Traditional poultry farming in Morocco: management practices and flock performance in Khemisset and Skhirate-Temara

Background: Traditional poultry farming plays a vital role in rural Morocco. However, management systems are informal and there is limited data on the performance of local Beldi chickens. Aim: This study aims to characterize backyard poultry farming practices and assess the zootechnical performance of Beldi chickens in two contrasting regions: Khemisset, where backyard poultry farming is widespread; and Skhirate-Temara, known for intensive commercial poultry production, which exists alongside the traditional sector. Methods: A field survey was conducted from November 2020 to March 2022, involving 320 randomly selected households (179 in Khemisset and 141 in Skhirate-Temara). Data were collected from face-toface interviews using a semi-structured questionnaire. Further data were gathered from on-farm observations and direct measurements of poultry. A total of 240 hens and 134 roosters were weighed using digital scales. In addition, 200 eggs were weighed and measured for length and width using a vernier caliper. Descriptive statistics and Chi-square tests were applied to analyze flock composition, management practices and productivity. Results: The results showed that 86% of poultry farms were managed by women, with a high illiteracy rate (76%) among farmers. Local chickens represented 84% of poultry flocks, with an average flock size of 25 birds per household. Feeding relied mainly on scavenging, supplemented with barley, stale bread and household wastes. Juvenile mortality was 64%, largely due to inadequate chick-rearing practices. Hens laid an average of 79 eggs per year, with a mean egg weight of 54.3 ± 5.4 g. Body weight averaged 1407 ± 291.9 g in hens and 1758 ± 335.2 g in roosters, with slight regional variations. Health management was poor, with 96% of farmers reporting frequent disease outbreaks. Only 5.4% of farmers had I access to veterinary practitioners. Biosecurity measures were minimal. Disease control was primarily based on traditional remedies or the use of antibiotics with no veterinary supervision. These findings highlight significant challenges for poultry production, including high mortality rates, poor housing, inadequate feeding and poor health management. Conclusions: Addressing these issues by developing management strategies to improve biosecurity and veterinary access is essential to enhance the sustainability and productivity of backyard poultry farming in Morocco.