Early nutrition programing - an approach for improving production performance of Indonesian Native Chicken – Kampung Chicken

Indonesia is considered as one the major chicken domestication centers in the world due to distinctive characteristics of chickens in this country compared to those in Asia and other countries in the world. Based on molecular studies, Red Junglefowl (Gallus gallus) is strongly presumed as the ancestor of the of Indonesian native chicken (INC). Through domestication processes, now, there are at least 30 different clumps of INC, which can be grouped into identifiable clumps with specific characteristics (colour, sound, etc, such as Pelung, Kedu, etc), and the non-identifiable clump with no specific characteristic, and usually called Kampung chicken. Kampung chicken clump represent the highest population among local chickens, and most of them are raised under an extensive traditional system. They are having very high genetic variation and diverse physical appearances (body size, colour, sound), and the most of them has not been modified gentically. Compared with exotic commercial breed, both broiler or layer, Kampung chicken has lower in production and reproduction, very slower growth rate and poorer feed efficiency. However, from market point of view, Kampung chicken products have better prices and consumer preferences. This market condition is certainly an opportunity to fill and to develop market of Kampung chicken. Additionally, this condition also motivates the farmers improving Kampung chicken production as their livelihood. As an approach, Early Nutrition Programming (ENP) may be a complementary of various previous efforts carried out to improve the performance of Kampung chicken. The program is a mean to provide specific additional nutrients earlier to the developing embryo in the incubation period (in ovo feeding – IOF program), which then continued after hatching (Post-hatch feeding - PHF program) with neonate nutrition in the perinatal period (a week before to a week after hatching). In the modern broiler industry, the application of ENP has been widely implemented and reported that the program resulted in achieving market weight quicker than before. However, information about application of ENP in Kampung chicken is still scarce. The early nutrition programming (ENP) can be implemented for improving the performance of INC – Kampung chicken with some considerations. From scientific point of view, ENP can be fully conducted.The ENP has much potential to yield several advantages, among them reduced post-hatch mortality and morbidity; greater efficiency of feed nutrient utilization at an early age; improved immune response to enteric antigens, and increasing production performance as a hole. From technical point of view, consideration should be done during embryonal period, particularly for the treatment of IOF (injected solution : diluted nutrient, osmotic pressure, time, site); During perinatal period, earlier acces to external feed will help the new hatched chicken to improve the overall performance of Kampung chicken.