Identification and Characterization of Locally Available Feed Resources for Native Chickens (Gallus gallus) in Selected Towns of Benguet

Abstract

This study was carried out to identify the existing locally available feed resources for non-descript chicken in selected towns of Benguet; document the basic information on the use of locally available feed resource for native chicken; determine the nutritive content of some of the identified locally available feed resources and classify the based on crude protein content. The study consisted of two activities: identification and documentation of lesser known feedstuffs and determine its nutrient content through proximate analysis. There were 13 identified locally available feed resources namely: bila/ galyang/ aba (Xanthosoma sagittifolium), togi / lokto or sweet potato tubers (Ipomoea batatas), rice paddy/ broken rice/ rice bran (Oryza sativa), chayote (Sechium edule), kakaiw or cassava (Manihot esculenta), madre de agua or nacedero (Trichanthera gigantea), kukuyo or kikuyu (Pennisetum clandestinum), bulong ti togi or sweet potato leaves (Ipomoea batatas), sakati or napier grass (Pennisetum purpureum), and azolla (Azolla sp.). Five (5) were commonly utilized feedstuffs across the study sites, namely: bila/galyang/ aba (Xanthosoma sagittifolium), togi or sweet potato tubers (Ipomoea batatas), rice paddy/ broken rice/ rice bran (Oryza sativa), and chayote (Sechium edule). However, kakaiw or cassava (Manihot esculenta), madre de agua or naceder. (Trichanthera gigantea), kukuyo or kikuyu (Pennisetum clandestinum), sakati or napier grass (Pennisetum purpureum), and azolla (Azolla sp.) are being utilized by less number of respondents across the study sites but it has been extensively used as feed not only for poultry animals but also to the ruminants. On the other hand, there were 4 identified lesser-known feedstuffs, namely: langas/ balat or banana trunk (Musa sp.), banana peels (Musa sp), bulong ti togi (Ipomoea batatas), and gallod (Dioscorea alata). Of the identified lesser-known feed resources, only one was subjected to proximate analysis. These were gallod (Dioscorea alata) which has a nutrient content of composition of 5.05 %, 6.6 %, 0.24 %, 3.86 % and 84.06 %, ash, crude protein, crude fat, crude fiber, NFE (Nitrogen Free Extract), respectively. The nutrient composition of the locally available feed resources was categorized as fair to very good. Plants that were categorized as “very good” sources of protein includes, madre de agua (Trichanthera gigantea), sweet potato leaves (Ipomoea batatas), and azolla (Azolla sp.) with a crude protein of 17.9 %, 16.5 %, and 20.6%, respectively. On the other hand, kikuyu (Pennisetum clandestinum) and sakati (Pennisetum purpuruem) were categorized as good because it has a crude protein content of 15.1 % and 9.7 %. While the remaining, balat/ langas (Musa sp), banana peels (Musa sp), bila/ galyang/ aba (Xanthosoma sagittifolium), togi/ lokto (Ipomoea batatas), gallod (Dioscorea alata), and cassava (Manihot esculenta) were categorized as fair with 3.5 %, 6.7%, 6.8 %, 5.5 %, 6.6 %, and 2.6 %, respectively.