Use of native microorganisms in backyard poultry production in Burkina Faso

Objective: To characterize the effect of native microorganisms on backyard poultry production in western-central Burkina Faso. Materials and Methods: The study was divided into two parts: broilers and laying hens. Two groups of growing broilers, three months old and 0,54 kg live weight as average (ten broilers per group) were used. A complete randomized design was applied to determine the growth dynamics of the animals for 75 days. During this period, egg laying was evaluated for two batches of laying hens averaging five months of age and 0,82 kg live weight (10 hens per treatment). Two treatments were established: T1) typical farm diet, T2) typical diet, plus combined inclusion of native microorganisms in drinking water and feedstuffs at the rate of 6 mL/animal/day and 4,0 % of daily dry feedstuff weight, respectively. Results: There were no significant differences between treatments with regards to broiler growth. The final live weight was 0,93 kg, with a gain of 0,005 kg/chicken/day. Laying hens did not differ in growth either, with an average of 0,003 kg/day and a final weight of 1,02 kg. Broilers had high mortality (50 and 30 % for T1 and T2, respectively). However, no deaths were recorded in laying hens. Egg laying did not differ between treatments either, but egg weight in T2 was higher (p < 0,05) than in T1, with 40 and 30 g, respectively. Conclusions: There was no evidence of a significant effect of native microorganisms on the productivity of the poultry flock, but there was evidence of a significant effect on egg weight and viability of the animals under study. Keywords: poultry feeding, hens, broilers