Effect of ascorbic acid supplementation to the diets of indigenous Venda hens on productivi1y of their progenies aged 8 to 13 weeks

An experiment was conducted to determine the effect of ascorbic acid supplementation level to the diets of indigenous Venda hens on egg production, hatchability and subsequent productivity of the chicks. The first part of the study determined the effect of ascorbic acid supplementation level to the diets of Venda hens on feed intake, egg production, egg weight, hatchability and chick hatchweight. A complete randomized design was used. The second part of the study determined the effect of ascorbic acid supplementation level to the diets of Venda hens on performance of the chicks between 8 and 13 weeks of age. A total of 150 male and female chickens that hatched from the first part of the study were used according to the treatments and replicates from which they hatched. A 2 (males and females) X 5 (dietary ascorbic acid levels for the hens) factorial arrangement in a complete randomized design was used. Ascorbic acid requirements of indigenous Venda hens for optimal productivity were variable and depended on the production parameter in question. These results have a lot of implication on ration formation for indigenous Venda hens.