Evaluation of Poultry Feed Quality in Some Factories in Khartoum State

Abstract

This study was carried out to assess the quality of poultry feeds in some factories sold for poultry farmers compared to National Research Council (NRC,1994) and Sudanese Standards and Metrological Organization (SSMO,2015) standards. Chemical analysis using Association of official analytical chemists (AOAC, 1990 ) methods was used to assess the quality of 17 samples of poultry feeds ( 6 broiler starter , 6 broiler finisher and 5 samples layer feed ) collected randomly from six factories (A, B, C, D, E, and F) during 2013. Dry matter (DM%), crude protein [CP%], ether extract (EE%), crude fiber (CF%), ash% and aflatoxin (ppb) were recorded. Metabolizable energy (ME) was calculated by the equation of Lodhi (1976).Major minerals Ca%, Zn%, K% and Na% and oligo elements Fe (mg/kg), Mg (mg/kg) and Mn( mg/kg) were determined. The analytical results revealed that in most broiler starter feeds CP content fell within the level(23%) except feed E showed lower CP percent (18.3%).The CP of broiler finisher feeds were of 20% feed A to 23.16% feed B. For broiler starter feed the metabolizable energy ( ME) content ranged from 2914 Kcal/Kg in feed E to 3282 Kcal/Kg in feed F and the finisher feeds ranged from 2747 Kcal/Kg feed E to 3349 Kcal/Kg feed A. Most of feeds had a satisfactory levels of ME except feed E which contained a slightly low ME .The mean CF content of all feeds varied from 3.5% to 5.5% whereas the maximum recommended level is 5 %.DM contents were within the acceptable ranges of (NRC,1994 and SSMO,2015).In both broiler starter and finisher feeds, feed A, D, and F had slightly fat content ( 6.6 – 7.5 %) in contrast feed B, C and E had lower fat content compared to the required levels. Low levels of ash 2.62 – 7.05% than the required level (8 %) were recorded in all broiler starter and finisher feeds except broiler starter feed E showed higher level of ash (14.6 %) than the recommendation. Aflatoxins (ppb) were recorded in broiler starter feeds A, C and D (49.15, 35.63, 35.31 ppb ) and broiler finisher feeds B and C (27.22 and 43.59 ppb) compared to the permitted level (≤20 ppb). For all layer feeds the average CP content ranged between 17.86% to 18.6.% except feed D which contained CP (20.98%) while than recommendations are around (17 -18%).Meanwhile, ME ranged from 2679.2 Kcal/Kg to 3127.9Kcal/Kg the recommendations being ranged from 2749 Kcal/Kg to 2900 Kcal/Kg. Fat and DM contents fell within the acceptable ranges (2-5% for fat) and (90 – 95% for DM) .On the other hand, all feeds were generally high in ash content (10.33 – 20.85%) compared to the recommended level (8%).All feeds had acceptable ranges of CF (3.5 - 4.5%) and aflatoxin content (7.6 - 18.3 ppb ). For broiler starter feeds Fe, Mg and Na content were too low compared to the required levels(80 mg/kg, 600mg/kg and 0.2 % respectively),mean while K, Mn and Zn showed higher values except feed B and C showed lower Zn content (21.3 and 33.63%).Ca content ranged between 0.83 to 0.88% which is almost within the required levels (0.9 to 1%) except feed E contained very high level of Ca (3.4%).On the other hand, higher levels of K, Na, Mn and Zn were recorded in all broiler finisher feeds except feed B and C recorded lower values of Zn (0.22 and 0.49 %).Low levels of Fe and Mg were noticed in all feeds except feed F contained the recommended level of Fe (80.03mg/kg).Ca contents in all feeds were generally satisfactory( 0.83 to 0.91%0) except feed D and E contained very low levels of Ca (0.24 and 0.49%). Generally in all layer feeds Ca, Fe, Mg, Mn and Na contents were lower than the recommended levels except feed D and E showed higher levels of Fe (62.4 and 69.1mg/kg).On the contrary K (0.49 – 0.55%) and Zn (55.26 - 92.45%) contents were higher. It could be concluded that the variations observed among different poultry feeds compared to (NRC1994) and (SSMO 2015) specifications strongly indicate that confirmatory analyses should be conducted at regular intervals to control feed quality, also the absence of relevant authorities of follow-up and control of feed quality marketed indicates possibility of unbalanced feed problems that affect production negatively.