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

Abstract

The nutritional quality of feed resource available to indigenous or local scavenging chickens reared in four villages (Mbiabam-Ibiono, Ekpene-Ukim, Ibiaku-Issiet and Utu-Abak) in Akwa Ibom State, southern Nigeria using their crop contents was assessed. A total of 56 local chickens (cocks and hens) purchased from the four villages were slaughtered, defeathered and eviscerated. Their full crop contents were collected separately, oven dried at 70°C to constant weights and subjected to proximate, mineral and vitamin analyses. Data obtained were analyzed using descriptive statistics and ANOVA. The weight of fresh crop contents (16.5 – 36.67g) and their dry matter (32.27 – 52.17%) varied significantly. The crude protein-CP (13.27 – 14.18%), ether extract (5.50 – 5.95%), ash (3.57 – 3.98%) and the crude fibre (3.10 – 3.45%) levels of the crop contents also varied significantly across villages. The CP and apparent metabolizable energy levels were lower than the reported levels and requirements for optimal performance of Nigerian indigenous chicken. Minerals (mg/100g) determined were calcium (233.30 – 235.8), iron (11.70 – 12.13), potassium (33.33 – 36.17), magnesium (43.0 – 46.67), manganese (0.043 – 0.053) and phosphorus (170.8 – 180.0); while vitamins (mg/100g) measured were ascorbic acid (14.55 – 14.92), thiamine (0.082 – 0.118), riboflavin (0.128 – 0.163), niacin (2.20 – 2.36) and β-carotene (36.87 – 43.33) that varied significantly except for calcium and magnesium that were similar. The minerals and riboflavin levels in the scavenged feed could not meet the birds’ requirements.  Local birds’ diet need to be supplemented daily with concentrate or ration from locally available feed ingredients to meet their nutritional requirements for optimal performance. Awareness creation on the importance of supplementary feeding to alleviate poverty and malnutrition among the subsistent rural poultry farmers is vital.

Keywords: Feed resource, proximate, minerals and vitamin composition, nutrient requirements

DOI: 10.7176/ALST/76-06

Publication date:November 30^th 2019