Abstract
The objective of the study was to determine how the partial supplementation of Moringa oleifera whole seed meal (MOWSM) would affect layer performance, egg quality and egg fatty acid profile. One hundred and forty-four Hy-Line hens in early-lay (20-weeks-old), with an average body weight of 1.45 kg were randomly allocated to four dietary treatments which were formulated to meet or exceed the National Research Council standards for brown-egg laying hens. Dietary treatments consisted of 0 (control), 1, 3, and 5% MOWSM. Layer performance was monitored over a period of 8 weeks. The inclusion of MOWSM in layer diets reduced feed intake, bodyweight, the rate of lay, egg weight, and egg mass. Yolk colour was significantly improved by 1, 3 and 5% inclusion levels, while the albumen height decreased. The albumen weight, yolk weight, eggshell weight, eggshell thickness, and egg shape index showed no statistical differences across all treatment groups. Similarly, the saturated fatty acid profile was also not affected. Palmitoleic acid decreased with the increase in MOWSM inclusion, whilst linolelaidic acid increased. The atherogenicity index was not affected by MOWSM inclusion, while the thrombogenicity index increased when compared to the control diet. It was concluded that, although MOWSM inclusion improved yolk colour, maintained external egg quality, and improved the fatty acid profile, the deleterious effect that it had on layer performance indicated that it may not be fed to early-lay hens at these respective levels. Keywords: Alternative protein, egg production, laying hens, oil seeds
Highlights
Feed accounts for 60 - 70% of the total cost in commercial poultry production (Sayda et al, 2011)
These results are in line with those observed by Talha & Ahmed (2012) who concluded that an increase in Moringa oleifera whole seed meal (MOWSM) led to a depression in Feed intake (FI) and BW of laying hens
In a study conducted by Ahmed and Abdelati (2009), it was observed that the inclusion of Leucaena leucaephala seed (LLS) in layer diets had a negative effect on FI
Summary
Feed accounts for 60 - 70% of the total cost in commercial poultry production (Sayda et al, 2011). In the quest to reduce feeding costs and improve profit margins, the use of non-conventional CP sources to supplement soybean meal in layer diets partially or completely is gaining research and industry interest (Moreki & Gabanakgosi, 2014). The non-conventional CP source that will be identified to supplement soybean meal in layer diets must contain adequate FAs that can contribute positively to egg quality and consumer health. Among other non-conventional CP sources, Moringa oleifera whole seed meal (MOWSM) has been reported to have the potential to be used in monogastric diets (Moreki & Gabanakgosi, 2014; Ayasan, 2015, Ahmed et al, 2017). MOWSM contains an exceptional index of nutrients, the presence of anti-nutrient factors (ANF), such as tannins (2.13 mg/kg), saponins (2.25 mg/kg), phytate (41 g/kg) and high crude fibre (22.93 - 38%), may be a limiting factor in the utilisation of these seeds
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