The major toxins and pathogens in fish meal were investigated because of food industry, public and animal health concerns. The effect of processing, the type of raw material used and storage conditions on the main toxin, histamine which causes gizzard erosion in poultry, and its formation in fish meal were investigated. The results showed that histamine and histamine-like amines in fish meal varied in levels between batches depending on the quality of raw material and type of fish used. The relationship between histamine and histamine-like amines levels was unclear. During laboratory processing of fish meal it was found that most histamine concentrated in the stickwater which had implications for the use of stickwater meal in feeds. Interestingly, histamine was detected in the stickwater meal of cod as well as mackerel. A decrease in histamine in mackerel meal and cod meal during processing was observed with respect to levels in raw material. The decrease maybe originated after the cooking stage especially in the stickwater meal (probably due to bacterial recontamination or enzymatic reactions). The decrease could be due to histamine either adhering to the equipment used or breakdown to its metabolites or derivitising to gizzerosine. Since very low levels of histamine were observed from meals produced from reasonably fresh fish, the control of histamine therefore is best achieved at the raw material stage of production. During storage trials, there was no increase in histamine levels but a decrease occurred gradually with time at 15°C, 70% RH. Rapid loss occurred at 25 and 30°C, 80% RH and heavy mould growth was also observed, although no mycotoxins were detected in analysed samples. Routine analytical methods were studied and compared for the requirements of the fish meal industry and poultry farmers. Problems occurred with the colorimetric method when applied to fish meal and fish samples containing bones due to the presence of calcium. It was modified for routine histamine analysis. Thin Layer Chromatography was the second alternative. Although High Performance Liquid Chromatography was suitable for analysing histamine and histamine-like amines together, it did lack in meeting industrial requirements. Since the modified colorirnetric method was labour intensive, despite its other advantages, there was still a need for a simpler and quicker method of analysis. For this reason, research work was carried out to develop an immunoassay for histamine analysis. The results showed that it was possible to raise antibody against histamine and suggested future research potential. Hygienic conditions of laboratory scale fish meal production were investigated. The presence of Salmonella, which leads to human salmonellosis, and E. coli 0157:H7 which also cause human food poisoning were studied. The results showed that the critical control point of fish meal production was after cooking, since recontamination can occur. Salmonella was present in several batches of commercial and laboratory processed samples, but no E. coli 0157:H7 was detected in analysed samples. Three rapid methods were compared to traditional method for Salmonella analysis particularly in fish meal. The immunoassay method introduced by Institute of Food Research, Norwich was found the most suitable because it was sensitive, specific and took about one day to complete.

No description available.

Raising-animals industry which is one of the most competitive industry in our agricultural industry has faced the significant changes since 1997 because of the food and mouth disease . These raisers achievement became nothing in very short time. The joint of WTO makes the situation worse what is the future of the industry? How to solve the present problem, we have to figure out a series of competitive models . The goal of the research is discuss the main factors of the successful industry from the changes of environment , so that we can understand the competitive ability. After 1 the industry was affected by outer environment, we found the material in Taiwan are all from other countries import, some companies whose policy is low costs do not have competitive advantages; however , the compress of outer markets and sale ways become strong competitive advantages . 2 The organization of feedstuffs factory was affected by the change of outer environment after that they will hire inner managers because of the attempt of CEO and the competitive policy . The companies have revolutions for transference and the crisis in running companies. 3 The way to change an organization is to reform the process so that the organization has more advantages. Flaten the organization ,obviously it lacks flexibilities ,compare with them ,there is no obvious differences in running situation. 4 The advantages of process revolution; (1) It is easier to change the staff, because the construction of organization has less changes. (2) The nuclear competitive ability of company structure which has definite goals ,so that would succeed easily (3) Meet customers` needs and create values is more practical. (4) Companies create something new easily and are more positive so that can close to customers needs and reach the goals. (5) Face the multiple and complicated environments ,the revolutions of companies are more flexible and easier to achieve what the markets need.

The objective of this study was to evaluate the lighter fraction of DDGS as a possible feedstuff for cattle. To accomplish this, a digestion trial was performed to determine nutrient digestibility and crude protein retention by steers consuming the lighter fraction of DDGS. Steers received L, a diet containing the lighter fraction of DDGS, D, a diet containing whole DDGS, or C, a control diet. Steers receiving L consumed less DM than steers receiving D and C. CP retention and digestibilities of DM, OM, ash, NDF, ADF, HC, and energy did not differ among steers in different treatment groups. Fat digestibility was greatest for steers consuming L and D. Steers consuming L digested more CP than steers receiving C, with steers consuming D being in between. These data suggest that the lighter fraction of DDGS can be effectively fed to cattle without adversely affecting digestibility.

The expansion of aquaculture has increased demand for fishmeal supplies around the world; this, in turn, has resulted in dramatic increases in the cost of fishmeal, which has sparked interest in alternative feedstuffs. The development of new processing technologies, as well as the expanding generation of by-products from ethanol production has resulted in the development of novel protein sources that have the potential for replacing fishmeal in aquafeeds. The present study assessed the nutritional value of soy protein concentrate (SoyPC), barley protein concentrate (BarPC) and corn protein concentrate (CornPC) in the diet of red drum. Three sequential feeding trials were conducted; in these 50%, 75%, or 90% of the protein provided by Special SelectTM menhaden fishmeal in the reference diet was replaced with either SoyPC, BarPC, or CornPC in isonitrogenous (40% CP), isoenergetic (3.1kcal g-1) diets. Red drum with an average weight of 2.5 g, 1.6 g, and 1.5 g for trials 1, 2, and 3, respectively, were stocked in a recirculating system and fed twice daily at a rate approaching apparent satiation for 6 to 8 weeks. Along with the substitution of the selected plant feedstuffs, supplementation of DL-methionine and L-lysine was provided to exceed the established requirements of red drum for lysine and methionine, and glycine was added for palatability. Performance parameters of weight gain, feed efficiency, survival, hepatosomatic index, intraperitoneal fat ratio, and apparent digestibility coefficients for protein along with proximate composition of whole-body tissues were determined in the various trials. Results showed that 50% replacement of fishmeal protein by each of the protein concentrates produced fish performance, condition indices, and whole-body composition similar to those produced by the reference diet. However, replacing 75% and 90% of fishmeal protein with each of the plant protein concentrates reduced fish performance but not as severely as replacing all of the fishmeal protein with equal (33%) contributions from SoyPC, BarPC, and CornPC. Contrarily, these dietary substitutions did not reduce the apparent protein digestibility of the experimental diets. Based on the various results of this study, SoyPC, BarPC, and CornPC can readily replace 50% of the protein provided by menhaden fishmeal without adversely affecting the performance of cultured red drum.

The widespread increase in use of maize-based feedstuffs in California dairy cow rations has raised concerns of reduced efficiency of CP utilization due to the low lysine content of maize and maize by-products. The objectives of this research were to determine the impact of increased dietary maize CP levels on animal performance using three metabolic models of dairy cows in order to predict limiting AA’s in California dairy rations to identify a ruminally protected AA package to supplement similar rations. Since lysine was the most consistently predicted limiting AA among dairies, and metabolic models, the dairy with the ration calculated to be the most limiting in lysine was chosen to determine effects of feeding an RPL product on milk production and composition, as well as on N balance. Nutrient profiles of 16 high multiparity cow rations were evaluated and limiting AA predicted by the metabolic models Amino Cow, CPM Dairy and Shield. Higher inclusion levels of maize products in rations increased the contribution of maize CP to the total CP content of the TMR, to between 20 – 40%, but had no impact on cow performance. Even though the lysine to methionine ratio decreased as more maize CP was included in the TMR, it did not have a major impact on the final predicted AA profile of MP, or milk component levels, but, according to Shield, it had an effect on milk yield. Methionine, isoleucine and lysine were predicted to be most limiting according to Amino Cow, CPM Dairy and Shield respectively. The models suggested three dramatically different AA packages but the high degree of consistency within model in predicting the limiting AA sequence among dairies, suggest that there may be sufficient consistency in the nutrient profiles among rations to support production of a ruminally protected AA complex. The second experiment used a double (i.e., early and mid-lactation multiparity dairy cows) 2 x 2 factorial with 28 day experimental periods. Feeding the RPL, with estimated rumen escape of lysine between 18 and 23% suggesting an increased intestinal absorption of lysine between 8 and 22 g/d/cow, did not influence DMI or milk, true protein and lactose yields. Milk fat yield and concentration decreased, while MUN percentages increased when RPL was fed. Blood plasma levels of almost all AA’s, except lysine, decreased when RPL was fed, suggesting that lysine was the limiting AA and that its supplementation led to increased absorption and utilization of other AA. The lack of response in milk protein synthesis and the decrease in plasma 3-MH concentrations when RPL was fed suggests that muscle protein synthesis was stimulated, and degradation reduced, with RPL feeding. It is possible that lysine had an effect, either directly or indirectly, on muscle protein turnover and energy metabolism that, impacted intakes, metabolism and absorption of AA and milk production in mid lactation cows, but it had no major impact on early lactation cows. Copyright / Dissertation (MSc(Agric))--University of Pretoria, 2009. / Animal and Wildlife Sciences / unrestricted

Com o objetivo de avaliar a efetividade da fibra de volumosos e subprodutos, foram conduzidos dois experimentos utilizando vacas em lactação. No experimento I, cinco vacas holandesas com cânulas no rúmen e duodeno foram utilizadas em um delineamento quadrado latino 5 x 5 para avaliar a efetividade da fibra da cana-de-açúcar "in natura" (CAN) ou tratada com NaOH (CAS). Duas dietas, uma com baixa e outra alta porcentagem de FDN oriunda de forragem (14 e 22% de FDN na MS a partir de silagem de milho, respectivamente), foram comparadas com dietas balanceadas para conter 14% de FDN de silagem de milho e 8% de FDN proveniente CAN, CAS ou feno de alfafa (FA), em porcentagem da MS. O consumo de matéria seca, produção e composição do leite não foram afetados pela concentração ou fonte de FDN das dietas. O pH ruminal, proporções molares de ácidos graxos voláteis e relação acetato:propionato foram afetados pela concentração e fonte de FDN das dietas. O tempo de mastigação (min./d e min./kg de MS) foi menor na dieta com 14% de FDN, porém não diferiu para as dietas com 22% de FDN de forragem. Considerando os resultados para teor de gordura no leite e comportamento ingestivo foi possível concluir que as forragens avaliadas apresentaram efetividades da fibra equivalentes. No experimento II, seis vacas holandesas com cânulas no rúmen foram utilizadas em um delineamento quadrado latino 6 x 6 para avaliar a importância da presença de linter ou tamanho de partículas da semente de algodão na sustentação da função ruminal e atividade de mastigação em dietas com baixa porcentagem de forragem. Quatro formas de processamento das sementes foram utilizadas e as vacas receberam seis dietas completas que constituíram os seguintes tratamentos: Dieta baixa forragem (DBF) - dieta com 16% de FDN de forragem (FDNF); Dieta alta forragem (DAF) - dieta com 21% de FDNF; linter - dieta com 16% de FDNF + 5% de FDN de sementes de algodão; amido - dieta com 16% de FDNF + 5% de FDN de sementes tratadas com amido gelatinizado de milho; sem linter - dieta com 16% de FDNF + 5% de FDN de sementes sem linter; peletizada - dieta com 16% de FDNF + 5% de FDN de sementes peletizadas. O consumo de matéria seca não foi afetado pela forma de processamento das sementes, porém, foi observado aumento no consumo de MS, quando as dietas com sementes foram comparadas à dieta com 21% de FDN. A produção de leite foi maior para dieta com 16% de FDNF, porém, não houve efeito de tratamento sobre a porcentagem de gordura no leite. Os tempos de ruminação e mastigação (min./kg de MS e min./kg de FDN) foram menores para as dietas com semente de algodão, quando comparadas à dieta com 21% de FDNF. A efetividade da fibra de semente de algodão foi ligeiramente inferior a de forragens, porém, não foi possível definir se linter ou tamanho de partículas foram os fatores determinantes da efetividade. / Two experiments were conducted to evaluate fiber effectiveness of forages and byproducts. In experiment I, five ruminally cannulated Holstein cows were used in a 5 x 5 Latin square design to evaluate fiber effectiveness of sugarcane (SC) and sodium hydroxide treated sugarcane (SHSC). Low and high forage diets (14 and 22% of dietary DM from corn silage NDF, respectively) were compared with diets formulated to contain 14% of DM from corn silage NDF plus 8% of DM from SC NDF or SHSC NDF or alfalfa hay NDF (AF). Dry matter intake, milk yield and composition did not differ across diets. Ruminal pH, VFA and acetate:propionate were affected by level and source of NDF. Chewing time (min./d and min./kg of DMI) was lower for low forage diet but, did not differ between high forage, SC, SHSC and AF diets. The results suggest that SC, SHSC and AF were as effective as corn silage for maintaining milk fat test and stimulating chewing. In experiment II, six ruminally cannulated Holstein cows were used in a 6 x 6 Latin square design to evaluate the role of specific fractions of whole cottonseeds in sustaining rumen function as mesuared by mat consistency, particulate passage rate, and chewing response. Whole cottonseeds (WCS), starch-coated WCS (EAS), mechanically delinted cottonseed (DEL) and pelleted WCS (PEL) were used and the six dietary treatments were: low forage diet (LFD) - 16% of DM from forage NDF (FNDF); high forage diet (HFD) - 21% of DM from FNDF; WCS - 16% FNDF plus 5% of DM from WCS NDF; EAS - 16% FNDF plus 5% of DM from EAS cottonseed; DEL - 16% FNDF plus 5% of DM from DEL cottonseed, and PEL - 16% FNDF plus 5% of DM from DEL cottonseed, and PEL - 16% FDNF plus 5% of DM from pelleted WCS. Dry matter intake did not differ across cottonseed treatments but it was higher than HFD treatment. Milk yield was higher for LFD but, milk fat percentage was not affected treatments. Ruminating and chewing activity were lower for cottonseed diets than HFD. Fiber effectiveness was lower for cottonseed and it was not possible to isolate the role of linter or particle size in sustaining rumen.

Com o objetivo de avaliar a efetividade da fibra de volumosos e subprodutos, foram conduzidos dois experimentos utilizando vacas em lactação. No experimento I, cinco vacas holandesas com cânulas no rúmen e duodeno foram utilizadas em um delineamento quadrado latino 5 x 5 para avaliar a efetividade da fibra da cana-de-açúcar "in natura" (CAN) ou tratada com NaOH (CAS). Duas dietas, uma com baixa e outra alta porcentagem de FDN oriunda de forragem (14 e 22% de FDN na MS a partir de silagem de milho, respectivamente), foram comparadas com dietas balanceadas para conter 14% de FDN de silagem de milho e 8% de FDN proveniente CAN, CAS ou feno de alfafa (FA), em porcentagem da MS. O consumo de matéria seca, produção e composição do leite não foram afetados pela concentração ou fonte de FDN das dietas. O pH ruminal, proporções molares de ácidos graxos voláteis e relação acetato:propionato foram afetados pela concentração e fonte de FDN das dietas. O tempo de mastigação (min./d e min./kg de MS) foi menor na dieta com 14% de FDN, porém não diferiu para as dietas com 22% de FDN de forragem. Considerando os resultados para teor de gordura no leite e comportamento ingestivo foi possível concluir que as forragens avaliadas apresentaram efetividades da fibra equivalentes. No experimento II, seis vacas holandesas com cânulas no rúmen foram utilizadas em um delineamento quadrado latino 6 x 6 para avaliar a importância da presença de linter ou tamanho de partículas da semente de algodão na sustentação da função ruminal e atividade de mastigação em dietas com baixa porcentagem de forragem. Quatro formas de processamento das sementes foram utilizadas e as vacas receberam seis dietas completas que constituíram os seguintes tratamentos: Dieta baixa forragem (DBF) – dieta com 16% de FDN de forragem (FDNF); Dieta alta forragem (DAF) - dieta com 21% de FDNF; linter – dieta com 16% de FDNF + 5% de FDN de sementes de algodão; amido – dieta com 16% de FDNF + 5% de FDN de sementes tratadas com amido gelatinizado de milho; sem linter – dieta com 16% de FDNF + 5% de FDN de sementes sem linter; peletizada – dieta com 16% de FDNF + 5% de FDN de sementes peletizadas. O consumo de matéria seca não foi afetado pela forma de processamento das sementes, porém, foi observado aumento no consumo de MS, quando as dietas com sementes foram comparadas à dieta com 21% de FDN. A produção de leite foi maior para dieta com 16% de FDNF, porém, não houve efeito de tratamento sobre a porcentagem de gordura no leite. Os tempos de ruminação e mastigação (min./kg de MS e min./kg de FDN) foram menores para as dietas com semente de algodão, quando comparadas à dieta com 21% de FDNF. A efetividade da fibra de semente de algodão foi ligeiramente inferior a de forragens, porém, não foi possível definir se linter ou tamanho de partículas foram os fatores determinantes da efetividade. / Two experiments were conducted to evaluate fiber effectiveness of forages and byproducts. In experiment I, five ruminally cannulated Holstein cows were used in a 5 x 5 Latin square design to evaluate fiber effectiveness of sugarcane (SC) and sodium hydroxide treated sugarcane (SHSC). Low and high forage diets (14 and 22% of dietary DM from corn silage NDF, respectively) were compared with diets formulated to contain 14% of DM from corn silage NDF plus 8% of DM from SC NDF or SHSC NDF or alfalfa hay NDF (AF). Dry matter intake, milk yield and composition did not differ across diets. Ruminal pH, VFA and acetate:propionate were affected by level and source of NDF. Chewing time (min./d and min./kg of DMI) was lower for low forage diet but, did not differ between high forage, SC, SHSC and AF diets. The results suggest that SC, SHSC and AF were as effective as corn silage for maintaining milk fat test and stimulating chewing. In experiment II, six ruminally cannulated Holstein cows were used in a 6 x 6 Latin square design to evaluate the role of specific fractions of whole cottonseeds in sustaining rumen function as mesuared by mat consistency, particulate passage rate, and chewing response. Whole cottonseeds (WCS), starch-coated WCS (EAS), mechanically delinted cottonseed (DEL) and pelleted WCS (PEL) were used and the six dietary treatments were: low forage diet (LFD) – 16% of DM from forage NDF (FNDF); high forage diet (HFD) – 21% of DM from FNDF; WCS – 16% FNDF plus 5% of DM from WCS NDF; EAS - 16% FNDF plus 5% of DM from EAS cottonseed; DEL - 16% FNDF plus 5% of DM from DEL cottonseed, and PEL - 16% FNDF plus 5% of DM from DEL cottonseed, and PEL - 16% FDNF plus 5% of DM from pelleted WCS. Dry matter intake did not differ across cottonseed treatments but it was higher than HFD treatment. Milk yield was higher for LFD but, milk fat percentage was not affected treatments. Ruminating and chewing activity were lower for cottonseed diets than HFD. Fiber effectiveness was lower for cottonseed and it was not possible to isolate the role of linter or particle size in sustaining rumen.

There is a growing market for specialty poultry production using alternative genotypes and management systems. However, producers interested in specialty poultry production face several challenges. One challenge is that little published data exists regarding the growth and production parameters for alternative genotypes like slow-growing meat strains and heritage breeds. To address this challenge, research at the University of Kentucky examined the effect of feed strategies, alternative feedstuffs, and dietary enzymes on the growth and performance of heritage breeds of chicken used for either egg- or meat-production. The first trial documented the growth and nutrient intake of pullets from three heritage breeds (Rhode Island Red, Barred Plymouth Rock, and Black Australorp) and three egg-laying strains (Red Star, Black Star, and ISA Brown) on a self-selection feeding program through nineteen weeks of age. The second trial documented the growth and nutrient intake of males from those same three heritage breeds, a slow-growing meat-type strain (Red Ranger), and males and females from a fast-growing meat-type strain (Cornish Cross). Birds used a self-selection feeding program and were grown to a common weight of 2300 grams. Carcass characteristics of these birds were evaluated in the third trial. The fourth trial evaluated the partial replacement of corn and soybean meal with alternative feedstuffs (field peas, buckwheat, and flax seed) and dietary enzymes on the performance of straight-run commercial broilers and two alternative breeds of chickens: males from a Black Sex-Link cross and straight-run Rhode Island Reds. The fifth trial examined the use of sorghum and field peas to completely replace corn and soybean meal in formulated diets for two heritage breeds (Rhode Island Red and Barred Plymouth Rock). Results of these trials showed that heritage breed pullets had similar growth parameters and nutrient intake as commercial egg-laying strains. Heritage breed cockerels grew significantly slower and exhibited poorer feed efficiency than meat-type birds, but seemed to tolerate low nutrient density diets better. Overall, the findings of these studies could help producers interested in raising slow-growing meat-type chickens and heritage breeds create accurate business plans and determine if they can profitably produce meat and/or eggs for niche markets.

Cette étude propose des voies damélioration de lalimentation de la pintade locale à laide de ressources alimentaires non-conventionnelles au Bénin. La première partie de ce travail fait le point sur lutilisation des ressources alimentaires non-conventionnelles et particulièrement des graines de Mucuna spp. dans lalimentation de la volaille. Elle envisage le contexte de leur utilisation, leurs valeurs nutritionnelles ainsi que les contraintes liées à leur valorisation avant denvisager les effets des diverses techniques de traitement sur la réduction des teneurs en diverses substances toxiques et sur leur composition chimique. La seconde partie porte sur létude des élevages traditionnels et les compare à une forme délevage contrôlé en station. Au Bénin, comme dans la plupart des pays au Sud du Sahara, lélevage traditionnel de la volaille est caractérisé par un système extensif peu productif et divaguant, où les animaux se nourrissent essentiellement sur les parcours. Ils disposent dabris sommaires et exigus et ne bénéficient ni de programmes de prophylaxie sanitaire ni dune alimentation adaptée. Toutefois, certains éleveurs distribuent en supplément des céréales ou dautres ressources non conventionnelles. Dans ces conditions, les performances pondérales des pintades ont été de 1121 ± 100 g à six mois dâge. En milieu contrôlé, cest-à-dire où les animaux étaient logés en permanence, nourris à laide dune provende formulée, séparés par sexe et vermifugés, le poids moyen à âge identique des mâles a été de 1151 ± 108 g contre 1085 ± 74 g pour celui des femelles. Dans les élevages traditionnels, les animaux vermifugés ont présenté une supériorité pondérale (1221 ± 107 g) par rapport au groupe non traité (1007 ± 31 g). Les performances de croissance des oiseaux élevés en milieu contrôlé nont pas été meilleures comparativement aux pintades du milieu rural, bien que les aliments utilisés en milieu contrôlé aient été conformes aux normes de la littérature. Létude des performances de reproduction dans le milieu rural et en milieu contrôlé situe lâge des femelles à la première ponte entre 7 et 9 mois avec un poids moyen de 1220 ± 97 g. Les pontes sont hivernales et les couvées sont réalisées dans 95,5 % des cas par les poules avec un nombre moyen de 14 ± 4 ufs incubés par poule et un taux global déclosion de 70 % pour une durée moyenne dincubation de 26 jours. La chute de la probabilité de survie a été la plus importante durant les 50 premiers jours de vie au cours desquels un taux de mortalité de près de 50 % a été observé. Malgré donc son importance économique, nutritionnelle et sociale, lélevage traditionnel de pintade au Bénin reste peu productif en raison de nombreuses contraintes incluant une forte mortalité juvénile, diverses pathologies, la prédation, le climat, le logement et une alimentation inadéquate. La troisième partie fait linventaire du régime alimentaire des animaux divaguant, par analyse du contenu de jabot. Elle a ainsi permis de préciser la composition de la ration journalière de ces animaux, y compris la complémentation reçue par les éleveurs afin doptimiser la production. Les ingrédients trouvés dans les jabots ont été identifiés et regroupés en six catégories principales à savoir : la supplémentation, les graines des végétaux de parcours, leurs feuilles, les produits animaux, les minéraux et les éléments non identifiés. La quantité et la proportion des suppléments et des graines des végétaux nétaient pas significativement différentes entre les saisons tandis que celles des feuilles de végétaux, des produits animaux et des minéraux étaient plus élevées au cours de la saison des pluies. Les suppléments, en occurrence le maïs et le sorgho, étaient les composants majoritaires au cours des deux saisons. Les graines de végétaux les plus consommés provenaient de Panicum maximum (saison des pluies) et de Rottboellia cochinchinensis (saison sèche). Les teneurs des contenus de jabot en matière organique, extractif non azoté, et en énergie métabolisable étaient plus élevées en saison sèche, par contre les concentrations des minéraux étaient plus élevées en saison pluvieuse. Aucune différence na été notée entre les deux saisons en termes de matière sèche, protéines brutes et en fibres brutes. Lidentification et la quantification des différents composants alimentaires, ainsi que la détermination de la composition chimique et de la valeur alimentaire des aliments ingérés par les pintades au cours de la divagation a mis en évidence des déficits structurels mais également conjoncturels liés aux variations saisonnières de la qualité, de la disponibilité ou de laccessibilité des aliments pendant certaines périodes de lannée. Des corrections adéquates pour améliorer la production de la pintade en milieu villageois ont ainsi pu être proposées. Les graines de mucuna, en raison de leur composition nutritive, ont été proposées comme élément de solution à ce problème. La quatrième étude a été réalisée afin dévaluer leffet de deux traitements de base (chaleur humide et chaleur sèche) sur la teneur des facteurs anti-nutritionnels, la composition chimique et la digestibilité des graines de mucuna. Les traitements thermiques ont amélioré les teneurs en protéines tandis que les taux de fibres brutes ont été réduits. Les teneurs en L-dopa, principal élément toxique de la graine de mucuna, ont augmenté en fonction du taux dincorporation de la graine. Une réduction significative de 52 % du taux de la L-Dopa a été constatée dans les graines bouillies par rapport à celles qui ont été toastées. Le traitement thermique a influencé significativement la digestibilité des nutriments, excepté celle de la matière grasse. Il en a été conclu que les graines de mucuna traitées adéquatement peuvent être utilisées pour nourrir la pintade. La cinquième étude a porté sur lutilisation des graines de mucuna et des feuilles et cossettes de manioc sur les performances de croissance et la qualité de la viande des pintades. Des effets dépressifs sur la croissance des pintades et une réduction drastique de la consommation alimentaire ont été notés dans les groupes recevant des graines de mucuna crues. Le poids moyen de la carcasse ainsi que les différents morceaux de la découpe ont été significativement plus faibles que dans le groupe témoin. Cependant, la production de viande a été similaire entre les groupes témoin et ceux ayant reçu la graine de mucuna bouillie. Une augmentation significative du poids du gésier a été observée dans les lots ayant reçu les aliments contenant le mucuna traité, ainsi quune réduction du poids moyen des foies des animaux recevant des graine de mucuna crues. Lincorporation des graines dans la ration na toutefois pas modifié la qualité de la viande, les valeurs de pH et de capacité de rétention deau ayant été similaires dans les 3 groupes. Les analyses des foies, des reins et des muscles nont pas révélé la présence de L-dopa. Par ailleurs, les performances enregistrées chez des animaux recevant des feuilles et cossettes de manioc ont été significativement plus faibles par rapport à celles observées dans le groupe témoin. Toutefois, aucune différence significative na été observée au niveau du poids des différents morceaux (blancs, ensemble cuisses-pilons, ailes) et du rendement de la carcasse, en fonction du lot. Aussi, la substitution du grain de maïs par les feuilles et les cossettes de manioc a permis de réduire le coût de production de la pintade. Ces ingrédients constituent aussi une opportunité pour réduire la concurrence entre lhomme et la volaille pour la consommation de maïs. En conclusion, cette étude a montré quil est possible dutiliser avec succès certaines ressources non-conventionnelles telles que le mucuna qui constitue une opportunité pour les pays pauvres et qui pourrait contribuer à lamélioration de lautosuffisance alimentaire à partir de ressources locales/This study suggests ways of improvement of local guinea fowl feeding by unconventional resources in Benin. The first part of this work reviews the use of unconventional feed resources, and particularly Mucuna spp. seeds, in poultry diets. This review focuses on the context of their use, their nutritional values as well as the constraints that hamper their upgrading before assessing the effects of various treatments on toxins levels and on chemical composition. The second part of this study concerns the village poultry production systems, when compared to improved poultry production in station. In Benin, as in most of the countries in the South of Sahara, the village poultry production is characterized by an extensive system, in which birds have to scavenge to find most of their feed. They live in cramped houses and dont benefit either from disease prevention programs or from adapted feeding systems. However, farmers provide cereal grains or some unconventional resources. In these conditions, guinea fowl weight at six months was 1121 ± 100 g. In improved rearing, i.e. where animals were bred in houses, received complete diet, were separated by sex and received veterinary care, the mean weights at the same age were 1151±108 g for males versus 1085 ± 74 g for females. In village chickens, birds that received vermifuge treatments were significantly heavier when compared to untreated ones (1221 ± 107 vs 1007 ± 31 g). Growth performances in improved conditions were similar to that obtained with the guinea fowls reared in village, although they received complete diets that were in accordance with guinea fowl requirements. In rural area and in station, the study on reproductive performance indicated the onset of the first laying between 7 and 9 months of age with a mean weight of 1220 ± 97 g. Eggs laying occurred in rainy season, and broods were performed at 95.5 % level by hens, the mean number of eggs brooded by hen being 14 ± 4, with 70% hatching rate for 26 days of incubation duration. The decrease of cumulative survival probability was marked during the first 50 days of live during which a mortality rate of about 50 % was observed. In spite of its economic, nutritional and social importance, guinea fowl productivity in village area in Benin remains weak because of numerous constraints including keet mortality, diseases, predation, climate, housing and low feed supply. The third part of the work studies scavenging guinea fowls crop contents, i.e., ingredients naturally found by the animals on the ground and supplement offered by the farmers. Ingredients found in crops were identified and divided in six main categories including supplemental feed, seeds, green forages, animal materials, minerals and unidentified material. Amounts and proportions of supplemental feed and seeds were not significantly different between seasons, whereas those of green forage, animal materials and mineral matter were higher in rainy season. Supplemental feed, especially maize and sorghum, was the largest component of the crop content in both seasons. The most represented grass seeds were Panicum maximum (rainy season) and Rottboellia cochinchinensis (dry season). Dietary concentrations of organic matter, non-nitrogen extract and metabolisable energy were higher in the dry season, while mineral concentrations were higher in the rainy season. There were no significant differences between the two seasons in dry matter, crude protein or crude fibre. The identification and quantification of various feed ingredients, as well as the determination of chemical composition and nutritive value of ingredients ingested by scavenging guinea fowl allowed highlighting the structural and short-term deficiencies due to seasonal variations of diets quality and availability during the year. Adequate corrections to improve guinea fowl production in village area were so able to be proposed. Mucuna seeds could solve this problem because of its leguminous-type feed value. The fourth study was carried out to evaluate the effects of two basic treatments (cooking and toasting) on anti-nutrients factor contents, chemical composition and digestibility of mucuna seeds. Heat treatments improved proteins content whereas that of crude fibre was reduced. Contents of L-dopa, the main anti-nutritional factor in mucuna seeds, increased according to seed level incorporation. L-dopa content was significantly reduced by 52 % in cooked seeds while toasting had no effect. Heat treatment improved significantly seed nutrients digestibility excepted that of the ether extract. It was concluded that when mucuna seed is adequately treated, it could be used in guinea fowl diet. The fifth study concerned the effects of mucuna seeds and cassava leafs and cossets on guinea fowl growth and meat quality. Crude mucuna seeds had depressive effects on guinea fowl growth and feed intake. Mean carcass and cut-parts weights were significantly lower in control group. However, meat yield was similar between control and cooked seeds groups. The gizzard weights were significantly increased in processed seeds diets groups and liver weight reduction was noticed in birds fed on raw Mucuna seed. Mucuna seed did not alter meat quality as assessed by the pH and water holding capacity measurements. L-Dopa analyses in liver, kidneys and breast muscle did not reveal the presence of any tissue residues. Furthermore, growth performances recorded in birds receiving cassava leaves and cossets were significantly lower when compared to the control group. However, no difference was observed in cut-parts (breasts, thigh-drumsticks, wings) and in carcass yield between groups. So, maize substitution by cassava leaves and cossets allowed reducing feed cost. It can be then suggested that those feeds allow reducing competition for maize consumption between human and poultry. In conclusion, it is possible to successfully use unconventional feed resources such as mucuna seeds which are an opportunity for developing country and could contribute to improve food security with local resources.