Abstract
The study was undertaken to investigate the utilization of cowpea leaves in Vanaraja laying hens. Vanaraja laying hens (N=36, 25 weeks old) were randomly distributed into 3 equal groups (duplicated into 3 groups of 3 laying hens each) and kept in wire mesh floored cages and offered standard layer ration @ 125 g/hen/(T1, Control), standard layer ration @ 75 g/hen/d and cowpea leaves on fresh basis @ 75 g/hen/d (T2, 40% of basal diet replaced by fresh cowpea leaves) and standard layer ration @ 62.5 g/hen/d with cowpea leaves @ 125 g/hen/d (T3, 50% of basal diet replaced by fresh cowpea leaves) for a period of 8 weeks. There was reduction (P<0.05) in egg production (dozen or kg) in group fed 125 g cowpea leaves/hen/d. However, laying hens fed 75 g of fresh cowpea leaves/hen/d produced eggs (in dozen) similar to that of control group. Feed intake was reduced (P<0.05)due to feeding of cowpea leaves. Feed efficiency (feed intake in kg/dozen egg or feed intake in kg/kg egg mass) was improved (P<0.05) in group T2 fed fresh cowpea leaves @ 75 g/hen/d. Feed cost to produce dozen egg was lower (P<0.05) for both the experimental groups fed cowpea leaves. Hence, cowpea leaves could be fed @ 75 g/hen/d on fresh basis to Vanaraja laying hens for more income generation due to significant reduction in feed cost without affecting their performance.
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