The objectives of the present study were to estimate the nutritional status of scavenging chickens by crop content analysis and to evaluate some locally available feed ingredients under different management regimes for their potential for confined and semi-scavenging growing pullets and laying hens. The first study showed that the physical composition of the crop contents varied between the two locations and two breeds studied, and the proportions also varied according to seasonal agricultural activities. The chemical composition showed a higher metabolizable energy content in the rainy season and the crude protein content (CP 90 %), indicating that these by-products are potentially useful protein supplements. However, more studies should be done, particularly with shea-nut cake, on the improvement of palatability, the optimum level of inclusion in the diets, and the nutritional availability for chickens, of these processed feedstuffs
