Poultry farming in Nigeria is a significant agricultural activity. Maintaining good hygiene in poultry environment, providing balanced nutrient, regular health check-ups and implementing biosecurity measures can contribute to improved poultry health, poultry quality and pigmentation through incorporation of orange corn to poultry feeds and production.
By Heman Gabriel
Key aspects for providing a source of income and protein. Commonly raised birds include chickens for meat (broilers) and eggs (layers), farmers face challenges such as disease management, market fluctuations, access to quality feed, general poultry health and quality output. Government initiatives and improved practices aim to enhance productivity and sustainability in the industry and boost food production and economic livelihoods.
In a research, NutraMaize CEO Evan Rocheford said previous studies shows NutraMaize Orange Corn improves outcomes in poultry health and egg yolk pigmentation. The results were published in the May 2021 and July 2021 issues of the peer-reviewed journal Poultry Science. “Our previous research shows that when used in poultry feed, NutraMaize Orange Corn has the potential to improve animal welfare, consumer well-being and producer profitability,” Rocheford said. “We’ve shown that it can reduce the incidence and severity of footpad dermatitis, a common health problem for poultry, and significantly enhance the depth of color and health-benefiting antioxidant carotenoid content in egg yolks.”
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The goal of the Phase II project, titled “Nutritionally Enhanced Orange Corn: A Natural Domestic Source of Antioxidant Carotenoids for Improved Poultry and Consumer Well-Being,” is to demonstrate that the corn can deliver the health benefits of carotenoids to poultry and consumers on a commercial scale.
Carotenoids in orange corn
Carotenoids are natural antioxidant pigments that give many fruits and vegetables, such as carrots. Their orange color and health-benefiting reputations, carotenoids are pigments found in plants, algae and photosynthetic bacteria they contribute to the red, orange and yellow colours in various fruits and vegetables. Additionally, carotenoids have antioxidant properties and are precursors to Vitamin A, essential for vision and immune function in the human body when consumed through fruits and vegetables. Examples of carotenoids are Beta carotene, Lutein and Lycopene.
To improve birds health, the carotenoids found in Orange Corn have a number of well-documented health benefits for humans, such as significantly reducing the risk of age-related macular degeneration, the leading cause of vision loss among older individuals, This means that it has the potential to improve animal welfare and reduce disease-related losses for producers while simultaneously improving consumer well-being by enhancing the nutritional quality of one of Nigeria’s most important protein sources eggs.
Orange corn
Orange corn is a type of corn that has a vibrant orange color due to higher levels of beta-carotene. It is nutritionally rich and can be used in various culinary applications. Beta-carotene is a pigment that gives certain fruits and vegetables their characteristic orange color. It is a precursor to vitamin A and is converted into this essential vitamin in the body. Food rich in beta-carotene like carrots and sweet potatoes contribute to overall health and vision.
Adding orange corn in poultry feed can enhance the nutritional content for the birds. The elevated beta-carotene in the orange corn can contribute to the improved egg yolk colour and overall poultry health. It is a way to provide additional nutrients to animals in a natural and beneficial form.
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Benefits of orange corn to poultry industries in Nigeria
In Nigeria, incorporating orange corn into poultry feed can bring several benefits to the poultry industry like:
Improved Nutrition: Orange corns higher beta-carotene content enhances the nutritional profile of poultry feed, contributing to better overall health for the birds.
Enhanced Egg Quality: The beta-carotene in the orange corn can lead to richer yolk color in eggs, which is often preferred by consumers. This can enhance market appeal and potentially increase sales.
Addressing Micronutrient Deficiencies: In regions where vitamin A deficiency is a concern, orange corn can help address this issue, benefiting both poultry health and potentially improving the nutritional content of poultry products for consumers
Economically Relevant Health Benefits: It can produce a number of economically relevant health benefits for both broilers and egg layers throughout their production cycles
Enhance Nutrition and Vison: It can enhance the nutritional, visual and functional properties of both poultry meat and eggs
Cheap Cost: It can meet the needs of the poultry industry by being produced efficiently and affordably
Economic Advantages: Increased demand for poultry products with enhanced nutritional qualities could provide economic advantages for poultry farmers as consumers may be willing to pay a premium for healthier and more nutritious products.
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Promoting Sustainable Agriculture: By diversifying feed sources and incorporating locally grown crops like orange corn, the poultry industry can contribute to sustainable agricultural practices and reduce dependance on imported feed ingredients.
Community Development: Supporting the cultivation and use of orange corn in poultry feed can have positive effects on local agriculture, creating opportunities for farmers and fostering community development.
Overall, the integration of orange corn into poultry feed in Nigeria has the potential to improve both poultry health and the economic sustainability of the poultry industry.
Conclusion
In conclusion, orange corn has the opportunity to reduce feed costs, reduce losses associated with disease and deliver a darkly colored egg yolk with enhanced levels of health-benefiting carotenoids. It’s really a win-win-win for the producer, animal, consumer, feed mill, grain handler, farmer and seed company.
