Effect of Supplementation of Moringa o/eifera (LAM) Leaf Meal in Layer Chicken Feed
![Thumbnail](/bitstream/handle/11295/77922/Effect%20of%20Supplementation.pdf.jpg?sequence=4&isAllowed=y)
View/ Open
Date
2014Author
Gakuya, D.W.
Mbugua, P. N.
Mwaniki, S. M.
Kiama, S.G.
Muchemi, G.M.
Njuguna, A.
Language
enMetadata
Show full item recordAbstract
Abstract: The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of supplementing Moringa oleifera leaf meal
(MOLM) at different levels in layers feed. Layers mash was formulated using raw materials obtained from
local feed manufacturers and MOLM was included in the various diets at levels of 0% (T1), 1.25% (T2), 2.5.%
(T3), 5% (T4), 7.5% (T5), 10% (T6) Diet 1 (T1) was added Canthacol" at a rate of 1 g/kg of feed while diet 7
(T7) was a commercially prepared feed. Twenty eight thirty week-old ISA Brown layer birds were selected
from a flock and randomly allocated to seven treatment groups with 2 replicates of two birds each and the
diet feeds introduced. Feed intake, weight gain, egg production, egg yolk color, egg weights, egg yolk color
acceptability were determined. Eggs from randomly selected outlets of 4 leading supermarkets had their egg
yolk colour score determined. The increase in MOLM levels had no effect on feed intake, weight gain,
acceptability of boiled eggs by consumers and egg weights (p<0.05). The average egg yolk color score and
the total eggs laid in the various treatments were significantly different (p<0.05) depending on the levels of
MOLM in the diets. However, there was no Significant difference in egg yolk colour score between the eggs
from MOLM diets and those from supermarkets. There is need to investigate further the factors responsible
for the yellow-orange colour of the eggs and the possibility of utilization of MOLM in commercial layers feed
production.
Citation
International Journal of Poultry Science 13 (7): 379-384, 2014Sponsorhip
University of NairobiPublisher
Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Nairobi
Subject
Moringa oleifera leaf meal,layers birds,
feed intake,
egg production,
egg yolk colour,
layers mash