Abstract
The study was aimed at to determining the responses of crossbred chicken (Rhode Island Red male Fayoumi female) to diets of different dietary densities (low nutrient density, moderate nutrient density and high nutrient density) formulated with locally available feed ingredients for different stages of production under semi-scavenging, confinement systems of rearing. Least-cost diets were formulated on the basis of estimated nutrient densities, chemical composition and price of the feed ingredients. A series of feeding trials were conducted with such diets at different stages of production under farm and village conditions. Chemical analyses revealed that unconventional feed ingredients like broken rice contained highest energy; duckweeds, ipil-ipil leaves and spent tea leaves were moderate sources of protein and eggshell was a good source of calcium. All these ingredients may be included in the formulation of diets. Responses of chicken to varying nutrient densities indicated that except a few minor exceptions, diets of high nutrient density was most effective for enhancing productivity particularly for grower and layer pullets in both farm and village semi-scavenging conditions. Egg quality traits of layers fed high nutrient dense (HND) diet was either similar or better than that on diets of moderate nutrient density. It was therefore, concluded that it is possible to develop least-cost diet for semi- scavenging F1 crossbred (RIR ♂ × Fayoumi) chickens by incorporating unconventional feed ingredients to optimize growth and production. However, dependence on imported feed ingredients to develop such diets may be reduced if production of unconventional feed is increased and availability is ensured throughout the year.