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

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.