Assessing Nutrient Adequacy from the Crop Contents of Free-Ranging Indigenous Chickens in Rural Villages of the Venda Region of South Africa

Abstract

The aim of the study was to evaluate the nutritional status of scavenging chickens by assessing the composition of their crop contents. The study was conducted on 288 free-ranging indigenous chickens from six adjacent rural villages in Venda region of South Africa over three seasons (autumn, winter and spring). The chickens consumed grains, kitchen waste, seeds from the environment, plant materials, worms and insects, and some undistinguishable materials. Household waste accounted for 78.6%, 91.1% and 75.8% and materials of animal origin, including insects and worms, accounted for 7.4%, 10.4% and 16% of the crop content in autumn, winter and spring, respectively. Grains and kitchen waste consumption and macro-and micro-nutrient concentrations varied with season. The crude protein (CP) level of the crop contents of adult chickens in all seasons and the calcium and phosphorus levels in winter corresponded with the requirements of poultry for maintenance and growth, but not egg production. Supplementation of CP to young birds in all seasons and calcium and phosphorus in autumn and spring might be necessary to improve their growth. Concentrations of copper, manganese, zinc and cobalt were above the requirements of poultry, but below their maximum tolerance levels (MTL). Iron concentrations ranged from 2907 mg/kg DM to 6424 mg/kg DM, which are well above MTL, suggesting potential detrimental effects on the birds if the iron in the crop contents is bioavailable. Aluminium concentrations ranged from 2256 mg/kg DM to 4192 mg/kg DM, though aluminium is considered non-toxic. It was concluded that the birds would not suffer from micro-mineral deficiencies, and that a risk of toxicity would depend on the bioavailability of the consumed element. ______________________________________________________________________________________

Assessment of the nutritional quality of crop contents of scavenging local chickens in Akwa Ibom state of Nigeria

“…This also explains the higher Apparent Metabolizable Energy-AME (3502 -3523kcal) and true ME (3807 -3830kcd/kg). The % NFE in crop content of scavenging chicken obtained in this study corroborate the findings (53.5 -64.9% NFE) of Raphulu et al;(2010) in South Africa, and Goromela et al, (2008) in Tanzania but higher than 44.73 -56.26% NFE reported by Hayet et al, 2016 andMomoh et al, 2010 for indigenous chickens of Ethiopia and North Central Nigeria.…”

“…The phosphorus levels obtained were within the range of values (140±60 -530mgP/100g100DM) reported for crop contents of local birds of North central Nigeria by Momoh et al, (2010). However, the phosphorus content of local birds diet in the study is lower than what obtained (310 - (Rashid et al, 2004 and2005;Goromela et al, 2008;Raphulu et al, 2015;and Hayet et al;2016). The phosphorus content of the feed consumed by birds in four villages of Akwa Ibom state of Nigeria were also lower than the requirements for broilers (0.3 -0.45% or 300 -450mgP/100gDM) and layers (0.25 -0.35% or 250 -350mgP/100gDM) recommended by NRC (1994).…”

“…12.3.±6.71 and 12.4.±5.51% of ash indicated by for grower and layer scavenging indigenous chickens of Seka Chekorsa of Ethiopia. Higher value for ash of local chicken crop contents (8.40 -26.15%) were also reported by Hayet et al, (2016), Raphulu et al, (2015), Momoh et al, (2010), Goromela et al, (2008) for scavenging indigenous chicken in North central Nigeria, south Africa, Ethiopia and Tanzania. The variation in ash content can be attributed to the type of soil, level of humus on the top soil and the inclusion of sand and other inorganic elements that were quantified as crude ash during proximate analysis.…”

“…The value obtained for crude fat level of crop content is similar to values reported (5.12±16 -6.55±3.47%) reported for the crop content of indigenous chicken of North central Nigeria. However the values were higher than the range of values (2.97 -5.09% EE) reported in other works (Hayet et al, 2016;Rashid, et al, 2004 and2005;Raphulu et al, 2015) in other countries. The ether extract component of feed is a good source of energy, fatty acids especially the essential fatty and (linoleic acid) for poultry growth, development and optimal production.…”

“…The crude fibre of crop contents of birds from Mbiabam (3.45) was similar to those of Utu-Abak (3.4%) but significantly higher than those of Ekpene -Ukim (3.1%) and Ibiaku-Issiet (3.2%) that were also similar. The crude fibre levels obtained in this study were lower than (5%) that is recommended (Feltwell and Fox, 1978) for commercial layer rations, though within the range of values (3.29 -3.69% CF) reported (Raphulu et al, 2015) for crop content of local birds in rural villages of the Venda region of South Africa. The values were also lower than the values (3.87 -11.92% CF) reported (Rashid et al 2004;2005);Hayet et al, 2016;Momoh et al;2010;Goromela et al; for scavenging indigenous chickens of Bangladesh, North central Nigeria, Ethropia, Tanzania at grower and layer stages.…”