Open AccessINFLUENCE OF DIETARY WILD SUNFLOWER (Tithonia diversifolia Hemsl. A Gray) LEAF MEAL ON LAYERS PERFORMANCE AND EGG QUALITY
Author(s) -
A. A. Odunsi,
G. O. Farinu,
J. O. Akinola
Publication year - 2021
Publication title -
nigerian journal of animal production
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
ISSN - 0331-2062
DOI - 10.51791/njap.v23i1.2046
Subject(s) - feed conversion ratio , meal , yolk , tithonia , biology , zoology , dozen , haugh unit , sunflower , body weight , botany , food science , horticulture , mathematics , arithmetic , endocrinology
The performance of layers on various dietary levels of Wild Sunflower leaf meal (SLM) was investigated. Seventy-two Nera Black with commercial layers in their fourth month of lay of were randomised into six dietary treatments comprising a commercial layer mash (CLM) 05, 10, 15 and 20% SLM. Results revealed that egg production was appreciably supported even for layers on 15 and 20% SLM diets. Feed consumption ranged from 96.27 gms in layers fed 20% SLM to 106.86 gm for birds on CLM. Feed conversion efficiency in terms of kg feed South-western Nigeria up to the Middle Belt per dozen eggs was highest for 15% SLM while CLM had the highest cost of feed consumed per dozen eggs. All diets supported a net positive There is scanty report on the feeding value body weight gain on the birds. Haugh unit, yolk index, shell thickness and egg weight were not significantly influenced (P>0.05) by dietary treatments. Yolk colour was significantly (P<0.05) enhanced by SLM (at all levels) over rabbits. These preliminary findings suggest either the control or CLM. There was no mortality throughout the 12 weeks experiment lasted.