Effects of Moringa Oleifera Leaf Flour on Laying Hens
Author Information
Author(s): da Silva Junior Rogério Ventura, Rabello Carlos Bôa-Viagem, Ludke Maria do Carmo Mohaupt Marques, Lopes Cláudia da Costa, de Medeiros Ventura Waleska Rocha Leite, Soares Elayne de Souza Rocha, Guedes Paiva Patricia Maria, Napoleão Thiago Henrique, Ribeiro Apolonio Gomes, Nascimento Júlio Cézar dos Santos, de Souza Lilian Francisco Arantes, Oliveira Helia Sharlane de Holanda
Primary Institution: Universidade Federal Rural de Pernambuco
Hypothesis
The study aims to evaluate the performance of commercial laying hens fed with different levels of Moringa oleifera leaf meal in their diet.
Conclusion
Moringa oleifera leaves can be used to feed commercial laying birds with up to 6% inclusion without causing harm to productive performance and egg quality, in addition to intensifying the color of the yolks.
Supporting Evidence
- The addition of moringa to the birds’ diet did not influence performance parameters.
- Significant increases in average egg weight were observed with moringa inclusion levels of 1.5%, 4.5%, and 6%.
- The color of the egg yolks significantly increased for all levels tested (1.5 to 6%).
- A reduction in Haugh unit values was observed at moringa inclusion levels of 4.5% and 6%, but they remained within classification standards.
Takeaway
This study found that adding Moringa leaves to chicken feed can help make the eggs bigger and the yolks more colorful without hurting the chickens.
Methodology
The study used a completely randomized design with five treatments and five replications of six birds each, evaluating various performance and egg quality parameters over 122 days.
Limitations
The study did not explore the long-term effects of Moringa inclusion beyond the experimental period.
Participant Demographics
150 laying hens of the Dekalb White lineage, aged 62 weeks.
Statistical Information
P-Value
p<0.05
Statistical Significance
p<0.05
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)
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