Poultry, Fisheries & Wildlife Sciences
Open Access

Abstract

Biogeochemical Surveys Using Poultry Components from Mangampeta Barite Area, Andhra Pradesh, India

Raghu V

The present work deals with the trace element interactions in excreta, feathers, and eggs of hens of backyard poultry of Mangampeta barite area, Kadapa District, Andhra Pradesh to determine its significance in biogeochemical surveys. For purpose of comparison, excreta, feathers and eggs from the birds of caged system of poultry in Tirupati, Andhra Pradesh are also collected. The excreta and eggs of hens of backyard poultry reflect the composition of their immediate geochemical environment while those of hens of caged system of poultry show their feed composition. Variations in trace element content are observed in poultry components on ash weight and dry weight basis. Organic matter plays an important role in the behavior and distribution of trace elements. The excreta of hens of backyard poultry can be utilized as a tool in biogeochemical orientation surveys as they reflect their surrounding geochemical environment. The biogeochemical investigations of all these biological samples are helpful in the preparation of multi-element atlases for the effective study of environmental geochemistry.