The aim of the study was to gather information on the use of termites by farmers as feed for indigenous poultry in Ghana and factors affecting its use. We conducted surveys in four regions in Ghana to collect information, by the administration of questionnaires, on the use of termites as poultry feed, termite species collected, species not used and collection methods. Samples of termite species mentioned were collected and identified to the genus level. Twenty-three percent and 19% of farmers mentioned that termites are always or often used to feed poultry whereas 11% never use termites. A binomial regression analysis showed that their utilization was affected by region, sex, education, farm size and income. Termites collected belonged to eight genera, the main ones being Macrotermes, Trinervitermes and Odontotermes. Five collection methods are used to obtain termites and involve either breaking mounds or using containers as traps. Collection methods vary with species and region and the abundance of termite genera varies with season. Farmers identified some species as poisonous to poultry. Termites are important in indigenous poultry production because they are a readily available protein source for local farmers. However, better collection methods need to be developed to aid their optimal use.

In order to assess the impact of larval meal on guinea fowl, six iso-caloric and iso-nitrogenous diets were fed to day-old-keets ad libitum till 8 weeks of age. Water was also freely provided. The fishmeal (FM) component of the experimental diets was replaced with black soldier fly larval meal (BSFLM) in the following percentage ratios of 0-100%. Results showed that body weight gain significantly (P < 0.05) increased in all the BSFLM treatment groups compared to the control group. The final body weight of the birds at age 8 weeks differed significantly (P < 0.001). Dry matter intake varied (P < 0.001) slightly among the birds but never affected (P > 0.05) ME intake and faecal output as well as weight changes of the keets. Digestibility of dry matter and energy were not affected (P > 0.05) by the differences in diet. Organ and haematopoietic integrity were assured regardless of the protein types used as well as levels of inclusion. The results suggest that the replacement of fishmeal with BSFLM in so far as the economics of production is concerned could result in reduced feed cost for starter guinea keet judging from diets that contained 60-100% BSFLM.

A study was undertaken to predict the correlation between egg weight and egg characteristics in quail. Data was collected on 102 eggs collected from female quails at 28 weeks. Eggs were numbered, weighed and classified into six egg weight groups: below 9.

Feed cost has been a major challenge to the competitiveness of the poultry industry of Ghana due mainly to high cost of proteins. Insect larvae meals seem convenient alternatives however their use on commercial scale is unknown in Ghana. Three 8-week feeding trial using three isonitrogenous, isocaloric diets in a three-phase feeding strategy involving 1320 broiler DOCs was conducted. BSFLM was used as replacement for fishmeal and as partial replacement for soybean meal to determine its effect on broiler productivity, profitability and carcass measurements. The results indicated that replacing fishmeal with BSFLM significantly improved weight gain, feed conversion efficiency and production efficiency factor (PEF). No detrimental effect was observed on carcass and specific organ measurements. Using the partial budgeting approach on a 500-bird estimation an increase of one thousand, one hundred and eleven Ghana cedis (GH₵1,111.00) was obtained when the fishmeal was replaced with BSFLM. Also, an increase of four hundred and sixty-seven Ghana cedis (GH₵467.00) was estimated when soybean meal was partially replaced with BSFLM. It was concluded that BSFLM can be used to improve the productivity and profitability of broiler production.

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The study assessed the effects of age and egg size on egg shape, egg weight loss, hatchability and growth of Japanese quail. A total of 198 eggs from a breeder flock at 40, 43 and 46 weeks of age were categorised as light, medium and large. Egg shape index was analysed using Histogram with Fit and Groups. Data were subjected to two-way Analysis of Variance using General Linear Model procedure of Minitab (version 18) at 5% Least Significant Difference. Egg weight loss was not different in the younger birds but changed significantly at 46 th week on the 6 th and 12 th days of incubation. Egg weight loss significantly changed between the light and medium-sized eggs. Fertility was significantly affected by egg size. Age and egg size did not change hatchability but significantly affected hatching weight. Chick growth varied significantly at day 14 in eggs collected at week 40. Chick growth significantly increased across the days as egg size increased. The least shape index (77.3%) was recorded in the heavy and medium eggs at 40 and 46 weeks of age. Fertility, hatchability, chick growth and mortality can be affected by age of quails and size of quail eggs.