Effect of Dietary Crude Protein Levels on Egg Production, Hatchability and Post-Hatch Offspring Performance of Indigenous Chickens

Abstract

Indigenous chickens in Kenya are estimated to be 21.5 million and are found in all the ecological zones in the country. They are 75% of the poultry population and produce 46 and 58% of the egg and meat, respectively. These levels of production are comparatively low compared to their numbers. The low productivity of indigenous chickens in Kenya and other parts of the world is partly attributed to poor management practices, in particular the lack of proper healthcare, poor nutrition and housing. This study was designed to determine the effects of dietary protein levels on egg production, hatchability and post-hatch offspring feed intake, feed efficiency and growth rate of indigenous chickens. Seventy two hens averaging 46 weeks in age, were offered four diets formulated from similar ingredients but differing in protein levels: 100, 120, 140 and 170 g CP/kg DM. Diets were randomly allocated to hens such that each diet had nine replicates each consisting of two hens. The hens were housed in battery cages and diets offered ad-libitum . Laying percentage, egg weight and feed intake were measured over an 8-week period. There was an increase (p<0.05) in egg weight from 42.9-46 g and laying percentage from 37.8-43.6% with increasing protein levels from 100-120 g CP/kg DM, but not (p>0.05) at 120 and 140 g CP/kg DM. The laying percentage of hens offered 170 g CP/kg DM was lower (p<0.05) than that of hens offered 100 g CP/kg DM (22 vs. 37.8 %), although feed intake was similar for all the levels of CP. Hatchability of the 328 fertile eggs set in an electric incubator ranged from 66-73% while chicks weighed from 31.6-32.8 g for the four levels of CP tested. The level of CP had no pronounced effects (p>0.05) on offspring feed intake (51-56 g), live weight gain (6.5 -8.5 g / day) and feed conversion efficiency (0.13-0.15). It is, therefore, concluded that the dietary crude protein requirement for laying indigenous hens is about 120 g CP/kg and maternal dietary protein level has no effect on hatchability and post-hatch offspring feed intake, feed efficiency and growth rate. The findings will help in the formulation of indigenous chicken layer diet with the appropriate protein content.

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International Journal of Poultry Science 9 (4): 324-329, 2010
ISSN 1682-8356
© Asian Network for Scientific Information, 2010
Corresponding Author: J.K. Tuitoek, Department of Animal Sciences, Egerton University, P.O. Box 536-20115, Egerton, Kenya
324
Effect of Dietary Crude Protein Levels on Egg Production, Hatchability and
Post-Hatch Offspring Performance of Indigenous Chickens
A.M. Kingori , J.K. Tuitoek , H.K. Muiruri and A.M. Wachira
Department of Animal Sciences, Egerton University, P.O. Box 536-20115, Egerton, Kenya
Kenya Agricultural Research Institute, P.O. Box 25-20117, Naivasha, Kenya
1
1
3
2
1
2
Abstract: Indigenous chickens in Kenya are estimated to be 21.5 million and are found in all the ecological
zones in the country. They are 75% of the poultry population and produce 46 and 58% of the egg and meat,
respectively. These levels of production are comparatively low compared to their numbers. The low
productivity of indigenous chickens in Kenya and other parts of the world is partly attributed to poor
management practices, in particular the lack of proper healthcare, poor nutrition and housing. This study was
designed to determine the effects of dietary protein levels on egg production, hatchability and post-hatch
offspring feed intake, feed efficiency and growth rate of indigenous chickens. Seventy two hens averaging
46 weeks in age, were offered four diets formulated from similar ingredients but differing in protein levels:
100, 120, 140 and 170 g CP/kg DM. Diets were randomly allocated to hens such that each diet had nine
replicates each consisting of two hens. The hens were housed in battery cages and diets offered ad-libitum.
Laying percentage, egg weight and feed intake were measured over an 8-week period. There was an
increase (p<0.05) in egg weight from 42.9-46 g and laying percentage from 37.8-43.6% with increasing
protein levels from 100-120 g CP/kg DM, but not (p>0.05) at 120 and 140 g CP/kg DM. The laying percentage
of hens offered 170 g CP/kg DM was lower (p<0.05) than that of hens offered 100 g CP/kg DM (22 vs. 37.8
%), although feed intake was similar for all the levels of CP. Hatchability of the 328 fertile eggs set in an
electric incubator ranged from 66-73% while chicks weighed from 31.6-32.8 g for the four levels of CP tested.
The level of CP had no pronounced effects (p>0.05) on offspring feed intake (51-56 g), live weight gain (6.5
-8.5 g / day) and feed conversion efficiency (0.13-0.15). It is, therefore, concluded that the dietary crude protein
requirement for laying indigenous hens is about 120 g CP/kg and maternal dietary protein level has no effect
on hatchability and post-hatch offspring feed intake, feed efficiency and growth rate. The findings will help
in the formulation of indigenous chicken layer diet with the appropriate protein content.
Key words: Indigenous chickens, crude protein, feed intake, feed efficiency
INTRODUCTION
Indigenous chickens in Kenya are estimated to be 21.5
million, are kept by about 90% of the population and are
found in all the ecological zones in the country. They are
75% of the poultry population and produce 46 and 58%
of the egg and meat, respectively (MOLFD, 2004). These
levels of production are comparatively low compared to
their numbers. The low productivity of indigenous
chickens in Kenya and other parts of the world is partly
attributed to poor management practices, in particular
the lack of proper healthcare, poor nutrition and housing
(Mwalusanya et al., 2001). The birds depend primarily on
scavenging feed resources, which may be highly
variable and inadequate in nutrient supply. The
productivity of indigenous chickens can, therefore, be
increased through improved management, especially
targeting nutrition through supplementation (Ndegwa et
al., 1996). To supplement appropriately, the nutrient
requirements of indigenous chickens need to be known.
The dietary protein requirement for laying birds has been
MATERIALS AND METHODS
Animals, housing and experimental design: Seventy
two indigenous hens at the age of 46 weeks were used
in a completely randomized design. Two birds were
estimated at 140-180 g/kg for light and medium sized
exotic birds (Harms et al., 1966; NRC, 1984). Fertility and
hatchability are usually the major parameters of
reproductive performance that are most sensitive to
genetic and environmental influences (Stromberg,
1975). However, information on the protein requirements
of laying indigenous chickens and its effect on fertility
and hatchability is scarce. This study determined the
influence of varying dietary protein levels on laying,
hatching and post-hatching performance of offsprings of
indigenous chickens.
Experiment 1: This experiment studied the influence of
dietary protein level of the hens on hen weight, egg
production and weight.

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Int. J. Poult. Sci., 9 (4): 324-329, 2010
325
each randomly allocated to 36 battery cages measuring
(40 x 45 x 40cm) with the floor sloping towards the front.
Dietary treatments - 100, 120, 140 and 170 g CP/kg DM
were randomly allocated to the 36 cages such that each
diet was replicated 9 times. The cage was the
experimental unit. The experimental duration was 8
weeks.
Feeds, feeding, data collection and analysis: The
experimental diets (Table 1) were offered for 8 weeks.
The layer diet for every cage was weighed into a plastic
paper bag and was offered ad-libitum. This feed was put
into the feed trough, ensuring that it was halfway full to
avoid spillage. At the end of the week, the feed balance
in the trough and the paper bag were collected and
weighed. The feed intake per cage was calculated as
the difference between feed weighed for the cage minus
the feed balance in the trough and the paper bag.
Drinking water was supplied at all times. Hen weight
and egg production were taken weekly, while egg
production per cage was recorded daily. A random
sample of a tray of eggs for each dietary treatment was
weighed weekly. Chemical analysis of the feed was
carried out according the procedures of AOAC (1995). All
data were analyzed using the General Linear Model
(Genstat 5, 1995). Significant means were separated
using the Least Significant Difference (Steel and Torrie,
1980).
Table 1: Composition of layer diets
Diet (quantities in g/kg)
----------------------------------------------
12
892854
17 32
15 65
6565
66
2.52.5
2.52.5
103123
Ingredient
Maize
Corn gluten meal
Fishmeal
Limestone
Di-calcium phosphate
Iodised salt
*Premix
Crude protein (analyzed)
*Each g contains:- Vitamins: A-4500 I.u, D3- 900 I.u, E- 8 I.u, k3-1
mg, B1-0.7 mg, B2-1.75 mg, B6 - 1.5 mg, B12 - 0.048 mg, C -
40.0 mg, Nicotinic acid - 17.5 mg, Pantothenic acid - 4.0 mg,
Biotin - 0.02 mg, Folic acid - 0.4 mg, Choline Chloride - 140 mg,
Caropyll (R+Y) - 13 mg, Minerals: Mn - 48 mg, Fe - 12.8 mg, Zn -
14.4 Cu - 1.6 mg, Co - 0.064 mg, Iodine - 0.448 mg, Se-0.04 mg.
3
815
60
49
65
4
778
80
66
65
6
2.5
2.5
6
2.5
2.5
139171
Experiment 2: This experiment studied the influence of
the maternal dietary protein level on hatchability and
post-hatch offspring performance
chickens.
of indigenous
Animals, housing, feeding and incubation of eggs:
Eighty indigenous hens, at the age of 50 weeks were
used. They were housed in eight deep litter pens (2x2
m), each with 10 hens and 1 cock. They were offered
diets shown in Table 1 for two weeks before collecting
Table 2:Egg weights, number of eggs incubated and chicks
hatched per dietary treatment
Diet*
------------------------------------------------
1
Analyzed CP (g/kg) 103
Egg weight (g)47
No. of eggs incubated59
First candling (7 day)
No. of infertile eggs 10
No. of dead embryos
Second candling (18 day)
Dead embryos
Eggs hatched (%)
43
* see Table 1 for description of the diets.
2
123
48.7
90
3
139
49.1
79
4
171
48.2
100
th
12
5
6
0
8
31
th
1372
595569
fertile eggs. The eggs were collected for 10 days, graded
and set in an incubator (Table 2).
Candling was done on the 7 and 18 day and the eggs
were transferred into a hatcher on the 18 day.
Harvesting of chicks was on the 22 day.
th
th
th
nd
Rearing of the chicks: Day old chicks were weighed
after harvesting and reared in an electric brooder for four
weeks. They were subjected to the standard feeding
regime by offering starter diet for the first 7 weeks and
thereafter a grower diet for 7 weeks (Table 3). Standard
vaccinations against Marek’s, Newcastle and Fowl pox
diseases were carried out.
From the 8 week, 40 offsprings from each dietary
treatment were randomly allocated to battery cages.
Each treatment was replicated 4 times. There were 5
cockerels and 5 pullets per cage. Weekly bird weight,
feed intake and efficiency were recorded per cage for 9
weeks (up to 17 weeks of age). All data were subjected
to a covariance analysis with the initial bird weight as the
covariable (Genstat 5, 1995). Significant means were
separated using the Least Significant Difference (Steel
and Torrie, 1980).
th
RESULTS
The results for experiment one that investigated the
influence of dietary protein level on egg production, egg
weight, hen weight and feed intake are presented in
Table 4.
Egg production, expressed as laying percentage was
22.1-43.6%. This was similar (p>0.05) between hens
fed diets containing 100 and 140 g CP/kg but lower
(p<0.05) for those fed a diet containing 170 g/kg CP. Egg
weight increased (p<0.05) between 100 and 120 g
CP/kg. The 100 and 170 g CP/kg diets had similar egg
weights (p>0.05) but different egg production (p<0.05).
Egg production was lowest (22.1%) for 170 g CP/kg.
There was no dietary treatment effect (p>0.05) on feed
intake and hen weight.
The results for experiment two that investigated the
influence of dietary protein level on hatchability and post-

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Int. J. Poult. Sci., 9 (4): 324-329, 2010
326
Table 3: Composition of Starter and Grower diets
Proportion in diet (g/kg DM)
----------------------------------------------
Starter
760
157
50
20
3
10
180
Ingredient
Maize
Corn gluten meal
Fishmeal
Di-calcium phosphate
Iodised salt
*Premix
Crude protein
*Each g contains:- Vitamins: A-4500 I.u, D3 - 900I.U, E - 8 I.u, K3
- 1 mg, B1 - 0.7 mg, B2 - 1.75 mg, B6 - 1.5 mg, B12 - 0.048 mg,
C - 40.0 mg, Nicotinic acid - 17.5 mg, Pantothenic acid - 4.0 mg
Biotin - 0.02 mg, Folic acid - 0.4 mg, Choline Chloride - 140 mg,
Caropyll (R+Y) - 13 mg, Minerals: Mn - 48 mg, Fe - 12.8 mg, Zn -
14.4 Cu - 1.6 mg, Co - 0.064 mg, Iodine - 0.448 mg, Se-0.04 mg.
Grower
799
118
50
20
3
10
160
Table 4:Influence of dietary protein level on production
characteristics of indigenous hens
Dietary CP (g CP/kg DM)
----------------------------------------------------------
103 123
37.8 43.6
Egg weight (g)42.946.0
Hen weight (kg)1.501.50
Feed intake (g/d)73.978.6
Means within a row with different superscripts are different
(p< 0.05). = nine measurements per treatment.
Parameter
Laying (%)
139
43.6
47.2
1.60
83
171
22.1
45.5
1.60
78.1
Sed
4.20
1.40
0.07
4.24
n
bbba
abb ab
a,b,c
n
hatch offspring performance are presented in Table 5.
Dietary maternal protein level did not significantly
(p>0.05) influence hatchability, chick weight, feed intake
and feed efficiency of the offspring.
DISCUSSION
This study comprised of two experiments. The first
experiment studied the influence of dietary protein level
of the hens on hen weight, egg production and weight
while the second studied the influence of the maternal
dietary protein level on hatchability and post-hatch
offspring performance of indigenous chickens. The
results showed that hen weight was similar for the hens
offered diets with 100-170 g CP/kg. This is an indication
that the crude protein content of the 100 g CP/kg diet met
the maintenance requirements. The results of this study
are in agreement with the findings of Leeson and
Summers (1989) and Ahmed (2000) who reported that
dietary protein levels ranging from 15-20 g CP/kg had no
effect on the body weight of laying hens. The average
feed intake of laying indigenous chickens in the current
study was between 74 and 83 g and was not influenced
by the level of dietary protein. This finding is in
agreement with that of Cho et al. (2004) who reported no
increase in feed intake in laying hens offered dried
leftover feed with additional protein (150-195 g CP/kg).
However, this is contrary to the findings of some studies
(Wethli and Morris, 1978; Gous et al., 1987) that
have reported increased feed intake with decreasing
Table 5: Influence of maternal dietary protein level on hatchability and
offspring performance of indigenous chickens
Dietary maternal protein level (g CP/kg DM)
---------------------------------------------------------------
Parameter* 103 123
Hatchability (%)72.965.6
Chick weight (g)31.832.0
Offspring performance
Av. daily gain (g/bird/d)6.53
Feed intake (g/bird/d)51.850.5
Feed efficiency (G/F)0.13
*Number of birds per treatment = 40, Number of replications per
treatment = 4.
139
69.6
32.8
171
69.0
31.6
Sed
7.368.38
55.8
0.15
8.46
55.5
0.15
1.10
5.65
0.0090.14
concentrations of dietary amino acids (crude protein).
Birds eat more food to compensate for marginal
deficiency of the first limiting amino acid. It can,
therefore, be concluded that a 100 g CP/kg diet is not
marginally deficient in the first limiting amino acid for
laying indigenous hens. Emmans (1987) proposed that
birds have a genetically predetermined requirement for
nutrients and consequently, eat to meet this requirement
for the first limiting nutrient. In the current study, feed
intake and efficiency were similar for all maternal dietary
protein levels. The birds in the present study were of
similar genetic make-up and were reared in similar
environment. This possibly explains why they had
similar feed intake.
In the present study, egg production (laying percentage)
was similar for hens offered diets containing between
100 and 140 g CP/kg. It was, therefore, deduced that
approximately a 100 g CP/kg diet met the crude protein
requirements for laying indigenous chickens. This study
found that altering dietary protein concentrations
between 100-140 g CP/kg affected egg weight while Cho
et al. (2004) reported no increase in egg weight in
commercial layers offered diets with protein between
150 and 195 g CP/kg. Gous and Kleyn (1989) reported
that the effect of altering the dietary amino acid
concentrations was more severe on egg production than
on egg weight. The similarity in egg production for hens
fed diets containing 100-140 g CP/kg in the present
study suggest that hens offered the 100 g CP/kg diet
were not in severe deficiency and that protein
requirements for indigenous hens are lower than the
level recommended by NRC (1984). However, the NRC
(1984) recommendations are for hybrid hens that
normally have higher protein requirements than
indigenous hens. This is because exotic layers have a
higher body weight (1.8-2.0 kg), egg production (80%)
and egg weight (57-60 g) than indigenous hens that
have 1.5-1.6 kg, 22-44% and 43-47 g body, egg
production and egg weight,
requirements for these amino acids should also take
account of the relationship between amino acid intake
and egg output, which are dependent on both feed
intake and level of production (Gous and Kleyn, 1989).
Any supply of amino acids that exceeds the requirement
respectively. The

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Int. J. Poult. Sci., 9 (4): 324-329, 2010
327
for protein synthesis leads to a decrease of efficiency
(Hiramoto et al., 1990). This may explain the decrease in
egg production of the hens offered the 171 g CP/kg
protein diet. Egg production was similar to that reported
by Ndegwa et al. (1996) for indigenous chickens under
improved conditions. The hens in that study had a laying
percentage of 41.1, while in the current study it was
43.6%. Ramlah et al. (1994) reported similar egg
production (24.5%) for hens offered diets containing 120
g CP/kg and 180 g CP/kg. This is in agreement with the
findings of the present study that dietary protein levels
beyond 100 g/kg did not increase egg production.
However, in the study by Ramlah et al. (1994), egg
production was lower (24.5%) than in the present study
(37.8%).
Fertility and hatchability are parameters of reproductive
performance that are most sensitive to genetic and
environmental influences (Stromberg, 1975). Factors
affecting fertility and hatchability include plane of
nutrition, conditions and length of storage of eggs, bird
strain, egg quality and mating ratio (Stahl et al., 1986;
Peebles and Brakes 1987). Diet mainly affects the
number and size of eggs rather than their composition
(Fisher, 1994). Egg size affects hatchability (Neshiem
and Card, 1972; Williamson and Payne, 1978;
Mandlekar, 1981). Eggs within the weight range of 45-56
g weight hatch better than lighter ones (Mandlekar,
1981). Asuquo and Okon (1993) reported hatchability of
large- (51-56 g), medium- (45-50 g) and small-sized
eggs- (37.5-44 g) of 88.2, 84.8% and 72.1%,
respectively. In the current study, hatchability ranged
from 66-73%, which is lower than for medium-sized
eggs reported by Asuquo and Okon (1993) but similar
for the smaller eggs. Hatchability at 80-90% for Kenyan
indigenous chickens has been reported before (MOALD
and M, 1993). Asuquo and Okon (1993) studied exotic
chicken (Hypeco white broilers) and for the Kenyan
situation (MOALD and M, 1993), the figures reported are
mainly for exotic chicken In Kenya, as much of the
documentation has been on the commercial poultry
sector. Exotic chicken lay large eggs (55-57 g) that have
been reported to have a higher hatchability than smaller
eggs. The hatchability figures reported by Mandlekar
(1981) for large eggs are in agreement with those of
Kenyan hybrid chicken that produce eggs with a weight
of 55-57 g. Few studies have been done for the
indigenous chickens. Ndirangu et al. (Pers. Com.)
compared the hatchability of eggs of indigenous
chickens in Kenya obtained from Kericho, Nyeri and
Taita-Taveta districts and reported a range of 50-60%
while Chemjor (1998) reported a hatchability of 41-48%
for a similar flock. This is lower than that reported for
exotic chickens in the country (MOALD and M, 1993). The
difference might be due to the method of fertilisation.
Chemjor (1998) used artificial insemination to fertilise
the hens while natural mating was used in the current
study. Dessie (1996) reported hatchability of Ethiopian
local chickens ranging from 44-100% whereas
Mwalusanya et al. (2001) reported 83.6% for Tanzanian
local chickens. The high hatchability in the Tanzanian
chicken may be due to the high cock to hen ratio (1:5)
compared to that of the present study (1:10).
The weight of day-old chicks is directly proportional to
egg weight. Al-Murrani (1978) found that chicks
hatched from large eggs were heavier than those
hatched from comparatively smaller eggs. Embryonic
growth is largely affected by protein content and not by
the space in the eggshell. More than 97% of the variation
in chick weight at hatch is due to the fresh weight of the
egg and water loss during incubation (Tullet and Burton,
1982). Chick weight has been reported to range from 62-
78% of the fresh egg weight (Merrit and Groove, 1965).
Chicks hatched from large eggs (61.8 g) were 71% of
the fresh egg weight whereas those hatched from
smaller eggs (53.2 g) were 66% of the fresh egg weight.
Results from the present study are in agreement with
those of Merrit and Groove (1965) and Al-Murrani (1978).
Chick weights in the current study ranged from 66-68%
of the fresh egg weight (43-47 g). Chemjor (1998)
reported chick weights that were 69-71% of the fresh
egg weight (43-45 g), which is in general agreement
with the findings of Merrit and Groove (1965) and the
present study. The day-old chick weights in this study
were similar (30-32 g) to those of Nigerian local chicken
and their crosses with the exotic egg and broiler type
(Isika et al., 2006) but higher than that reported for local
chickens of Ethiopia (25.55-29.20 g) by Halima (2007).
It has been reported that growth in animals is influenced
by the genotype and the animal’s environment (Carlson,
1969; Isika et al., 2006). The growth rate (6.5-8.5 g/d),
feed intake (50.5-55.8 g) and feed efficiency (0.13-0.15)
of the growers in the current study were similar for all the
maternal dietary protein levels. This is due to their
similarity in genetics and environmental conditions in
which they were reared (Table 5). These parameters
(growth rate, feed intake and efficiency) are similar to
those of growers of local Nigerian chicken offered diets
containing 200 and 240 g CP/kg (Isika et al., 2006).
However, the Nigerian local chicken growers had
significantly lower body weight and feed conversion rate
than local x egg type and the local x broiler type growers
offered similar diets (200 and 240 g CP/kg). This
indicates that the local chicken genotype had a negative
influence on growth and feed conversion rate. The
growers in this study had a mean growth rate of 7.8 g
per bird per day. This was lower than that reported by
Chemjor (1998) where growth rate was 11.4 g/bird/day
for indigenous chickens at a similar age. Mwalusanya et
al. (2001) reported a mean growth rate of 9.3 g per day
between 10-14 weeks of age.
The growers in the current study had a mean body
weight of 636.2 g at the 17 weeks whereas Chemjor
th

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Int. J. Poult. Sci., 9 (4): 324-329, 2010
328
(1998) reported a mean body weight of 535.3 g at a
similar age. Protein intake was 8.6 g/bird/day and feed
efficiency 0.14 compared to 6.9 g/bird/day and 0.20,
respectively, in the study by Chemjor (1998). Crude
protein intake in the present study was, therefore, higher
but efficiency (gain: feed) was lower than in the Chemjor
(1998) study. This difference could be due to the higher
body weight of birds in the current study, which have a
higher maintenance requirement and consequently, a
lower feed efficiency. Moughan (1989) reported that
maintenance requirement is a function of body weight
and the protein requirement for maintenance has to be
met before the synthesis of new body proteins.
Dessie, T., 1996. Studies on Village Poultry Production
Systems in the Central Highlands of Ethiopia. MSc
thesis. Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences,
Uppsala, Sweden., pp: 70.
Emmans, G.C., 1987. Growth, body composition and
feed intake. Worlds Poult. Sci. J., 43: 208-227.
Fisher, C., 1994. Response of laying hens to Amino
Acids. In: Amino Acids in Farm Animal Nutrition.
Eds: J.P.F. D’Mello. Cab International, pp: 245-280.
Genstat 5 Release 3.2 (Pc/Windows 95), 1995. Lawes
Agricultural Trust (Rothamsted
Station), UK.
Gous, R.M., M.J. Griessel and T.R. Morris, 1987. Effect of
dietary energy concentration on the response of
laying hens to amino acids. Br. Poult. Sci., 28: 427-
436.
Gous, R.M. and F.J. Kleyn, 1989. Responses by laying
hens to energy and amino acids. In: Recent
Developments in Poultry Nutriton. Eds: Cole, D.J.A.
and Haresign, W.
Halima, H.M., 2007. Phenotypic
Characterization of Indigenous Chicken Populations
in Northwest Ethiopia. PhD Thesis, University of
Free State, Bloemfontein, South Africa, pp: 186.
Harms, R.H., B.L. Damron and P.W. Waldrop, 1966.
Influence of strain or breed upon the protein
requirement of laying hens. Poult. Sci., 45: 272-275.
Hiramoto, K., T. Muramatsu and J. Okumura, 1990.
Protein synthesis in tissues and in the whole body
of laying hens during egg formation. Poult. Sci., 69:
264-269.
Isika, M.A., B.I. Okon E.A. Agiang and J.A. Oluyemi, 2006.
Dietary energy and crude protein requirement for
chicks of Nigerian local fowl and crossbreds. Int. J.
Poult. Sci., 5: 271-274.
Leeson, S. and J.D. Summers, 1989. Response of
Leghorn pullets to protein and energy in the diet
when reared in regular or hot-cyclic environments.
Poult. Sci., 68: 546-557.
Mandlekar, D.H., 1981. A note on fertility and hatchability
and egg weight in broiler chicken. Ind. Poult. Rev., 9:
33-34.
Merrit, E.S. and R.O. Groove, 1965. Post embryonic
growth in relation to egg weight. Poult. Sci., 44: 477-
480.
MOALD and M., 1993. Ministry of Agriculture, Livestock
Development and Marketing, Annual Report. Animal
Production Division, Nairobi, Kenya.
MOLFD, 2004. Ministry of Livestock and Fisheries
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Division, Nairobi, Kenya.
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14.
Conclusions: The results suggest that the dietary crude
protein requirement for laying indigenous hens is about
120 g/kg and the maternal dietary protein has no effect
on hatchability and post-hatch feed intake, feed efficiency
and growth rate. This information will be useful in the
formulation of indigenous layer chicken diets with the
appropriate protein content.
ACKNOWLEDGEMENT
We very much appreciate the financial support from the
Agricultural Research Fund (ARF) to undertake this
study. We would like to thank the Centre Director KARI-
Naivasha, the Staff of the Poultry Unit of KARI-Naivasha
and Pitty Nyawira who assisted in data collection. We
would also like to thank the Management of Kenbrid
Farms-Naivasha, for their assistance in preparing the
experimental diets. We
contributions of Drs. I.S. Kosgey and B.O. Bebe for their
editorial input in preparing this manuscript.
also acknowledge the
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