Evaluation of Guinea Fowl Production Systems in Communities of Kebbi State

This study evaluates guinea fowl production systems and documents the socioeconomic importance of guinea fowl farming in communities of Kebbi State, North West Nigeria. Guinea fowl is an indigenous semi-wild bird widely kept in northern Nigerian communities for its meat, which commands premium prices in urban markets and during festive occasions. Despite its cultural and economic significance, guinea fowl production in Kebbi State is minimally researched and receives limited extension support. This study uses a descriptive survey design, collecting data from 100 guinea fowl-keeping households in Argungu, Gwandu, and Suru local government areas through structured questionnaires and community focus groups. Variables documented include flock sizes, management systems, reproduction practices, disease challenges, marketing patterns, and household income contributions. Descriptive statistics and focus group thematic analysis are applied. Findings reveal that guinea fowl are managed exclusively under extensive free-range conditions with no supplementary feeding in 82 percent of surveyed households. Average flock size is 28 birds per household, supplemented during market periods by wild-sourced keets hatched under domestic hens. Newcastle disease causes average annual mortality of 52 percent in unsupplemented flocks, representing the primary productivity constraint. Guinea fowl meat sells at a premium of 65 to 80 percent above domestic chicken, creating strong market incentives for production improvement. The study concludes that semi-intensive guinea fowl production with supplementary feeding and Newcastle disease vaccination could dramatically improve household income in Kebbi State communities. It recommends a community guinea fowl improvement demonstration programme.

Keywords: guinea fowl, production systems, Kebbi State, Newcastle disease, income generation.