Effects of Energy and Protein Supplementation on the Production and Economic Efficiency of Scavenging Improved (Tamhoang) and Local (Ri) Breed Hens under Smallholder Conditions in North Vietnam

Abstract

The objectives of this study were to evaluate the effects of supplementing maize meal and soybean meal, separately or mixed, on egg production performance of two breeds of scavenging hens under on-farm conditions. Treatments were: (1) confined, with a mixed feed (75% maize meal and 25% soybean meal) ad libitum (CMF); (2) scavenging, with a supplement of 60 g/bird per day of maize meal (ScM); (3) scavenging, with a supplement of 25 g/bird per day of soybean meal (ScS); (4) scavenging, with 54 g/ bird per day of the mixed feed (ScMF). Mean hen-day production was 21.8%, 19.8%, 17.7% and 22.8% for the CMF, ScM, ScS and ScMF treatments, respectively (p <0.05), and was significantly (p <0.001) higher for the improved Tamhoang breed (24.4%) than for the local Ri hens (16.7%). Mean egg weight was significantly higher for the Tamhoang (53.2 g) compared to the Ri hens (45.0 g) (p<0.01). Feed consumption per kilogram of eggs was significantly higher for the CMF treatment compared to the other treatments and was lower for the ScS compared to the other scavenging treatments (p <0.05). Feed cost per kilogram of eggs was lowest for the ScM treatment and was 30 to 40% higher for the confined treatment compared to the scavenging treatments. Feed consumption and cost of feed per kilogram of eggs were significantly lower for the Tamhoang than for the Ri hens.

Digestibility and digestive organ development in indigenous and improved chickens and ducks fed diets with increasing inclusion levels of cassava leaf meal

“…When expressed as per kg body weight, the DM intake of the indigenous breeds was higher than of the improved breeds. Recently Minh et al (2004) reported that an improved layer breed in Vietnam had higher DM intakes than an indigenous breed, but this could have been a result of their higher egg production.…”