Typology of local turkey (Meleagris gallopavo) farms in West Atacora and South Borgou agro-ecological zones in Benin

Abstract

Knowledge of poultry farming systems is an asset for effective intervention in the livestock. This study aims to characterize local turkey (Meleagris gallopavo) farms in two agro-ecological zones in northern Benin. For this purpose, a survey was conducted among 288 turkey farmers in the Western Atacora zone and Southern Borgou food zone. The data collected related to socio-demographic characteristics, herd structure and management, and the main constraints related to turkey rearing. Using the methods of factorial analysis of multiple correspondences (FAMC) and ascending hierarchical classification (AHC), a typology of three types of turkey rearing was established. Type 1 farms consisting of 55.6% of the sample are located in the Western Atacora zone. They all practice breeding wandering. In this type of breeding, there is no shelter for animals, no choice of breeding and the complementation is reduced to the use of the remains of cooked. Type II farms consisted of 36.8% of the sample and were mainly located in Southern Borgou food zone. In this type of breeding, the mode of breeding is also the wandering, but with the presence of henhouses of traditional type. The animals are supplemented with cereal grains in addition to remains of cooked and are vaccinated. Type III farms (improved traditional farms) are mainly located in the southern Borgou food zone and represent 7.6% of the sample. Poultry farming is the main activity of all farmers. The size of the turkey flock of this type is the highest. The farming mode adopted is semi-confined. All animals of this type are vaccinated and dewormed. The disease is the main constraint of the three types of breeding. The characterization of these farms will make it possible to propose integrated development actions.

Keywords: Breeding system, characterization, turkey, Benin