Evaluation of the Effectiveness of Three Methods of Protecting Guinea Fowl from Mortalities Used in Traditional Breeding in Northern Togo

A study on the evaluation of the effectiveness of three traditional methods of protecting guinea fowl from mortality was carried out at CRA-SS (Centre de Recherche Agronomique de la Savane Sèche) in northern Togo. Guinea fowl were divided into 5 batches, of which 3 batches received prophylactic medical treatment including plant decoctions, the 4th batch was followed by a medical prophylaxis program as a control group and the 5th batch considered as a negative control, has not received any prophylactic treatment. The results showed that a mortality rate of 25% for the reference lot and two other batches which received plant decoctions (Euphorbia poissonii or Khaya senegalensis) were recorded against a rate of 87.5% in the batch of guinea fowl which received the decoction of Pteleopsis suberosa. Meanwhile, regardless of weight growth, daily average gain (GMQ) or food consumption, no significant difference was observed (p > 0.05) between the guinea fowl that received a baseline health monitoring and those having taken the decoction of E. poissonii. On the other hand, the values recorded in these two batches of guinea fowl differed statistically from those in the guinea fowl that received the decoction of K. senegalensis. Although the decoction of K. senegalensis has a protective effect in guinea fowl, the growth of guinea fowl has been slowed down. On the basis of these results, it appears that two endogenous practices tested (K. senegalensis or E. poissonii) have positive effects. However, it would be desirable to carry out a toxicity test in order to determine the recommended doses.