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Performance of Layers Supplemented with Either Complete Feed or Diets in Cafeteria Feeding System Under Semi–scavenging Condition in a Tropical Environment

Chamali DAS
Corresponding author:
Graduate School of Bioresource and Bioenvironmental Sciences, Kyushu University, Fukuoka 812–8581, Japan

Bimol Chandra ROY
Bangladesh Livestock Research Institute, Savar, Dhaka, Bangladesh

Hans RANVIG
Department of Animal Husbandry and Animal Health, The Royal Veterinary and Agricultural University, Denmark

Jens Christian RIISE
Network for Smallholder Poultry Development, The Veterinary and Agricultural University, Denmark

Sachchidananda Das CHOWDHURY
Department of Poultry Science, Bangladesh Agricultural University, Mymensingh, Bangladesh

Hisao IWAMOTO
Professor Emeritus, Faculty of Agriculture, Kyushu University, Fukuoka 812–8581, Japan

Shoji TABATA
Professor Emeritus, Faculty of Agriculture, Kyushu University, Fukuoka 812–8581, Japan

Abstract/ Executive Summary:

Egg production ability and its economical aspect were compared among the hens kept under semi–scavenging conditions on two feeding systems with four supplementary levels. Commercial balanced feed and cafeteria feeding diet were fed the hens at 40 g, 60 g, 80 g and 120 g/day respectively. The cafeteria feeding diet was composed of 70% mixed feed (40% broken rice, 20% rice polish and 10% wheat bran), 27% soybean meal and 3% oyster shard. 2. The mean feed residue was 4–8 g/day in the hens fed 40 g and 60 g feed group and in 120 g feed group of both feeding systems was about 20 g. Bodyweight gain in the experimental period markedly varied but did not differ among the feed groups. 3. Hen day egg production was highest in the 120 g commercial feed group (55%), followed by the 120 g cafeteria feeding group (45%) and the 80 g commercial feed group (42%). The other feed groups showed 34–37% in hen day egg production except for 27% of the 40 g commercial feed group. Egg quality did not have an intimate relation with the different feed regimes. 4. Regardless of the low egg production ability, the 40 g cafeteria feeding group produced the highest net profit and the 80 g cafeteria feeding group produced the second-highest profit. These high net profits were brought from low feed cost. However, the highest income was observed in the 120 g commercial feed group. 5. From these results, it was suggested that under semi–scavenging conditions supplemented feeds improve the egg production ability of hens in parallel with the feeding volume although large volume diet decreases large profit.

Keywords: Semi–scavenging, Supplementation strategy, Hens, Rural farmers, Cafeteria, Feeding system

Location: The southern part of Bangladesh

Start Date:

End Date:

Program Area: Animal Health and Management

Commodity: Hen, Feed, Socio-economic status

Objectives:

To assess the effect of semi–scavenging on diet selection for the development of an appropriate supplementation strategy in the hens of rural farmers. Cafeteria feeding system and commercial balanced diet feeding was compared on the performance of hens.

Methodology:

Experimental hens and Housing: This experiment was carried out during 15 weeks period including 2 weeks of adaptation in the rainy season using farmer’s homesteads in the southern part of Bangladesh. Farmers were selected on the basis of sincerity and interest in the present work and were given a training program about poultry husbandry. Hens of 33 weeks old were used and the 120 chickens were divided into 8 dietary treatment groups with 3 subgroups in each. Each treatment group was composed of 15 birds and each subgroup of 5 birds was reared by each farmer. The hens of each group were supplemented with 40 g, 60 g, 80 g and 120 g of either the commercial balanced feed or the cafeteria feeding diets respectively under semi–scavenging condition. In the cafeteria feeding system, mixed feed as energy source, soybean meal and oyster shard were given by separate compartments of the feeder. Clean water was provided ad libitum throughout the experimental period. The day shelter (1.2×0.7 m2 , 0.17 m2 per hen) was constructed with bamboo, wood and straw, and was equipped with a bamboo feeder with three compartments and a plastic water container. Then, a perch of bamboo and one round laying nest made by mud was set inside the house. However, the night shelter basket was kept inside farmer’s house. Feeds: The commercial balanced feed (layer feed in pellet) and individual feed ingredients for cafeteria feeding such as broken rice, rice polish, wheat bran, soybean meal and oyster shard were purchased in local market. The cafeteria feeding diets were prepared in the following composition; energy source feeds (total 70%, mixed feed of 40% broken rice, 20% rice polish and 10% wheat bran), protein source ingredient (27%, soybean meal) and calcium source ingredient (3%, oyster shard). Samples of these feeds were analyzed in the Department of Livestock Services (Dhaka, Bangladesh) for the determination of metabolizable energy (ME), dry matter (DM), crude protein (CP), crude fat (CF), ether extract (EE), and ash according to the procedures of AOAC (1990). Production performance: Quantitative and qualitative traits of egg production were observed using the hens of 35 to 47 weeks old. Bodyweight was measured weekly and feed residue (wastage and leftover) was recorded monthly. Egg was observed daily and hen day egg production (%) was calculated from the total number of eggs and the total days of hens alive in each of the subgroups throughout the period (North and Bell, 1990). Average egg mass (g) per hen per day was calculated by multiplying the percentage of hen day egg production with average egg weight (g). Mortality was recorded. Two eggs per week were selected at random in each group and supplied for measuring egg weight, shard weight and thickness, albumin height, and yolk height and diameter. Haugh unit (HU) and yolk index were calculated with the formulas of Haugh (1937) and Wesley and Stadelman (1959) respectively. Yolk color was determined with Roche yolk color fan (RYC, F. Hoffman–Ia Roche and Ltd., Switzerland) (Vuilleumier, 1969). Experimental design and statistical analysis: Data of factor one; feeding systems (complete diet feeding and cafeteria feeding) and factor two; supplementary levels of feed volume (40, 60, 80 and 120 g/day/ hen) were arranged and compared with two–way ANOVA. However, as no significant difference between the feeding systems and no interaction between the feeding systems and levels were observed except for yolk color index, data were compared with one–way ANOVA, followed by Duncan’s multiple range test. A probability of p<0.05 was considered to show significant differences.

Source of Information: J. Fac. Agr., Kyushu Univ., 53 (2), 435–440 (2008)

Article Link (Online Journal):

Funding Source:

Total Budget (Tk.) :

Achievement/Findings:

In conclusion, under semi–scavenging conditions in a tropical country, the commercial balanced feed could markedly improve the egg production when enough volume (120 g or 80 g) of the feed was supplemented. However, the balanced feed did not always bring large profits because of its high price. On the other hand, although the cafeteria feeding diet was cheaper, it could not counterbalance the feed cost by improving the egg production with increasing the feeding volume and brought the highest profit by feeding at the least supplemented level (40 g).

Knowledge Management: Journal