Abstract
8 weeks feeding trial was undertaken to evaluate soybean cheese residue (SCR) with 29 weeks old layers. SCR was incorporated at 0, 5, 10, 15 and 20 % in diets T1, T2, T3, T4, and T5 respectively. Ninety (90) twenty-nine week old birds were used for the experiment. The birds were allocated to the five diets in a Completely Randomized Design (CRD). Each treatment had eighteen (18) birds such that each replicate had six (6) birds. There were no observed significant differences (p>0.05) in final weight and weight gain. Hen day production, daily feed intake, feed conversion ratio, feed cost/kg, feed cost/egg crate and profit indicated significant differences (p>0.05). HDP ranged from 39.73 % to 49.64 %. Feed intake was 101.25 g to 117.20 g. Feed conversion ratio showed value range of 3.83 to 4.19. Feed cost/kg had a value range of N90.00 to N170.00. Feed cost/egg crate showed value range of N702.89 to N834.28. Value for profit ranged from N74.43 to N447.26. Supplementation of SCR influenced the performance and profitability of the layers. Egg quality characteristics were measured at intervals and average computed for each diet. Egg weight, egg length and egg width were significantly affected (P<0.05) in favour of SCR diets. But shell weight and shell thickness were similar for all the diets. Egg content weight and yolk weight were significantly (P<0.05) affected, while albumen height, yolk diameter, yolk height and Haugh unit were similar. The values observed for egg weight, egg length, egg width, egg shell weight, shell thickness 53.47-54.88g, 3.65-3.87 cm, 2.68-2.71 cm, 7.43-7.61 g and 0.54-0.59 mm respectively. Egg content weight, albumen Height, yolk diameter, yolk weight and Haugh unit ranged from 45.87 49.09 g, 5.21-5.81cm, 2.49-2.81 cm, 1.27-1.31 cm, 13.78-18.10 g and 73.86-78.10 respectively. The addition of SCR increased profit because it reduced cost of production besides promoting better productivity. Furthermore, SCR inclusion in the diet of layers did not affect egg quality adversely. The inclusion of SCR in layer diet is recommended even up to 20%.
Highlights
As the world population increases every year, so is the animal protein intake deficit in the developing country such as Nigeria
Oyewole et al [3] asserted that feed cost is one of the variables which contribute to high cost of poultry, despite its potential to bridge the demand and supply gap [4] in animal protein for the populace
Value range of 39.73 % to 49.64 % was obtained for hen day production
Summary
As the world population increases every year, so is the animal protein intake deficit in the developing country such as Nigeria. According to Iyagbe and Orewa [1], the average Nigerian consumes 6-8 g per day of animal protein as against the Food and Agriculture Organization recommendation of 35 g This short fall can partly be attributed to the high cost of animal products, which is the consequence of high cost production of farm animals. Oyewole et al [3] asserted that feed cost is one of the variables which contribute to high cost of poultry, despite its potential to bridge the demand and supply gap [4] in animal protein for the populace This pitiable scenario has further been compounded by insecurity that has affected crop farming activities, besides erratic weather conditions, humanlivestock competition for grains and declining purchasing power of many citizens of Nigeria
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