|
Notes
|
Contains the following reports:
1. Gunaratne, S.P., Wickramaratne, S.H.G., Chandrasiri, A.D.N., Roberts, J.A. 1994a. Production characteristics of Sri Lankan village chickens. Report to ACIAR.
Previous studies have measured the scavenging resource base available to chickens in Sri Lankan villages. The present study was concerned with productivity and the efficiency of utilisation of nutrients. Village chickens, crosses between village chickens and commercial layers, and commercial layer chickens were kept in pens and offered free choice feeding.
The egg production of village chickens on a free choice diet was similar to that seen in villages. The diet selected by the hens had 10.2% crude protein, similar to that available from the scavenging resource base (9.4%). The authors concluded that the egg production of village hens is close to the limit that the scavenging resource base will support. The hen day egg production by village hens was constant until they were at least 5 years old. Cross bred hens had a higher effiency of nutrient utilisation and higher egg production than village hens.
2. Gunaratne, S.P., Wickramaratne, S.H.G., Chandrasiri, A.D.N., Roberts, J.A. 1994b. Intervention in the scavenging chicken production system at Peradeniya, Sri Lanka. Report to ACIAR.
A simple creep feeder was designed to allow chicks less than eight weeks of age the initial access to household scraps, which were provided twice a day. Older birds were later allowed access to the scraps. This process increased the survival rate of chicks, but not the growth rate, probably a result of increased energy consumption. Small quantities of protein added to the scraps further increased survival and increased growth rate. Addition of small amounts of protein to the scraps did not increase egg produciton, indicating that the scavenging diet is sufficient for egg production by village hens. The authors warn that the production of more and larger growers may overwhelm the scavenging resource base. They see the solutions in increased harvesting of the growers, or increased consumption of eggs.
3. Gunaratne, S.P., Wickramaratne, S.H.G., Chandrasiri, A.D.N., Roberts, J.A. 1994c. Scavenging village chicken production and the scavenging feed resource base in areas in Sri Lanka with distinct wet and dry seasons. Report to ACIAR.
The value of the scavening resource base was measured by weighing and determining the proportion of refuse in the crop contents. A separate calculation was based on the requirements of a flock for maintenance and production. The scavenging resource base per day was estimated at 540g dry weight with 52g crude protein and 1230 kcal metabolisable energy. The authors point out that part of the scavenging resource base is wasted when chicks or growers do not survive.
4. Roberts, J.A. 1994. Concepts for the Improvement of the Welfare of the Village People of Developing Countries through Chicken Production. Report to ACIAR.
The author considers the feed resources available for village chickens and warns that "There is no large untapped source of nutritional wealth out there". Scavenging chickens remain important for the underpriveleged majority because the scavenging resource base is available to all, the additional protein produced by the flock is important for mothers and children, and sales of eggs or birds can broaden welfare options. Small scale intensive chicken production would be possible in some circumstances.
Areas important for future research were emphasised.
These were: - The nutritional requirements of village chickens for optimal production.
- The merits of different genotypes to use feeds of moderate quality.
- Integrated production with support services and enhancement of the role of women.
- Information packages for extension workers.
Roberts, J.A. 1994. Research priorities for Village Poultry Production. Discussion paper presented at the ACIAR meeting, University of Sydney, 7 February, 1994.
The author considers research priorities for both scavenging flocks and small scale intensive enterprises. The main sources of waste apparent to the author were brooding behaviour and the high death rates in chicks and growers. The author notes that nearly all chicks will survive if given privileged access to household refuge with a modest protein supplement. Broodiness can be reduced by removing the chicks from the hen soon after hatching. Newcstle disease was seen as a major disease problem.
|
