Phytate is a molecule rich in phosphorus (P). However, the P in phytate is of low availability to monogastric animals because they lack the proper enzyme system to hydrolyse phytate. Consequently, there is a high P concentration in the manure from animals fed on diets containing phytate, and this can lead to pollution of the environment. Because phytate can complex with minerals, starch, proteins and digestive enzymes, it also has anti-nutritional properties. Limiting the P output by monogastric animals, by increasing the digestibility (availability) of the P in the diet by hydrolysing phosphate from phytate, was the original reason for developing the microbial phytase, Natuphos®. It has been shown in many studies that P excretion by pigs and poultry can be reduced by 30% by including phytase in their diets. The digestibility of other nutrients bound to phytate can also be increased considerably by hydrolysis of the phytate molecule by phytase. A number of studies have been performed in poultry and pigs to determine the effect on amino acid digestibility of adding microbial phytase to the feed. In general, an increase of 1-3% has been reported. It was shown by meta-analysis that these improvements were significant for most amino acids at a phytase supplementation rate of 500 FTU/kg diet. In piglets and broilers an improvement in performance of 1.5-3.0% was often observed when phytase was included in the diet, even if the diet met the digestible/available P requirement. This improvement in performance cannot be explained by improvements in amino acid digestibility alone. It has been suggested that there is an effect on energy utilisation as well, and this has now been confirmed in studies with poultry. To apply this information in feed compounding, matrix values are proposed for use by the industry in linear programming. Depending on many factors, feed costs can be decreased by up to EUR 3.50 (US$ 3.00)/tonne by the addition of phytase to diets that are not limiting in P. Limiting the total P content in the diet to a lower concentration can increase the economic advantage of adding phytase. Processing of feed, especially pelleting, can reduce the activity of phytase. It is therefore necessary to protect the enzyme and this can be very difficult, especially when it is important that the enzyme should also become rapidly available to the animal. The product Natuphos® 10000 G fulfils these requirements. The broadness of the impact of this enzyme on the nutritional value of feed makes it a really remarkable enzyme.

The quality of the day-old broiler chick is foremost in the minds of many poultry managers. From fertilised ovum to the placement at the broiler farm, some factors such as the characteristics of the incubating eggs, the egg holding conditions, the incubation conditions and the conditions that exist between hatching and placement at the farm and their interactions may affect chick quality. It may be questioned if maximal hatchability is the best indicator for chick quality and/or post-hatching viability, even if optimal hatchability is considered a prerequisite for successful incubation. The environmental conditions during incubation (e.g. the temperature, humidity and ventilation rate (carbon dioxide concentration)) are not set independently from each other, although each may have its own optimum for hatchability and chick quality. These optima for each incubation factor may alter differentially according to the characteristics of the incubating egg. It is concluded that more independent control as well as more control of the variability of the classical physical conditions in the incubator are required in order to improve hatchability and chick quality.

The genetic basis and dominance relationships of the Naked neck gene and its geographical distribution in local populations is described. The effects on growth, feed efficiency, body composition and meat yield of broilers and the effects on egg laying and egg traits, reproduction and liveability in broiler breeding and laying birds are reviewed. On the whole, the results are encouraging for the future use of these genotypes at high ambient temperatures, either for meat or egg production. The results revealed that the autosomal Naked neck (Na) gene reduces feather mass by about 20% in heterozygous (Ndna) and by about 40% in homozygous (Na/Na) birds. The reduction in feather mass improves heat dissipation through the naked area, leading to a relatively higher tolerance to heat and a higher productivity under high ambient temperatures. It is concluded that heterozygous Naked neck broilers gain about 3% more weight than their normally feathered siblings under commercial conditions during the spring and summer months, and that this advantage is almost tripled at a constant high ambient temperature of about 32°C. Thus, the higher the capacity of broilers to gain weight, the more they benefit from the reduction in plumage as a result of the Naked neck gene.

Ostrich skin when tanned forms distinctive and exclusive leather which is much sought after in the fashion industry. Promotion and marketing are focused on its distinctive quill pattern, durability and suppleness. The leather commands a high price by comparison with other livestock leather. The industry in southern Africa is currently export focused with the highest number of tanned skins being exported from South Africa principally to Japan. There are currently many debates on the optimum age for slaughter, skin size being dependent on buyer demand. Skins are subjected to strict grading criteria. Many factors need to be considered to maximise skin yield and quality including adequate nutrition, preventing on-farm scarring and bruising during transport, preventing feather pecking and treating birds for parasitic and arthropod infestations. Stringent conditions during the processing of the skins at the abattoirs and tanneries are crucial in preventing damage and subsequent downgrading. Environmental impacts of tanning are crucial and harmful by- products, including trivalent chromium, must be extracted from the effluent. The establishment of a strategy that ensures improvements in both the local ostrich and skin industry, and in the export market is necessary if southern Africa is to become a global player.

This paper discusses the village chicken upgrading programme in Malawi. It looks at the objectives of the programme, its implementation, the problems faced and how it can be improved. The village chicken upgrading programme started in the early 1950s. Its main aim is to improve egg and meat production from indigenous chickens through crossbreeding using the Black Australorp. The programme is hampered by many problems such as ill defined objectives and implementation strategies, lack of proper poultry husbandry skills, inconsistent and poor supply of birds, lack of cheap feed of reliable quality, prevalence of diseases, poor livestock extension services and lack of easily accessible veterinary services. Potential solutions and recommendations for improving the project are suggested.