry, particularly Guinea fowls, could be achieved by feeding termite-only meals, which could reduce mortality significantly.