Feeding Practices and Use of Lysine and Methionine in the Rationing of Poultry on Intensive Breeding in the West-Center and Hauts-Bassins Regions of Burkina Faso

The aim of the study was to take stock of poultry breeding practices, knowledge and use of synthetic lysine and methionine in intensive poultry breeding in the cities of Koudougou and Bobo-Dioulasso in Burkina Faso. To achieve this, a cross-sectional and retrospective survey targeting all intensive poultry breeding in the 2 localities was administered to breeding. A Discriminant Factorial Analysis (DFA) was used to confirm a k-means classification of the data collected, and resulted in the selection of 52 breeding divided into three breeding classes designated A, B and C. The results show that poultry breeding was practiced by young men (93.3% of respondents) and women (6.7%). Average flock sizes were 1271 ± 424 head, 2980 ± 1273 head and 13,250 ± 2013 head for Classes A, B and C respectively. Breeders produced broilers, eggs or broiler + eggs for Class A, and eggs exclusively for Classes B and C. Synthetic lysine and methionine were known to Class A (13.3%) and C (100%) breeders, and unknown to Class B breeders. Only Class A breeders used lysine and methionine in their formulas, in proportions of 0.22% and 0.25% respectively. All breeding classes practiced intensive breeding with stratification evolving from Class A to Class C. Knowledge and use of lysine and methionine, two essentials but limiting amino acids for monogastric pigs and poultry, were low in the study area. Concentrates used by Class A and B breeders appear to be palliatives to the non-use of synthetic lysine and methionine. The development and use of lysineand methioninerich concentrates based on local ingredients is necessary to meet the needs of poultry and breeders for these limiting amino acids. Further work will be devoted to this perspective.