Egg production and egg quality laying hens fed raw or processed sorrel (Hibiscus sabdariffa) seed meal

Abstract

A study was conducted to evaluate the performance of caged laying hens fed raw, soaked, boiled, sprouted and fermented sorrel seed meal in a semi-arid environment. Six isonitrogenous diets (17% crude protein) were formulated. Diet 1 was based on soyabean meal which was replaced at 50% by processed sorrel seed meal in the other diets. A total of one hundred and eighty (180) Black Harco pullets aged 22 weeks were randomly assigned to the diets with 30 birds per diet each containing 3 replicates of 10 birds. Data were collected on feed consumption, egg production and shell quality. Results showed no dietary effects on feed utilization, egg production, egg weight and shell quality. The cost of feed was reduced with the inclusion of sorrel seed meal in the diet resulting to a lower cost of egg production on these diets compared to the control. No mortality was recorded during the period of the experiment. It was concluded that up to 50% of dietary soyabean meal can be replaced with sorrel seed meal raw or processed without adverse effects on the performance of laying hens. The replacement will reduce the cost of the feed and thus the cost of egg production.