Effect of Dietary Crude Protein Levels on Egg Production, Hatchability and Post-Hatch Offspring Performance of Indigenous Chickens

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1 International Journal of Poultry Science 9 (4): , 2010 ISSN Asian Network for Scientific Information, 2010 Effect of Dietary Crude Protein Levels on Egg Production, Hatchaility and Post-Hatch Offspring Performance of Indigenous Chickens A.M. Kingori, J.K. Tuitoek, H.K. Muiruri and A.M. Wachira Department of Animal Sciences, Egerton University, P.O. Box , Egerton, Kenya 2 Kenya Agricultural Research Institute, P.O. Box , Naivasha, Kenya 1 Astract: Indigenous chickens in Kenya are estimated to e 21.5 million and are found in all e ecological zones in e country. They are 75% of e poultry population and produce 46 and 58% of e egg and meat, respectively. These levels of production are comparatively low compared to eir numers. The low productivity of indigenous chickens in Kenya and oer parts of e world is partly attriuted to poor management practices, in particular e lack of proper healcare, poor nutrition and housing. This study was designed to determine e effects of dietary protein levels on egg production, hatchaility and post-hatch offspring feed intake, feed efficiency and grow rate of indigenous chickens. Seventy two hens averaging 46 weeks in age, were offered four diets formulated from similar ingredients ut differing in protein levels: 100, 120, 140 and 170 g CP/kg DM. Diets were randomly allocated to hens such at each diet had nine replicates each consisting of two hens. The hens were housed in attery cages and diets offered ad-liitum. Laying percentage, egg weight and feed intake were measured over an 8-week period. There was an increase (p<0.05) in egg weight from g and laying percentage from % wi increasing protein levels from g CP/kg DM, ut not (p>0.05) at 120 and 140 g CP/kg DM. The laying percentage of hens offered 170 g CP/kg DM was lower (p<0.05) an at of hens offered 100 g CP/kg DM (22 vs %), alough feed intake was similar for all e levels of CP. Hatchaility of e 328 fertile eggs set in an electric incuator ranged from 66-73% while chicks weighed from g for e four levels of CP tested. The level of CP had no pronounced effects (p>0.05) on offspring feed intake (51-56 g), live weight gain ( g / day) and feed conversion efficiency ( ). It is, erefore, concluded at e dietary crude protein requirement for laying indigenous hens is aout 120 g CP/kg and maternal dietary protein level has no effect on hatchaility and post-hatch offspring feed intake, feed efficiency and grow rate. The findings will help in e formulation of indigenous chicken layer diet wi e appropriate protein content. Key words: Indigenous chickens, crude protein, feed intake, feed efficiency INTRODUCTION Indigenous chickens in Kenya are estimated to e 21.5 million, are kept y aout 90% of e population and are found in all e ecological zones in e country. They are 75% of e poultry population and produce 46 and 58% of e egg and meat, respectively (MOLFD, 2004). These levels of production are comparatively low compared to eir numers. The low productivity of indigenous chickens in Kenya and oer parts of e world is partly attriuted to poor management practices, in particular e lack of proper healcare, poor nutrition and housing (Mwalusanya et al., 2001). The irds depend primarily on scavenging feed resources, which may e highly variale and inadequate in nutrient supply. The productivity of indigenous chickens can, erefore, e increased rough improved management, especially targeting nutrition rough supplementation (Ndegwa et al., 1996). To supplement appropriately, e nutrient requirements of indigenous chickens need to e known. The dietary protein requirement for laying irds has een estimated at g/kg for light and medium sized exotic irds (Harms et al., 1966; NRC, 1984). Fertility and hatchaility are usually e major parameters of reproductive performance at are most sensitive to genetic and environmental influences (Stromerg, 1975). However, information on e protein requirements of laying indigenous chickens and its effect on fertility and hatchaility is scarce. This study determined e influence of varying dietary protein levels on laying, hatching and post-hatching performance of offsprings of indigenous chickens. Experiment 1: This experiment studied e influence of dietary protein level of e hens on hen weight, egg production and weight. MATERIALS AND METHODS Animals, housing and experimental design: Seventy two indigenous hens at e age of 46 weeks were used in a completely randomized design. Two irds were Corresponding Auor: J.K. Tuitoek, Department of Animal Sciences, Egerton University, P.O. Box , Egerton, Kenya 324

2 each randomly allocated to 36 attery cages measuring (40 x 45 x 40cm) wi e floor sloping towards e front. Dietary treatments - 100, 120, 140 and 170 g CP/kg DM were randomly allocated to e 36 cages such at each diet was replicated 9 times. The cage was e experimental unit. The experimental duration was 8 weeks. Feeds, feeding, data collection and analysis: The experimental diets (Tale 1) were offered for 8 weeks. The layer diet for every cage was weighed into a plastic paper ag and was offered ad-liitum. This feed was put into e feed trough, ensuring at it was halfway full to avoid spillage. At e end of e week, e feed alance in e trough and e paper ag were collected and weighed. The feed intake per cage was calculated as e difference etween feed weighed for e cage minus e feed alance in e trough and e paper ag. Drinking water was supplied at all times. Hen weight and egg production were taken weekly, while egg production per cage was recorded daily. A random sample of a tray of eggs for each dietary treatment was weighed weekly. Chemical analysis of e feed was carried out according e procedures of AOAC (1995). All data were analyzed using e General Linear Model (Genstat 5, 1995). Significant means were separated using e Least Significant Difference (Steel and Torrie, 1980). Tale 1: Composition of layer diets Diet (quantities in g/kg) Ingredient Maize Corn gluten meal Fishmeal Limestone Di-calcium phosphate Iodised salt *Premix Crude protein (analyzed) *Each g contains:- Vitamins: A-4500 I.u, D3-900 I.u, E- 8 I.u, k3-1 mg, B1-0.7 mg, B mg, B6-1.5 mg, B mg, C mg, Nicotinic acid mg, Pantoenic acid mg, Biotin mg, Folic acid mg, Choline Chloride mg, Caropyll (R+Y) - 13 mg, Minerals: Mn - 48 mg, Fe mg, Zn Cu mg, Co mg, Iodine mg, Se-0.04 mg. Experiment 2: This experiment studied e influence of e maternal dietary protein level on hatchaility and post-hatch offspring performance of indigenous chickens. Animals, housing, feeding and incuation of eggs: Eighty indigenous hens, at e age of 50 weeks were used. They were housed in eight deep litter pens (2x2 m), each wi 10 hens and 1 cock. They were offered diets shown in Tale 1 for two weeks efore collecting Tale 2: Egg weights, numer of eggs incuated and chicks hatched per dietary treatment Diet* Analyzed CP (g/kg) Egg weight (g) No. of eggs incuated First candling (7 day) No. of infertile eggs No. of dead emryos Second candling (18 day) Dead emryos Eggs hatched (%) * see Tale 1 for description of e diets. fertile eggs. The eggs were collected for 10 days, graded and set in an incuator (Tale 2). Candling was done on e 7 and 18 day and e eggs were transferred into a hatcher on e 18 day. nd Harvesting of chicks was on e 22 day. Rearing of e chicks: Day old chicks were weighed after harvesting and reared in an electric rooder for four weeks. They were sujected to e standard feeding regime y offering starter diet for e first 7 weeks and ereafter a grower diet for 7 weeks (Tale 3). Standard vaccinations against Marek s, Newcastle and Fowl pox diseases were carried out. From e 8 week, 40 offsprings from each dietary treatment were randomly allocated to attery cages. Each treatment was replicated 4 times. There were 5 cockerels and 5 pullets per cage. Weekly ird weight, feed intake and efficiency were recorded per cage for 9 weeks (up to 17 weeks of age). All data were sujected to a covariance analysis wi e initial ird weight as e covariale (Genstat 5, 1995). Significant means were separated using e Least Significant Difference (Steel and Torrie, 1980). RESULTS The results for experiment one at investigated e influence of dietary protein level on egg production, egg weight, hen weight and feed intake are presented in Tale 4. Egg production, expressed as laying percentage was %. This was similar (p>0.05) etween hens fed diets containing 100 and 140 g CP/kg ut lower (p<0.05) for ose fed a diet containing 170 g/kg CP. Egg weight increased (p<0.05) etween 100 and 120 g CP/kg. The 100 and 170 g CP/kg diets had similar egg weights (p>0.05) ut different egg production (p<0.05). Egg production was lowest (22.1%) for 170 g CP/kg. There was no dietary treatment effect (p>0.05) on feed intake and hen weight. The results for experiment two at investigated e influence of dietary protein level on hatchaility and post- 325

3 Tale 3: Composition of Starter and Grower diets Proportion in diet (g/kg DM) Ingredient Starter Grower Maize Corn gluten meal Fishmeal Di-calcium phosphate Iodised salt 3 3 *Premix Crude protein *Each g contains:- Vitamins: A-4500 I.u, D3-900I.U, E - 8 I.u, K3-1 mg, B1-0.7 mg, B mg, B6-1.5 mg, B mg, C mg, Nicotinic acid mg, Pantoenic acid mg Biotin mg, Folic acid mg, Choline Chloride mg, Caropyll (R+Y) - 13 mg, Minerals: Mn - 48 mg, Fe mg, Zn Cu mg, Co mg, Iodine mg, Se-0.04 mg. Tale 4: Influence of dietary protein level on production characteristics of indigenous hens Dietary CP (g CP/kg DM) n Parameter Sed Laying (%) a Egg weight (g) a a Hen weight (kg) Feed intake (g/d) a,,c Means wiin a row wi different superscripts are different n (p< 0.05). = nine measurements per treatment. hatch offspring performance are presented in Tale 5. Dietary maternal protein level did not significantly (p>0.05) influence hatchaility, chick weight, feed intake and feed efficiency of e offspring. DISCUSSION This study comprised of two experiments. The first experiment studied e influence of dietary protein level of e hens on hen weight, egg production and weight while e second studied e influence of e maternal dietary protein level on hatchaility and post-hatch offspring performance of indigenous chickens. The results showed at hen weight was similar for e hens offered diets wi g CP/kg. This is an indication at e crude protein content of e 100 g CP/kg diet met e maintenance requirements. The results of is study are in agreement wi e findings of Leeson and Summers (1989) and Ahmed (2000) who reported at dietary protein levels ranging from g CP/kg had no effect on e ody weight of laying hens. The average feed intake of laying indigenous chickens in e current study was etween 74 and 83 g and was not influenced y e level of dietary protein. This finding is in agreement wi at of Cho et al. (2004) who reported no increase in feed intake in laying hens offered dried leftover feed wi additional protein ( g CP/kg). However, is is contrary to e findings of some studies (Weli and Morris, 1978; Gous et al., 1987) at have reported increased feed intake wi decreasing Tale 5: Influence of maternal dietary protein level on hatchaility and offspring performance of indigenous chickens Dietary maternal protein level (g CP/kg DM) Parameter* Sed Hatchaility (%) Chick weight (g) Offspring performance Av. daily gain (g/ird/d) Feed intake (g/ird/d) Feed efficiency (G/F) *Numer of irds per treatment = 40, Numer of replications per treatment = 4. concentrations of dietary amino acids (crude protein). Birds eat more food to compensate for marginal deficiency of e first limiting amino acid. It can, erefore, e concluded at a 100 g CP/kg diet is not marginally deficient in e first limiting amino acid for laying indigenous hens. Emmans (1987) proposed at irds have a genetically predetermined requirement for nutrients and consequently, eat to meet is requirement for e first limiting nutrient. In e current study, feed intake and efficiency were similar for all maternal dietary protein levels. The irds in e present study were of similar genetic make-up and were reared in similar environment. This possily explains why ey had similar feed intake. In e present study, egg production (laying percentage) was similar for hens offered diets containing etween 100 and 140 g CP/kg. It was, erefore, deduced at approximately a 100 g CP/kg diet met e crude protein requirements for laying indigenous chickens. This study found at altering dietary protein concentrations etween g CP/kg affected egg weight while Cho et al. (2004) reported no increase in egg weight in commercial layers offered diets wi protein etween 150 and 195 g CP/kg. Gous and Kleyn (1989) reported at e effect of altering e dietary amino acid concentrations was more severe on egg production an on egg weight. The similarity in egg production for hens fed diets containing g CP/kg in e present study suggest at hens offered e 100 g CP/kg diet were not in severe deficiency and at protein requirements for indigenous hens are lower an e level recommended y NRC (1984). However, e NRC (1984) recommendations are for hyrid hens at normally have higher protein requirements an indigenous hens. This is ecause exotic layers have a higher ody weight ( kg), egg production (80%) and egg weight (57-60 g) an indigenous hens at have kg, 22-44% and g ody, egg production and egg weight, respectively. The requirements for ese amino acids should also take account of e relationship etween amino acid intake and egg output, which are dependent on o feed intake and level of production (Gous and Kleyn, 1989). Any supply of amino acids at exceeds e requirement 326

4 for protein synesis leads to a decrease of efficiency study. Dessie (1996) reported hatchaility of Eiopian (Hiramoto et al., 1990). This may explain e decrease in local chickens ranging from % whereas egg production of e hens offered e 171 g CP/kg Mwalusanya et al. (2001) reported 83.6% for Tanzanian protein diet. Egg production was similar to at reported local chickens. The high hatchaility in e Tanzanian y Ndegwa et al. (1996) for indigenous chickens under chicken may e due to e high cock to hen ratio (1:5) improved conditions. The hens in at study had a laying compared to at of e present study (1:10). percentage of 41.1, while in e current study it was The weight of day-old chicks is directly proportional to 43.6%. Ramlah et al. (1994) reported similar egg egg weight. Al-Murrani (1978) found at chicks production (24.5%) for hens offered diets containing 120 hatched from large eggs were heavier an ose g CP/kg and 180 g CP/kg. This is in agreement wi e hatched from comparatively smaller eggs. Emryonic findings of e present study at dietary protein levels grow is largely affected y protein content and not y eyond 100 g/kg did not increase egg production. e space in e eggshell. More an 97% of e variation However, in e study y Ramlah et al. (1994), egg in chick weight at hatch is due to e fresh weight of e production was lower (24.5%) an in e present study egg and water loss during incuation (Tullet and Burton, (37.8%). 1982). Chick weight has een reported to range from 62- Fertility and hatchaility are parameters of reproductive 78% of e fresh egg weight (Merrit and Groove, 1965). performance at are most sensitive to genetic and Chicks hatched from large eggs (61.8 g) were 71% of environmental influences (Stromerg, 1975). Factors e fresh egg weight whereas ose hatched from affecting fertility and hatchaility include plane of smaller eggs (53.2 g) were 66% of e fresh egg weight. nutrition, conditions and leng of storage of eggs, ird Results from e present study are in agreement wi strain, egg quality and mating ratio (Stahl et al., 1986; ose of Merrit and Groove (1965) and Al-Murrani (1978). Peeles and Brakes 1987). Diet mainly affects e Chick weights in e current study ranged from 66-68% numer and size of eggs raer an eir composition of e fresh egg weight (43-47 g). Chemjor (1998) (Fisher, 1994). Egg size affects hatchaility (Neshiem reported chick weights at were 69-71% of e fresh and Card, 1972; Williamson and Payne, 1978; egg weight (43-45 g), which is in general agreement Mandlekar, 1981). Eggs wiin e weight range of wi e findings of Merrit and Groove (1965) and e g weight hatch etter an lighter ones (Mandlekar, present study. The day-old chick weights in is study 1981). Asuquo and Okon (1993) reported hatchaility of were similar (30-32 g) to ose of Nigerian local chicken large- (51-56 g), medium- (45-50 g) and small-sized and eir crosses wi e exotic egg and roiler type eggs- ( g) of 88.2, 84.8% and 72.1%, (Isika et al., 2006) ut higher an at reported for local respectively. In e current study, hatchaility ranged chickens of Eiopia ( g) y Halima (2007). from 66-73%, which is lower an for medium-sized It has een reported at grow in animals is influenced eggs reported y Asuquo and Okon (1993) ut similar y e genotype and e animal s environment (Carlson, for e smaller eggs. Hatchaility at 80-90% for Kenyan 1969; Isika et al., 2006). The grow rate ( g/d), indigenous chickens has een reported efore (MOALD feed intake ( g) and feed efficiency ( ) and M, 1993). Asuquo and Okon (1993) studied exotic of e growers in e current study were similar for all e chicken (Hypeco white roilers) and for e Kenyan maternal dietary protein levels. This is due to eir situation (MOALD and M, 1993), e figures reported are similarity in genetics and environmental conditions in mainly for exotic chicken In Kenya, as much of e which ey were reared (Tale 5). These parameters documentation has een on e commercial poultry (grow rate, feed intake and efficiency) are similar to sector. Exotic chicken lay large eggs (55-57 g) at have ose of growers of local Nigerian chicken offered diets een reported to have a higher hatchaility an smaller containing 200 and 240 g CP/kg (Isika et al., 2006). eggs. The hatchaility figures reported y Mandlekar However, e Nigerian local chicken growers had (1981) for large eggs are in agreement wi ose of significantly lower ody weight and feed conversion rate Kenyan hyrid chicken at produce eggs wi a weight an local x egg type and e local x roiler type growers of g. Few studies have een done for e offered similar diets (200 and 240 g CP/kg). This indigenous chickens. Ndirangu et al. (Pers. Com.) indicates at e local chicken genotype had a negative compared e hatchaility of eggs of indigenous influence on grow and feed conversion rate. The chickens in Kenya otained from Kericho, Nyeri and growers in is study had a mean grow rate of 7.8 g Taita-Taveta districts and reported a range of 50-60% per ird per day. This was lower an at reported y while Chemjor (1998) reported a hatchaility of 41-48% Chemjor (1998) where grow rate was 11.4 g/ird/day for a similar flock. This is lower an at reported for for indigenous chickens at a similar age. Mwalusanya et exotic chickens in e country (MOALD and M, 1993). The al. (2001) reported a mean grow rate of 9.3 g per day difference might e due to e meod of fertilisation. etween weeks of age. Chemjor (1998) used artificial insemination to fertilise The growers in e current study had a mean ody e hens while natural mating was used in e current weight of g at e 17 weeks whereas Chemjor 327

5 (1998) reported a mean ody weight of g at a Dessie, T., Studies on Village Poultry Production similar age. Protein intake was 8.6 g/ird/day and feed Systems in e Central Highlands of Eiopia. MSc efficiency 0.14 compared to 6.9 g/ird/day and 0.20, esis. Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, respectively, in e study y Chemjor (1998). Crude Uppsala, Sweden., pp: 70. protein intake in e present study was, erefore, higher Emmans, G.C., Grow, ody composition and ut efficiency (gain: feed) was lower an in e Chemjor feed intake. Worlds Poult. Sci. J., 43: (1998) study. This difference could e due to e higher ody weight of irds in e current study, which have a higher maintenance requirement and consequently, a lower feed efficiency. Moughan (1989) reported at maintenance requirement is a function of ody weight and e protein requirement for maintenance has to e met efore e synesis of new ody proteins. Conclusions: The results suggest at e dietary crude protein requirement for laying indigenous hens is aout 120 g/kg and e maternal dietary protein has no effect on hatchaility and post-hatch feed intake, feed efficiency and grow rate. This information will e useful in e formulation of indigenous layer chicken diets wi e appropriate protein content. ACKNOWLEDGEMENT We very much appreciate e financial support from e Agricultural Research Fund (ARF) to undertake is study. We would like to ank e Centre Director KARI- Naivasha, e Staff of e Poultry Unit of KARI-Naivasha and Pitty Nyawira who assisted in data collection. We would also like to ank e Management of Kenrid Farms-Naivasha, for eir assistance in preparing e experimental diets. We also acknowledge e contriutions of Drs. I.S. Kosgey and B.O. Bee for eir editorial input in preparing is manuscript. REFERENCES Ahmed, S.H., The use of step-down and modified constant protein feeding systems in developing pullets reared in hot climates. Anim. Feed Sci. and Tech., 85: Al- Murrani, W.K., Maternal effects on emryonic and post-emryonic grow in poultry. Br. Poult. Sci., 19: A.O.A.C., Official Meods of Analysis. 16 Ed., Association of Official Analytical Chemists. Washington DC, USA. Asuquo, B.O. and B. Okon, Effects of age and egg size on fertility and hatchaility of chicken eggs. E. Afr. Agric. For. J., 59: Carlson, I.R., Grow regulators. In: Animal Grow and Nutrition (Eds: E.S.E. Hafez and I.A. Dryer). pp: Chemjor, W., Energy and Protein Requirements of Growing Indigenous Chickens of Kenya. MSc. Thesis, Egerton University, Kenya, pp: 83. Cho, Y.M., I.S. Shin and C.J. Yang, Effects of feeding dried leftover food on productivity of laying hens. Asian-Aust. J. Anim. Sci., 17: Fisher, C., Response of laying hens to Amino Acids. In: Amino Acids in Farm Animal Nutrition. Eds: J.P.F. D Mello. Ca International, pp: Genstat 5 Release 3.2 (Pc/Windows 95), Lawes Agricultural Trust (Roamsted Experimental Station), UK. Gous, R.M., M.J. Griessel and T.R. Morris, Effect of dietary energy concentration on e response of laying hens to amino acids. Br. Poult. Sci., 28: Gous, R.M. and F.J. Kleyn, Responses y laying hens to energy and amino acids. In: Recent Developments in Poultry Nutriton. Eds: Cole, D.J.A. and Haresign, W. Halima, H.M., Phenotypic and Genetic Characterization of Indigenous Chicken Populations in Norwest Eiopia. PhD Thesis, University of Free State, Bloemfontein, Sou Africa, pp: 186. Harms, R.H., B.L. Damron and P.W. Waldrop, Influence of strain or reed upon e protein requirement of laying hens. Poult. Sci., 45: Hiramoto, K., T. Muramatsu and J. Okumura, Protein synesis in tissues and in e whole ody of laying hens during egg formation. Poult. Sci., 69: Isika, M.A., B.I. Okon E.A. Agiang and J.A. Oluyemi, Dietary energy and crude protein requirement for chicks of Nigerian local fowl and crossreds. Int. J. Poult. Sci., 5: Leeson, S. and J.D. Summers, Response of Leghorn pullets to protein and energy in e diet when reared in regular or hot-cyclic environments. Poult. Sci., 68: Mandlekar, D.H., A note on fertility and hatchaility and egg weight in roiler chicken. Ind. Poult. Rev., 9: Merrit, E.S. and R.O. Groove, Post emryonic grow in relation to egg weight. Poult. Sci., 44: MOALD and M., Ministry of Agriculture, Livestock Development and Marketing, Annual Report. Animal Production Division, Nairoi, Kenya. MOLFD, Ministry of Livestock and Fisheries Development, Annual Report, Animal Production Division, Nairoi, Kenya. Moughan, P.J., Simulation of e daily portioning of lysine in e 50 kg liveweight pig- A factorial approach to estimating amino acid requirements for grow and maintenance. Res. and Dev. Agric., 6: 7-14.

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