Effect of Alfalfa Saponin on Laying Chickens

Abstract

COONEY, Butts, and Bacon (1948) found that dehydrated alfalfa meal had a depressing effect on the growth, diet consumption, and diet utilization of chicks. Lepkovsky et al. (1950) reported that dehydrated alfalfa meal contains a naturally occurring substance (or substances) that depresses the growth of chicks, and that its fiber is not the offending substance.The experiments of Heywang (1950) indicate that both dehydrated and suncured alfalfa meals may contain a factor (or factors) that retard not only the growth of chicks but also the egg production of layers. He also observed that alfalfa meals may vary considerably in their retarding effects, and thus in the amount of responsible factor.According to Peterson (1950) the growth inhibiting effect of Quillaja saponin is similar to that of dehydrated alfalfa meal. Consequently, his results indicate that the growth inhibiting effect of alfalfa might be due to saponin.Heywang and Bird (1953) fed …