Research on Chemical Composition and Nutritive Value of Green Fodder Used in Ecological Production of Eggs for Consumption

Abstract

The aim of this paper is to study the chemical composition of a green fodder used in laying hens feeding raised in ecological system; organic fodder being an important condition to obtain organic eggs for consumption. In order to evaluate the chemical composition variations of the green fodder throughout the year, there were taken plants samples in three different vegetation stages (May, September and October). To each period, were done 5 determinations for the following indicators: dry matter - DM (%), ash - Ash (%), crude protein - CP (%), ether extract - EE (%), crude fiber -CF(%), nitrogen free extract - (NFE%) calcium � Ca(%), phosphorus - P(%), magnesium - Mg (%), natrium -Na(%). And also, were analyzed the relevant indexes for the organic production: lead -Pb (mg/kg DM), cadmium - Cd (mg/kg DM), cooper -Cu (mg/kg DM), zinc - Zn (mg/kg DM) nitrites (ppm), nitrates (ppm), pesticides. After analysis, it was noticed that dry matter, minerals, organic matter and protein content varied very significantly between the first period and the third (p �0.001), while the fat content, crude fiber and nitrogen free extract did not register significant differences (p �0.05). Regarding the minerals elements analyzed, P and Mg differed significantly distinctly between the first and the last analyzed period. The content of green fodder in Pb, Cd, Cu and Zn was below the limits allowed by current legislation. The analyses for pesticides have highlighted the lack of them in the fodder. The quality parameters of the analyzed green fodder, expressed through levels of pollutants such as heavy metals, nitrites, nitrates, pesticides, allow us to notify that the green fodders achieve the conditions necessary for organic production.