Effect of various levels of Moringa Leaf Meal on the Egg Quality of Isa Brown Breed of Layers

Abstract

The effect of various levels of Moringa oleifera leaf meal on the laying performance and egg quality of Isa brown pullets was investigated using one hundred and twenty Isa Brown pullets randomly assigned to four dietary treatments (0%, 2.5%, 5.0% and 7.5%) with 30 birds per treatment and three replicates of 10 birds per replicate in a 3 x 4 CRD design were used for the experiment which lasted for 8 weeks. The result showed that birds on T₂ performed significantly (P<0.05) better in terms of egg production and egg quality. . Numerical values are 159 + 1.52egg/wk, 66.25 + 7.69g, 5.58 + 0.24cm, 8. 63 + 1.01g and 76.62 respectively for mean weekly egg collection, egg weight, egg length, shell weight and egg surface for birds on T₂, while the respective values are  131 + 1.34egg/wk, 60.48 + 8.05g, 5.39 + 0.18cm, 8.67 + 1.39g and  72.11 for those on T₃ and 133 + 1.54 egg/wk, 58.33 + 7.61g, 5.41 + 0.26cm, 8.17 + 0.92g and 70.23 for those on T₄. Egg width, shell thickness and egg shape index did not show any significant difference (P > 0.05). The result of the internal characteristics of the birds followed a similar trend with birds on T₂ having significantly (P < 0.05) better indices of internal egg quality. The respective values are 23.13 + 3.55g, 1.5cm, 32.71 + 3.29g, 34.89 for yolk weight, yolk height, albumen weight and yolk ratio for birds on T₂, while those on T₃ and T₄ had 19.90 + 2.77g, 1.4cm, 29.62 + 3.94g 32.9 and 15.58 + 1.89g, 1.4cm, 29.71 + 3.4 and 27.22 for the parameters indicated. Inclusion of Moringa leaf meal at lower levels is therefore recommended.

Keywords : Moringa oleifera, laying performance, Isa Brown Layers