EVALUATION OF LAYING PERFORMANCE AND EGG STORABILITY OF LAYING HENS FED MORINGA AND FLUTED PUMPKIN LEAF MEAL SUPPLEMENTED DIETS

Abstract

The study aimed at evaluating the performance and egg storability of laying hens fed moringa and fluted pumpkin leaf meal supplemented diets. The leaves were air dried and meal before inclusion in the experimental diets. Seven experimental diets were formulated with fluted pumpkin leaf meal (FPLM), moringa leaf meal (MOLM) and their mixture in a ratio of 1:1 at the inclusion level of 1% and 2%, respectively and a control. The diets were fed to 34-week old laying hens arranged in a 2x3 factorial arrangement.A total of four eggs were taken from each replicate to measure the storability and egg quality parameters. The results showed that daily feed intake was significantly (P<0.05) higher in 2% FPLM based-diet (125.17g). The percentage hen day production (though not significant) was higher in 2% FPLM based-diet and 2% mix based-diet. The feed conversion ratio was better in 2% FPLM (2.94), 1% MOLM (2.97) and the mix based-diets. The percentage weight loss of the egg decreased as the inclusion level of the test supplements increased. Average shell weight was higher in the mix based-diets. The yolk colour was significantly (P<0.05) higher in the treatment diets compared to the control.It was concluded that inclusion of FPLM and MOLM significantly improved egg yolk colour. Hen day production and feed consumption were positively influenced by inclusion of fluted pumpkin and moringa leaf meals particularly at 2%.