Egg production and quality of local female chicken by dietary self-selection reared under semi-scavenging system in the tropics

Abstract

The feeding standard for local chicken breeds in Indonesia has not been published yet. The present study were aimed to measure egg production and quality while estimating the ME and CP needs during production for local female chickens reared under semi-scavenging system in the tropics (Indonesia) through dietary self-selection. A total of 138 twenty two week-old chicks were randomly distributed into 12 sheltered pens, 10-14 birds each. Two feeding methods (control and self-selection) were assigned to pens, so each treatment consisted of 6 replicates. The control group received a control diet complying with the Hy-line Brown Nutrient Requirements Standard, whereas the self-selection group had access to the control and four other diets (high energy-high protein, low protein-high energy, high protein-low energy, and low protein-low energy diet). Feeds and drinking water were provided ad libitum to 53 weeks of age. Feed consumption (FC), CP intake, ME intake, concentration of dietary CP and ME and egg production were recorded weekly. Egg quality was measured three times. Daily temperature and relative humidity in the morning (07:00), noon (12:00), and afternoon (17:00) were 21.8 to 28.1°C and 46 to 88%; 24.7 to 34.5°C and 35 to 72%; and 23.5 to 34.5°C and 36 to 80%, respectively. Data were analyzed using Proc Mixed of SAS, but egg quality was analyzed by ANOVA. The results showed that feeding method had apparent effect on CP intake (P=0.018) and ME intake, dietary concentration of CP and ME, egg production (P<0.001) but not on FC. The effect of week and feeding method by week interaction were also very significant for all performance, except egg production was not affected with feeding method by week interaction. Weekly CP and ME intake of the self-selection group were greater than those of the control (105.8 vs. 101.3 g/bird; P=0.018 and 1,709 vs. 1,575 kcal/bird; (P<0.001), respectively). Dietary concentrations of CP and ME in the self-selection group was higher (P<0.001) than those in the control group (189.3 vs. 180.7 g/kg and 3,053 vs. 2,810 kcal/kg, respectively). Egg production of the self-selection group was higher (P<0.001) than those of the control (60.5% vs. 55%). Over all, egg quality (eggshell thickness, shell strength, shell weight, egg weight, Hmm, color, compare, HU, and yolk weight) was similar, except color and compare were higher in choice-fed birds when they grew older. Local female chickens were able to select diets to adjust their nutrient requirements by selecting more of an energy-rich diet and less of a protein-rich diet. CP and ME requirement by local female chickens were more likely greater than the current formulated for them in order to increase egg production.