Nutritional quality of protein-rich feed resources for scavenging chickens

Abstract, Thesis, 2014

For sustainable intensification of village chickens, it is imperative to explore the potential of non-conventional animal protein (NCAP) feed resources. The broad objective of the study was to assess the nutritional quality and potential of scavengeable feed resources for scavenging chickens. A survey was conducted in 239 resource-poor households of Msinga local municipality in uMzinyathi district, KwaZulu Natal, using pre-tested semi-structured questionnaire, to assess farmer perceptions on the use of NCAP source for scavenging chickens. Females were the prominent heads of households, followed by males, and then youths. Chicken feed shortages were among major challenges to chicken production. A logistic regression model showed that farmers who did not provide overnight housing to their chickens were likely to not provide any supplementary feeding. More than half of the farmers (56.6 %) were aware that NCAP sources have a huge potential to be used as protein supplements to enhance sustainable intensification of scavenging village chickens. Common animal protein sources were termites, earthwoms and locusts.