Duckweed, A Useful Strategy for Feeding Chickens: Performance of Layers Fed with Sewage-Grown Lemnacea Species

Abstract

Layer performance and egg quality were assessed in hens fed sewage-grown Lemna species (duckweed) in order to examine the safety and efficacy of this plant as a feedstuff for poultry. Dried Lemna gibba was included in the diets of two commercial strains of laying hens at 0, 15, 25, and 40% inclusion. Egg production and egg weights were compared with those of hens fed a standard isocaloric and isonitrogenous control diet At all levels of Lemna, hens maintained egg production and had mean egg weights similar to layers fed a control diet. Eggs from Leghorn hens fed 15 and 25% Lemna had higher protein content than control eggs. Also, the addition of Lemna to the diets significantly increased yolk pigmentation, an important commercial value for this plant. Lemna species may be a useful substitute for soybean and some fish meal in layer hen diets, especially in countries where some of these commodities are imported.