Authors : T.O. Akande , M.K. Adeyeri and O.G. Longe
Abstract: The performance, egg qualities, costs and dry matter turn-over of Tephrosia bracteolata leaf meal (TLM) were investigated in diets of egg type chickens. The experiment involved 40, 25 weeks old Nera black layers in a 70 day feeding trial. There were 4 dietary treatments. Diets 1 was the control with 0% TLM while diets 2, 3 and 4 contained 2.5, 5.0 and 7.5% levels of TLM, respectively and were arranged in one way analysis of variance in a completely randomized design. Feed intake decline with progressive inclusion of TLM and significantly depressed (p<0.05) at 7.5% inclusion of TLM. However, egg production, egg weight, body weight gain and feed conversion ratios were not significantly different (p>0.05) across the treatments. Similarly, egg quality parameters including shell thickness, albumen and yolk weight were not affected (p>0.05) except for the yolk colour that greatly intensified (p<0.01) with progressive inclusion of the leaf meal. While, dry matter turn-over of TLM was about 30% on as fed basis, egg output and revenue generated showed that control, 2.5 and 5.0% TLM dietary treatments were comparable and that control was significantly better than the 7.5% TLM treatment. It is suggested that TLM may be safely included up to 5.0% in layers� diet in situation of shortage and or high cost of grains and protein ingredients with impressive yolk colouration. Improvement in the utilization of the leaf meal portends better economic returns.
T.O. Akande , M.K. Adeyeri and O.G. Longe , 2008. Nutritional and Economic Value of Leaf Meal (Tephrosia bracteolata) in Diet of Laying Hens. Journal of Animal and Veterinary Advances, 7: 784-788.