Main Feed Ingredients Used in Raising Guinea Fowl

Egg weight when laid was stable at 42.6 g for small breeds, 43.3 g for medium breeds and 44.4 g for large breeds. The rate of fertile eggs reached over 89% [29].

1.2.2.3 Research on the nutrition of Guinea fowl

Energy is one of the important indicators to evaluate the nutritional value of food. For poultry, feces and urine are excreted at the same time, so in production practice, the energy value of food is often expressed in the form of metabolizable energy [14]. The main purpose of using food is to produce energy to supply body activities. First of all, food energy is met for the body's maintenance needs. When food provides energy exceeding maintenance needs, the body uses it for production tasks [16]. The excess energy supply compared to the needs will be converted into fat and stored in the poultry body [109]. Poultry receive food in the amount appropriate to their needs. Feed intake in poultry is inversely related to the energy content of the feed ration. Poultry eat more food when the food contains low energy and vice versa [20].

The energy of food absorbed and used by the body is called metabolic energy. The energy needs of poultry vary according to environmental temperature, breed, species, sex and production capacity of poultry [14]. According to Phung Duc Tien et al. (2006), the metabolic energy level for Guinea fowl raised for meat from 0 - 4 weeks of age is 3000 kcal/kg of feed, from 5 - 9 weeks of age is 3100 kcal/kg of feed, from 9 weeks to slaughter is 3200 kcal/kg of feed [29].

Normally, protein is not a source of energy in the diet but it contributes significantly to the energy needs of poultry. When the amount of lipid and carbohydrate provided is insufficient, protein will be used as the main source of energy for poultry [77]. The close relationship between energy exchange and protein is at a certain constant in the feed ration for each stage of development and production of poultry. That constant is calculated by the constant kcal ME/CP in the feed. According to Bui Duc Lung and Le Hong

Man (2001) suggested the ME/CP constant in feed for chicken ages such as 0 - 3 weeks old (broiler) is 127 - 130; 4 - 6 weeks old is 145 - 150; 7 weeks old to finish: 160 - 165 [20]. According to Phung Duc Tien et al. (2008), research results showed that when Sao chickens of different ages are raised with different diets. Sao chickens for breeding in the 0 - 6 week old stage are fed a protein level of 18 - 22%, energy of 2750 - 2950 kcal/kg of feed; in the preparatory stage (7 - 27 weeks old) protein is 15 - 17%, energy of 2700 - 2765 kcal/kg of feed; Reproductive stage: protein 17.5%, energy 2750 kcal/kg feed [30]. Guinea fowl raised for meat in stage 0 - 4 weeks: protein 22%, energy 3000 kcal/kg feed; stage 5 - 8 weeks: protein 20%, energy 2700 - 2765 kcal/kg feed; stage 9 weeks to slaughter: protein 18%, energy 3200 kcal/kg feed. After 12 weeks of raising for meat, the small line has an average weight of 1415 g, the medium line is 1420 g and the large line is 1891 g. Feed consumption/kg body weight gain of the small line is 2.53 kg, the medium line is 2.52 kg and the large line is 2.34 kg. The survival rate is from 96.6 - 98.3%. Protein ratio in thigh meat 21.2%, in breast meat 24.3%. Crude fat 0.43

- 1.02%. The ratio of thigh meat and breast meat ranges from 50.5 - 52.9%. The content of irreplaceable amino acids is high [30]. According to Phung Duc Tien et al. (2006), the nutritional index for the diet of Guinea fowl is presented in Table 1.10 [29].

Table 1.10 : Nutritional indicators for raising Sao chickens for meat

Target

0 - 4 weeks	5 - 8 weeks	9 weeks - finished
ME (kcal/kg)	3000	3000	3200
CP (%)	22	20	18
Ca (%)	1.20	1.00	0.90
P (%)	0.70 - 0.75	0.65 - 0.70	0.60 - 0.65
Lysine (%)	1.35	1.15	0.95
Methionine (%)	0.45 - 0.50	0.40 - 0.45	0.40 - 0.43

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According to Phung Duc Tien et al. (2006), the food intake and body weight of three Sao chicken lines imported from Hungary at different ages are presented in Table 1.11 [29].

Table 1.11 : Feed intake and body weight

Small line Medium line Large line

year oldTTTÁ

Week

KLCT	TTTÁ	KLCT	TTTÁ	KLCT
	g/head/day	(g)	g/head/day	(g)	g/head/day	(g)
1	8.81	73.2	8.85	74.2	9.81	90.3
2	19.3	135	19.4	140	24.4	175
3	23.2	221	23.3	231	33.6	276
4	28.2	326	28.2	336	39.7	392
5	32.4	442	32.5	456	43.3	523
6	42.9	565	42.9	581	53.3	669
7	45.7	696	45.8	720	58.7	846
8	48.8	843	48.9	865	65.1	1050
9	55.4	995	55.5	1025	68.7	1286
10	62.7	1155	62.7	1192	74.3	1505
11	68.5	1313	68.5	1328	78.3	1701
12	75.6	1415	75.6	1420	82.6	1891

TTTA: food consumption; KLCT: Body mass .

According to Phung Duc Tien et al. (2006), the CP level for Sao chicken raised for meat is from 0

- 4 weeks old is 22%, 5 - 9 weeks old is 20%, 9 weeks to slaughter is 18% [29].

In general, there are not many studies on the productivity and economic efficiency of Guinea fowl raised in Vietnam. The economic potential of this breed has not been properly assessed and replicated. In order to maintain and gradually improve the productivity of this new poultry source, while ensuring the supply of stable quality breeding stock, further research is needed on the adaptability to environmental conditions, disease resistance, nutritional needs, and appropriate feed for Guinea fowl to improve breeding efficiency and replicate the Guinea fowl breeding model.

1.3 MAIN FEED INGREDIENTS USED IN FARMING STAR CHICKEN

1.3.1 Corn

Corn includes 3 types: yellow corn, white corn and red corn. Yellow corn contains cryptoxanthin, a precursor of vitamin A. This pigment is related to the color of fat, meat when fattening livestock and the color of poultry egg yolks, enhancing consumer preferences [109]. Corn can be used in mixed feed for chickens from 30 - 50% [34]. Corn has high digestible energy, but low CP [88]. According to the Institute of Animal Husbandry (2001), corn has a high ME value of 3200 - 3300 kcal/kg [37]. According to Nguyen Thi Thuy Linh (2012), corn has DM 89.6%; OM 97.5%; CP 9.2%; EE 3.8%; CF 2.9%; NDF 24.5% Ash 2.5%; ME 13.9 MJ/kg [18].

Corn not only provides food for people and livestock but is also a crop that helps reduce hunger and poverty in provinces with difficult economic conditions. Corn production nationwide has continuously increased in area, productivity and output over the years: in 2001, the total corn area was 730 thousand hectares, by 2005 it had increased to over 1 million hectares; in 2012, the corn area nationwide was 1.121 million hectares, with a yield of 43.1 quintals/ha and an output of over 4.8 million tons [4].

Corn is a valuable food crop in many aspects, especially in terms of nutritional value. Corn kernels have CP of 10.6%, EE of 4 - 5% (in corn fat, 50% is linoleic acid, 31% is oleic acid, 13% is palmitic acid and 3% is stearic), carbohydrates in corn are about 69%, mainly starch. Yellow corn in particular contains a lot of carotene (provitamin A). Corn is poor in calcium, rich in phosphorus, but mainly phosphorus in the form of phytate [4].

Faced with the increasing demand for corn as raw material for animal feed processing, the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development encourages farmers and seeks solutions to develop corn rotation on rice fields in the Mekong Delta. Currently, corn growing areas in the Mekong Delta provinces are concentrated.

Mainly in Dong Thap and An Giang provinces, total planting area in 2012 was more than 15 thousand hectares [4].

Some studies on using corn in chicken farming

According to Nguyen Thuy Linh (2010), corn can be used up to 30% in the diet of Sao chickens. Corn has DM 88.7%; OM 96.5%; CP 9.2%; EE 3.8%; CF 3.1%; NDF 25.5% Ash 3.5%; ME 13.8 MJ/kg [17].

According to Nguyen Thanh Nhan (2012), corn can be used up to 35% in the diet of raising Golden and Fighting chickens. Corn has DM 91.4%; OM 96.9%; CP 8.9%; EE 3.9%; CF 3.21%; NDF 24.7% Ash 3.1%; ME 13.5 MJ/kg [23].

1.3.2 Plate

Broken rice is an energy-rich raw material, used in the diets of many types of livestock, especially in the diets of broilers, with high energy and low fiber content. The nutritional composition of a good broken rice sample is equivalent to rice [67]. The crude protein content of broken rice is 8.7% [98] and 9.56% [102]. In 2012, the entire Mekong Delta region put over 4.1 million hectares of land into rice cultivation, reaching 24.6 million tons of rice/year [3]. Thus, it is estimated that there are 2.46 million tons of broken rice annually if 10 kg of raw rice is calculated for 1 kg of broken rice.

Some studies on using panels in chicken farming

According to Truong Nguyen Nhu Huynh (2011), broken rice can be used up to 32% in the diet of Sao chickens [13]. Broken rice has DM 89.1%; OM 98.5%; CP 8.9%; EE 1.8%; CF 1.1%; NDF 7.5% Ash 1.5%; ME 13.8 MJ/kg [13].

According to Nguyen Huu Loi (2009), broken rice can be used up to 28% in the diet of Black chickens. Broken rice has DM 88.4%; OM 97.1%; CP 9.4%; EE 1.9%; CF 1.7%;

NDF 8.7% Ash 2.9%; ME 13.2 MJ/kg [19].

1.3.3 Rice bran

Rice bran is a by-product of rice milling so it is abundant in our country.

Rice bran has a low energy level of about 2300 - 2500 kcal/kg, and a relatively high CP content of 11 - 12% [34]. It also contains a lot of fat, 10 - 15% crude lipid, 8 - 9% crude fiber, 9 - 10% total minerals, vitamins, especially vitamin B1. 1 kg of rice bran contains about 22 mg of vitamin B1, 13 mg of B6, and 0.43 mg of biotin [22]. In chick feed, rice bran should be used at a level of 5 - 7%, and pullets and laying hens can use a higher ratio of 10 - 12% [34].

Some studies on using rice bran in chicken farming

According to Ton That Thinh (2010), rice bran can be used up to 9% in the diet of Sao chickens [32]. The bran has DM 86.1%; OM 89.5%; CP 13.9%; EE 18.8%;

CF 6.1%; NDF 31.5% Ash 10.5%; ME 13.1 MJ/kg [37].

According to Dang Hung Cuong (2011), bran can be used up to 11% in the diet of Sao chickens [9]. Bran has DM 87.4%; OM 97.5%; CP 13.4%; EE 17.9%;

CF 6.7%; NDF 30.7% Ash 2.5%; ME 12.9 MJ/kg [9].

1.3.4 Soybeans

Soybeans and soybean meal are protein-rich feeds that are ranked among the top protein-rich feeds for poultry in the world as well as in the country. Soybeans have a very high protein content compared to other beans, with dry seeds containing 36-37% crude protein and 17-18% crude fat. The by-product of soybeans after oil pressing is soybean meal, which is a very popular protein-rich feed today, containing 41-50% crude protein and low fiber content [109]. In the Mekong Delta, soybean meal is currently imported mainly from India and the US. Indian soybean meal contains 89.2% DM; 48% CP; 1.5% EE, 6% CF [23].

According to statistics from the General Statistics Office, domestic soybean production currently only meets 10% of demand. Compared to the North, soybean cultivation in the Mekong Delta has a higher yield, about 22 quintals/ha, while the North only reaches about 14.5 quintals/ha [4]. The rotation of rice - soybean in the Mekong Delta

Soybean cultivation in the Mekong River not only helps limit the life cycle of pests and diseases, but also contributes to making the soil more fertile, bringing high economic efficiency to rice. In addition, soybeans also help support the development of the livestock and aquaculture industries in stabilizing the source of raw materials for food processing. Currently, soybeans are grown mainly in provinces such as Tien Giang, Vinh Long, Dong Thap, An Giang, Can Tho, and Soc Trang [4].

1.3.5 Fish meal

Fish meal is rich in protein (40 - 50% CP) with a balanced amino acid composition, high lysine and methionine content, so its biological value is also higher than that of legumes. Most mineral elements, especially Ca, P and B vitamins are higher when compared to other protein sources and P is highly available [109]. When using high levels of fish meal (50 g/kg for the starter stage and 25 g/kg for the growth stage) for high final weight and weight gain due to stimulation of feed intake, fish meal contains 89.7% DM; 46.1% CP; 11.9% MJ ME/kg [37]. Kien Giang fish meal contains 90.5% DM; 60% CP; 6.94% EE; 20.5% Ash; 1.89% CF

[13].

1.3.6 Water subjects

According to the study of Du Thanh Hang and TR Preston (2010), taro can be used to feed pigs [64]. The leaves and stems of taro are rich in vitamins and minerals. In addition to providing thiamine, riboflavin, iron, phosphorus and zinc, taro also provides vitamins and minerals: vitamin B6, vitamin C, niacin, potassium, copper and manganese. The main reason why they are not used is because they cause itching [64].

Methods of calcium oxalate treatment in water taro

Drying: chopped leaves and stems are dried for 48 hours in a drying oven

at 65 0 C [64].

Cooking: The leaves and stems are chopped and put into boiling water at a ratio of 3 parts leaves: 2 parts water (fresh weight) for 4 - 5 minutes and then placed in a basket to wilt for 15 minutes [64].

Sunlight: The chopped leaves were dried in sunlight for 2 days at a temperature of about 34 0 C [64].

Soaking: finely chopped leaves are soaked in water at a ratio of 3 parts water: 1 part leaves (fresh weight) for 3 hours [64].

Silage: leaves and stems are chopped and left overnight indoors, then mixed with 3% molasses (fresh weight) and packed in airtight plastic bags for 21 days [64].

Table 1.12: Nutrient composition of water in treatment methods (DM)

treatment					mg/100g *
Fresh leaves	13.7	25.3	11.4	10.5	760
Drying	88.4	25.6	11.3	13.3	600
Soak	17.2	25.6	11.5	10.5	570
Cook	9.60	25.6	11.3	10.4	360
Silage	17.0	25.3	11.0	10.5	350

Direction

DM, % CP, % CF, % Ash, % Oxalate,

Source: Du Thanh Hang and Preston (2010), [64], *: the above samples were dried at 65 o C for 24 hours.

Drying, soaking, cooking, and pickling all reduce oxalate concentrations, but

The most obvious effect (50% reduction) was shown in the cooking and pickling methods [64].

1.3.7 Brewer's dregs

According to Nguyen Thi Kim Dong (2005), using brewer's dregs to raise poultry is very good, brewer's dregs as feed provide quite high protein [99]. In brewer's dregs there may be some unidentified factors that stimulate appetite, improve growth and feed conversion ratio in poultry, increase embryonic rate and hatching rate [70] [99]. Brewer's dregs have high CP content from 23 - 28%, 0.9% lysine, 0.3 - 0.6% methionine, ME of dregs

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