ABSTRACT
A comparative study on the evaluation of the efficacy of commercial vitamin – mineral premix (CVMP) and two locally formulated vitamins – mineral premixes 1 and 2 (LFVMP1 and LFVMP2) in egg – type chicken diets was investigated. Locally and naturally sourced feedstuffs were used in formulating locally produced vitamins – mineral premix 1 and 2, where locally formulated vitamins – mineral premix 1 was used as a template. Proximate compositions of the premixes were carried out in the Biochemistry laboratory of Department of Animal Science, Ahmadu Bello University Zaria and the Central laboratory of National Animal Production Research Institute, Shika – Zaria. Samples of the premixes were analyzed for vitamins and minerals using Ultraviolet Visible Spectrophotometer (UV-S 6405) and Atomic Absorption Spectrophotometer (AA240FS) in the laboratory of National Research Institute of Chemical Technology (NARICT) Basawa, Zaria. Results obtained, showed that commercial vitamin – mineral premix was richer than locally formulated vitamin – mineral premixes in terms of proximate, vitamins and minerals compositions. Vitamins analyzed were vitamins A, B2, B6, B9 and E while the minerals analyzed were calcium, phosphorus, sodium, potassium, copper, zinc, iron and manganese. The feeding trials were conducted using Lohman Brown Pullets at day old in a Completely Randomized Design (C.R.D). Seven diets were formulated containing CVMP, LFVMP1 and LFVMP2 at 0.00, 0.125, 0.25, 2.30, 4.60, 2.30 and 4.60% respectively. Reasons for these levels of inclusion are: recommended level of inclusion of CVMP by the manufacturer is 0.25% (full dose). The study tested 0.125% (half dose) inclusion level to see whether it will not be detrimental to the production parameters and also minimize costs in order to maximize profit. For LFVMP1which was used as a template for LFVMP2, the producer recommended 4.60% and was also tested at half dose. The appropriate diets were fed to the pullets from 0 – 8, 9 – 20, 20 – 32 and 32 – 56 weeks of age. In the chick phase, results obtained indicate that in terms of final weight and weight gain chicks fed on CVMP diets were significantly (P < 0.05) better than chicks on LFVMP based diets. The addition of premixes at half or full doses resulted in better growth performance than the control. Growth performance on full dose was significantly (P < 0.05) better than on half dose for all the premixes. Growth performance was best for CVMP followed by LFVMP 2 and LFVMP 1. The feed cost per kg gain was better on CVMP 0.25% followed by LFVMP 2 (4.60%). During the grower phase, performance in terms of final weight, weight gain of birds fed CVMP based diets were significantly (P < 0.05) better than those of LFVMP2 and LFVMP1 based diets respectively. Feed consumption was higher at full doses of premixes diets than half dose premixes diets for all the treatments, except treatment 1. Feed to gain ratio improved in chicks fed CVMP based diets than those on LFVMP2 and LFVMP1 respectively. At the early laying phase of the birds, results indicate that the final weight and weight gain increased as the levels of the premixes increased to full doses across the treatments. Chicks fed on CVMP based diets performed better than those on LFVMP2 and LFVMP1 respectively. CVMP based diets had significant (P < 0.05) effects on feed cost / dozen, hen egg – day and hen egg – housed production, percentage production at peak and income above feed expenses. At the laying phase, appropriate diets were fed to the birds from 32 – 56 weeks of age. Final weight, percent change in body weight and feed intake were significantly (P < 0.05) different across the treatments. Feed cost/kg, feed cost/dozen eggs, hen egg day and hen housed egg productions, percentage production at peak of lay and
income above feed expenses were significantly (P < 0.05) different across the treatments. Laying hens on full doses of CVMP premixes diets had higher profit margin than those on half doses and control diets. Performance on half dose of CVMP was similar to full dose of CVMP and full doses of LFVMP 1 and 2. Therefore, performance was same on full dose for all the three premixes which means that for laying hens any of the premixes can be used in the absence of CVMP. CVMP diets fed to laying hens produced eggs with superior external and internal qualities than the LFVMP1 and control diets. LFVMP2 diets fed to laying hens produced eggs that compares favourably with CVMP diets. All premixes resulted in eggs that had better quality than the control diet even at half dose. All premixes at full dose gave rise to eggs of higher quality than half dose. Egg weight, shell thickness and Haugh unit were best for all eggs from hens fed CVMP, followed by LFVMP 2 and LFVMP 1. The final study was on the determination of cholesterol in egg yolk of eggs laid based on the different treatments on subsequent performance of layers and at the laying phase was investigated. CVMP fed hens laid eggs with higher total cholesterol than LFVMP. Eggs from hens fed the control diet also had high levels of total cholesterol; this is because of the importance of cholesterol which is use in synthesing steroid hormones, body membranes and other important structures in the body.The animal body produces cholesterol daily to meet minimum requirements. A standard egg had 186 milligrammes of cholesterol and the standard blood cholesterol in humans is 200 milligrammes per deciliter or 2.2 millimole per liter. CVMP fed hens tended to have higher triglycerides.Normal triglyceride in the blood is less than 1.7 millimole per liter, eggs laid by hens on CVMP and LFVMP 1 diets had higher triglycerides than that of the control and LFVMP 2 but within the desirable levels. However, eggs from CVMP fed hens had higher high density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol but less low density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol than eggs from LFVMP fed hens, which is desirable. The levels are comparable to the standard of 1.6 millimole per liter in the blood. Hens fed diets with 0.00, 0.125 and 0.25% CVMP producedeggs with low cholesterol while hens fed diets with LFVMP1 and LFVMP2 at 2.30 and 4.60% levels of inclusion produced eggs with high low density lipoprotein cholesterol at the early laying and laying phases based on the National Cholesterol Education Programme ranking. The values are not as high as 2.6 – 3.3 millimole per liter for the level near ideal in human blood. The probable reasons were because blood meal and whole hard eggs which are known to be high in cholesterol were used as ingredients in formulating LFVMP1 and LFVMP2. CVMP at 0.25% and LFVMP2at 4.60% compared favourably in terms of laying performance, internal egg quality characteristics, feed cost per kg, income above feed expenses, egg production characteristics, egg yolk cholesterol and triglycerides values. It is concluded that in the absence of CVMP, LFVMP2 may be used as an alternative.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
TITLE PAGE – – – – – – – – – – i
COPY RIGHT STATEMENT – – – – – – – ii
DECLARATION – – – – – – – – – iii
CERTIFICATION – – – – – – – – – iv
DEDICATION – – – – – – – – – v
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS – – – – – – – – vi
TABLE OF CONTENTS – – – – – – – – viii
LIST OF TABLES – – – – – – – – – xiv
ABSTRACT – – – – – – – – – – xvi
CHAPTER ONE
1.0 Introduction – – – – – – – – – 1
CHAPTER TWO
2.0 LITERATURE REVIEW – – – – – – – 9
2.1 Introduction – – – – – – – – – 9
2.2 Vitamins requirement of the chickens – – – – – 9
2.2.1 Fat – Soluble Vitamins – – – – – – – 10
2.2.1.1 Vitamin A (Retinol) – – – – – – – – 10
2.2.1.2 Vitamin D – – – – – – – – – 13
2.2.1.3 Vitamin E (Tocopherol) – – – – – – – 17
2.2.1.4 Vitamin K – – – – – – – – – 22
2.2.2 Water Soluble Vitamins – – – – – – – 24
2.2.2.1 Vitamin B – – – – – – – – – 24
Thiamine – – – – – – – – – 25 Riboflavin – – – – – – – – – 26
Niacin (Nicotinic Acid) – – – – – – – 28
Pantothenic Acid – – – – – – – – 29
Pyridoxine – – – – – – – – – 30
Cyanocobalamine – – – – – – – – 32
Choline – – – – – – – – – 33
Folic acid (Pteroylglutamic Acid) – – – – – – 34
Biotin – – – – – – – – – – 36
Ascorbic Acid – – – – – – – – – 37
2.3 Requirements of the various vitamins for chicken – – – – 39
2.4 Minerals in poultry diets – – – – – – – 45
2.4.1 Macro – Minerals – – – – – – – – 45
2.4.1.1 Calcium (Ca+) – – – – – – – – – 45
2.4.1.2 Phosphorus (P) – – – – – – – – 47
2.4.1.3 Sodium (Na+) – – – – – – – – – 48
2.4.1.4 Potassium (K+) – – – – – – – – 49
2.4.1.5 Chloride (Cl-) – – – – – – – – – 50
2.4.1.6 Magnesium (Mg) – – – – – – – – 52
2.4.2 Trace Minerals – – – – – – – – – 53
2.4.2.1 Zinc (Zn) – – – – – – – – – 53
2.4.2.2 Copper (Cu) – – – – – – – – – 55
2.4.2.3 Iron (Fe) – – – – – – – – – 56
2.4.2.4 Manganese (Mn) – – – – – – – – 57
2.4.2.5 Selenium (Se) – – – – – – – – – 58
2.4.2.6 Iodine (I) – – – – – – – – – 58
2.4.2.7 Cobalt (Co) – – – – – – – – – 59
2.5 Vitamins and minerals in poultry diets – – – – – 63
CHAPTER THREE
3.0 MATERIALS AND METHODS – – – – – – 69
3.1 Location of study area – – – – – – – – 69
3.2 Premix formulation – – – – – – – – 69
3.3 Determination of proximate composition of commercial vitamin – mineral premix and locally formulated vitamin-mineral premixes 1 and 2 – — – 73
3.4 Determination of vitamins in commercial vitamin-mineral premix and locally formulated vitamin-mineral premixes- – – – – – 73
3.4.1 Drummond‟s Test for Vitamin A – – – – – – 74
3.4.2 Determination of Riboflavin (Vitamin B2) – – – – – 74
3.4.3 Determination of Pyridoxine (Vitamin B6) – – – – – 75
3.4.4 Determination of Folic Acid (Vitamin B9) – – – – – 75
3.4.5 Determination Tocopherol (Vitamin E) – – – – – 75
3.5 Determination of minerals in commercial vitamin mineral premix and locally formulated vitamin mineral premixes- – – – – 76
3.5.1 Equipment‟s – – – – – – – – – 76
3.5.2 Reagents – – – – – – – – – 76
3.5.3 Procedure – – – – – – – – – 77
3.5.4 Determination of Calcium by Atomic Absorption Spectroscopy (AAS) – 78
3.5.5 Determination of Phosphorus by Electrothermal Atomic Absorption Spectrometry (ETAAS) – – – – – – – 78
3.6 Experiment 1: Response of Pullet Chicks to different dietary levels of Commercial Vitamin Mineral Premix and Locally Formulated Vitamin – Mineral Premixes 1 and 2 (0 – 8 weeks)- – – – – 79
3.7 Experiment 2: Effect of different dietary levels of CVMP, LFVMP1 and LFVMP2 on the Performance of growing pullets (9 – 20 weeks). – – 82
3.8 Experiment 3: Effect of different dietary levels of CVMP, LFVMP1 and LFVMP2 on the growth and subsequent early laying performance of egg type pullets (20 – 32 weeks) – – – – – – 84
3.9 Experiment 4: Evaluation of the laying performance and egg quality characteristics
of laying hens fed on different dietary levels of CVMP, LFVMP1 and LFVMP2 diets (32 – 56 weeks) – – – – – – – 86
3.9.1 Egg Quality Determination – – – – – – – 87
3.10 Determination of cholesterol contents of yolk of eggs laid by hens on different
dietary levels of premixes – – – – – – – 88
3.10.1 Cholesterol Enzymatic End – Point Method Using Randox (RX) Monza Analyzer 88
3.10.1.1 Materials – – – – – – – – – 89
3.10.1.2 Reagents – – – – – – – – – 89
3.10.1.3 Method – – – – – – – – – 89
3.10.2 Triglycerides Glycerol – 3 – Phosphate Oxidase – Phenol + Aminophenazone (TRIG GPO – PAP Method) – – – – 90
3.10.2.1 Materials – – – – – – – – – 90
3.10.2.2 Reagents – – – – – – – – – 90
3.10.2.3 Method – – – – – – – – – 90
3.10.3 High – Density Lipoprotein – Cholesterol Precipitant on RX Monza Analyzer 91
3.10.3.1 Materials – – – – – – – – – 91
3.10.3.2 Reagents – – – – – – – – – 91
3.10.3.3 Method – – – – – – – – – 92
CHAPTER FOUR
4.0 RESULTS – – – – – – – – – – 94
4.1 Proximate Composition of Commercial Vitamins Minerals Premixes (CVMPs) and Locally Formulated Vitamin Mineral Premixes (LFVMP 1 and LFVMP 2) – 94
4.2 Vitamins Analyses of Commercial Vitamin Mineral Premixes and Locally Formulated
Vitamin Mineral Premixes (LFVMP 1 and LFVMP 2) – – – 94
4.3 Minerals Composition of Commercial Vitamin Mineral Premixes (CVMPs)
and Locally Formulated Vitamin Mineral Premixes (LFVMP 1 and LFVMP 2) 97
4.4 Experiment 1: Response of Pullet Chicks to different dietary levels of Commercial Vitamin Mineral Premix and Locally Formulated Vitamin – Mineral Premixes (0 8 weeks)- – – – – – – 99
4.5 Experiment 2: Response of growing pullets to different dietary levels of Commercial Vitamin Mineral Premix (grower) and Locally Formulated Vitamin Mineral Premixes (LFVMP 1 and LFVMP 2) – – 101
4.6 Experiment 3: Effects of different dietary levels of Commercial Vitamin Mineral Premix (layer) and Locally Formulated Vitamin Mineral
Premixes (LFVMP 1 and LFVMP 2) on the subsequent performance of layers 103
4.7 Experiment 4: Response of laying hens to different dietary levels of Commercial Vitamin Mineral Premix and Locally Formulated Vitamin Mineral Premixes (LFVMP 1and LFVMP 2) – – – – – – – – 106
4.8 The Economic benefits of feeding Commercial Vitamin Mineral Premix (layer) and Locally Formulated Vitamin Mineral Premixes at the early and late laying
Phases of hens – – – – – – – – – 109
4.9 Effect of different dietary levels of Commercial Vitamin Mineral Premix (layer)
and Locally Formulated Vitamin Mineral Premixes (LFVMP 1and LFVMP 2)
on Egg Quality Parameters – – – – – – 109
4.10 Determination of Cholesterol contents of yolk of eggs laid by hens fed on
different dietary levels of Commercial Vitamin Mineral Premix(CVMP)
and Locally Formulated Vitamin Mineral Premixes (LFVMP 1 and LFVMP 2)
on subsequent performance of layers – – – – – – 112
4.11 Determination of Cholesterol contents of yolk of eggs laid by hens fed different
dietary levels of Commercial Vitamin Mineral Premix (layer) and Locally Formulated
Vitamin Mineral Premixes at layers phase – – – – – 114
CHAPTER FIVE
5.0 DISCUSSION- – – – — – – – – – – 116
5.1 Proximate Composition of Commercial Vitamin and Mineral Premixes (CVMPs) and
Locally Formulated Vitamin and Mineral Premixes (LFVMP 1 and LFVMP 2) 116
5.2 Vitamins Composition of Commercial Vitamin and Mineral Premixes
(chick, grower, layer) and Locally Formulated Vitamin and Mineral Premixes
(LFVMP 1and LFVMP 2) – – – – – – – – – – – 116
5.3 Minerals Composition of Commercial Vitamin and Mineral Premixes (chick, grower,
Layer) and Locally Formulated Vitamin and Mineral Premixes (LFVMP1
and LFVMP 2) – – – – – – – – – – – – – 117
5.4 Experiment 1: Response of Pullet Chicks to different dietary levels of Commercial
Vitamin and Mineral Premix (CVMP) and Locally Formulated Vitamin and Mineral
Premixes 1 and 2 (0 – 8 weeks) – – – – – – – – – 117
5.5 Experiment 2: Response of growing pullets to different dietary levels of Commercial
Vitamin and Mineral Premix (grower) and Locally Formulated Vitamin and Mineral
Premixes 1 and 2 (9 – 20 weeks) – – – – – – – – – – 119
5.6 Experiment 3: Effects of different dietary levels of Commercial Vitamin and Mineral
Premixes (layer) and Locally Formulated Vitamin and Mineral Premixes (LFVMP 1
and LFVMP 2) layer diets on the subsequent performance of layers (20 – 32 weeks) 120
5.7 Experiment 4: Response of Laying Hens to different dietary levels of Commercial
Vitamin and Mineral Premix (layer) and Locally Formulated Vitamin and Mineral
Premixes (LFVMP 1 and LFVMP 2). – – – – – – – – – 122
5.8 The economic benefits of feeding Commercial Vitamin and Mineral Premix (CVMP)
and Locally Formulated Vitamin and Mineral Premixes 1 and 2 (LFVMP 1 and 2) at
the early and late laying phases of hens – – – – – – – – 125
5.9 Effect of different dietary levels of Commercial Vitamin and Mineral Premix (layer)
and Locally Formulated Vitamin and Mineral Premixes (LFVMP1 and LFVMP 2)
on Egg Quality Parameters – – – – – – – – – – – – 126
5.9.1 Egg External Quality – – – – – – – – – – – – 127
5.9.2 Egg Internal Quality – – – – — – – – – – – – 127
5.10 Determination of Cholesterol contents of yolk of eggs laid by hens fed different
dietary levels of Commercial Vitamin and Mineral Premix (layer) and Locally
Formulated Vitamin and Mineral Premixes (LFVMP1 and LFVMP 2) on subsequent
Performance of layers – – – – – – – – – – – – 128
5.11 Determination of Cholesterol contents of yolk of eggs laid by hens fed different
dietary levels of Commercial Vitamin and Mineral Premix (layer) and Locally
Formulated Vitamin and Mineral Premixes (LFVMP 1 and LFVMP 2) at
laying phase – – – – – – – – – – – – – 131
CHAPTER SIX
6.0 GENERAL SUMMARY, CONCLUSION AND RECOMMENDATIONS – 133
6.1 General summary – – – – – – – – – – – – 133
6.2 Conclusion – – – – – – – – – – – – – 136
6.3 Recommendations – – – – – – – – – – – – 137
REFERENCES – – – – – – – – – –
CHAPTER ONE
1.0 INTRODUCTION
Poultry production is one of the major enterprises enjoying a high rate of increase in production globally (Aduku, 2004). Africa accounts for only a little over 4% of world egg production. However, its rate of growth, averaging 3.4% a year from 2000 – 2010, easily outstripped the global figure of 2.2%. Looking ahead, production in this region will continue to increase with output reaching at least 2.8 million tonnes in 2012 and possibly topping 3 million tonnes by 2015. Global egg output should come close to 65 million tonnes in 2012 of which, Africa could produce 2.8 million tonnes or 4.3%. The leading producer in the region is Nigeria where output exceeded 153 million tonnes in 2010. South Africa is the second largest producer, annual output having risen by some 135,000 tonnes or 43% from 2000 – 2010 (Terry, 2012).
In Nigeria, between 1990 and 2003, egg production increased from 337,000 tonnes to 548,000 tonnes while poultry meat production increased from 57,000 tonnes to 121,000 tonnes indicating more than 112% increase over a period of 14 years and clearly showing the prime importance of poultry both as a source of protein and as a source of employment or income generation (Alimiet al., 2006). The two most important factors responsible for the phenomenal increase in poultry production in Nigeria were identified as its profitability and the quick return on invested capital (Dafwang and Odiba, 1993; Ogundipe and Sanni, 2002).
Poultry is a major commodity in World food production with the highest proportion of manufactured feed of all species. The dynamic growth and success of the poultry industry is
based on a high degree of vertical integration, improved production efficiency standards such as increased market weights, reduced days to market, improved feed conversion and greatly automated processing combined with successful marketing such as low fat, high protein products and changed consumer habits such as health considerations (National Research Council, 1994).
Some thirteen vitamins are required by poultry and are often incorporated into poultry feeds. A fourteenth vitamin, vitamin C is now being considered in overall vitamin supplementation programmes. Vitamin C is synthesized by poultry and is not considered a required dietary nutrient. However, there is evidence of a favourable response to vitamin C by birds under heat stress (Abidin and Khatoon, 2013).
Vitamins are always added to feeds in amounts that meet minimum dietary requirements. This ensures that birds consume plenty of vitamins for proper health and performance. Higher levels are not usually harmful but extra vitamins are unnecessary and expensive. They are usually added as vitamin – mineral premix, it is important that adequate amounts of all vitamins are provided. It may be necessary to add extra amounts of some vitamins to achieve minimum levels for other vitamins. This may increase the cost of the complete feed but is better than creating vitamin deficiencies that can be detrimental to production (Bert and Dianne, 2011).
During periods of stress caused by disease, shipping or sudden changes in the environment, it is recommended that extra vitamins and electrolytes be provided in the drinking water
until the stressing condition is corrected. Like vitamins, adequate levels of minerals must be provided to all birds,for instance chicks, growers, layers and breeders (Avitech, 2007).
Minerals in breeder feeds are especially important. Laying hens require higher levels of minerals for egg shell formation. Chicks require high levels of minerals for proper bone formation and development. Breeder feeds are fed only to laying birds. Trace minerals are those minerals required at very low levels for good growth and production. Most feed ingredients provide some of these minerals but sometimes they may contain less than adequate quantities. Many of these minerals are contained in commercial vitamin – mineral premixes (Bert and Dianne, 2011).
A premix is a mixture of vitamins, trace minerals, medicaments, feed supplements and diluents. A premix is a value added solution for feeds with sustainable safety and quality (Leslie, 2007). A vitamin – mineral premix is the combination of vitamins and minerals which is added to the formulated diet to meet up the requirements of vitamins and minerals that may be deficient in the formulated diet. Inclusion of vitamin-mineral premix in the formulated diet has become an indispensable practice because feed ingredients do not contain all essential vitamins and minerals at the right amounts needed for chickens (Asaduzzaman et al., 2005).
Critical vitamins namely choline, folic acid, pantothenic acid, pyridoxine, riboflavin, Vitamin A, Vitamin D3 and Vitamin E and minerals namely calcium, phosphorus, copper, iodine, iron, manganese, sodium and zinc should be checked carefully in the diet. Minerals
and vitamins contribute only 10% of the total cost of feed (Singh and Panda, 1988). Economizing on these can lead to reduction in safety margin and restrict performance of birds leading to heavy losses.
Premixes solve two major problems in feed milling namely: that of weighing relatively small quantities of many ingredients and the possibility that the small quantities being weighed can be lost in one corner of the mixer if added individually. The use of a carrier allows addition of a large quantity of the premix, although, the final concentration of the individual nutrient in the diet is usually very small. Vitamin and mineral requirements are very much important in poultry production. Many pharmaceutical companies market vitamin-mineral premixes using different trade names. Few marketed vitamin-mineral premixes packages do not contain name and origin of products but attributed to appreciative quality of the products. Many poultry farmers observed that among the many commercial vitamin-mineral premixes, few are not quality products; most probably due to adulteration by businessmen. Registration and analysis of quality of every product is obligatory (Asaduzzaman et al., 2005).
Vitamin – mineral premixes are sold throughout the country without any established standards. The registration of feed additives is based on three criteria: the claimed effects of a product on the farm animals terms of performance, disease prevention, antioxidant effect, or pigmentation which must have been clearly demonstrated through experimentation. Absence of undesired side effects must be well documented and safety for human beings, animals and environment must be guaranteed (Wenk, 2000).
Vitamin nutrition is a dynamic input for the production and marketing of poultry meat and eggs because it must be updated regularly to accommodate improvements in production and marketing methods, changes in conditions on the farm and new vitamin nutrition knowledge. Continued improvement of genetic potentials of poultry demands that we determine if increased vitamins levels may be needed to adequately meet these higher performance levels. The dynamics of vitamin nutrition for poultry are demonstrated by changes in the NRC vitamin requirements of growing chickens (0 – 8 weeks of age) that have been made during the past four decades. These changes were primarily due to advances in knowledge of vitamin nutrition, improvements in vitamin product forms and extensive changes in commercial broiler production methods that have occurred since the last publication (National Research Council, 1994).
The world is advocating for organic materials utilization in animal feeds. The organic materials come in packages with vitamins, enzymes and minerals that control the way the body recognizes, metabolizes and uses them to make what it needs (Avitech, 2007). Natural vitamins and minerals are derived from plant and animal sources. However, more than 95% of the vitamin – mineral premixes being sold are manufactured synthetically with chemicals and do not come straight from their natural resources. Many synthetic vitamins and minerals lack the transporters and cofactors associated with naturally – occurring vitamins and minerals because they have been isolated. The Organic Consumers Association (O.C.A) emphasizes that isolated vitamins and minerals cannot be used or recognized by the body in the same way as the natural version (Global Healing Centre, 2013).
The use of organic systems for poultry production is growing due to consumer demand for specifically “natural” and “welfare friendly” meat and eggs (Danet al.,, 2012). The most appropriate technology for developing tropical countries like Nigeria, with escalating ingredient prices is the development of premix formulations, which would allow locally and naturally available non – conventional premix ingredients to be exploited. Nigeria has potential of non – conventional feedstuffs that can be used in premix formulation (Avitech, 2007). However, limited studies have been conducted to assess the locally and naturally sourced feedstuffs nutritive value in poultry diets. In particular, fish meal, blood meal, wood ash, red pepper, poultry litter ash, egg and Moringa oleiferaare known to be very rich in minerals and vitamins and are also locally available.
Commercial Vitamin – Mineral Premixes are compulsory in poultry diets, however they are very expensive and sometimes of doubtful potency. They may also not be readily available when critically needed. This research will therefore be of great importance as it is expected to lead to production of improved, readily available and cost – effective locally formulated vitamins and minerals for laying hens and invariably the provision of quality and affordable animal protein in Nigeria. In the same vein, Locally Formulated Vitamin – Mineral Premixes can easily be subjected to better quality control.
This study was therefore designed to compare the efficacy of a commercial vitamin – mineral premix and two different locally formulated vitamin – mineral premixes from natural sources in the performance of egg – type chickens.
Objectives of the Study
This study has the following specific objectives:
1. To determine the proximate, vitamin and mineral compositions of the two locally formulated vitamin-mineral premixes (LFVMPs) and commercial vitamin – mineral premixes (CVMPs).
2. To evaluate the comparative efficacy of LFVMPs and CVMPs on the growth, health and mortality of egg-type chicken.
3. To evaluate the effect of LFVMPs and CVMP diets on egg quality characteristics.
4. To evaluate the cholesterol and some other lipid contents of yolk of eggs laid by birds fed on diets with LFVMPs and CVMP.
5. To evaluate the economic implication of using LFVMPs and CVMP on growth and egg production of egg-type chicken.
Research Hypotheses
Experiments 1, 2 and 3
Ho: LFVMPs diets do not numerically have high nutrients, vitamins and minerals as that of CVMPs diets.
HA:LFVMPs diets do numerically have high nutrients, vitamins and minerals as that of CVMPs diets.
Experiments 4 and 5
Ho: Feeding diets containing LFVMPs does not have significant effects on the growth performance of chicks and growing pullets as diets containing CVMP.
HA: Feeding diets containing LFVMPs do have significant effects on the growth performance of chicks and growing pullets as diets containing CVMP.
Experiments 6 and 7
Ho: Feeding diets containing LFVMPs does not have significant effects on the growth, subsequent early laying, laying performance of egg type pullets; and the cost of production as diets containing CVMP.
HA: Feeding diets containing LFVMPs do have significant effects on the growth, subsequent early laying, laying performance of egg type pullets; and the cost of production as diets containing CVMP.
Experiment 8
Ho: Feeding diets containing LFVMPs does not have significant effects on egg quality characteristics of hens as diets containing CVMP.
HA: Feeding diets containing LFVMPs do have significant effects on egg quality characteristics of hens as diets containing CVMP.
Experiment 9 and 10
Ho: Feeding diets containing LFVMPs does not have significant effects on the cholesterol contents of yolk of eggs laid by hens compared with diets containing CVMP.
HA: Feeding diets containing LFVMPs do have significant effects on the cholesterol contents of yolk of eggs laid by hens compared with diets containing CVMP.
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