LAUSR

BACKGROUND The world population is increasing, leading to competition between humans and animals for the use of farm produce. The use of non-conventional resources in poultry feed is increasingly being explored. Cassava (Manihot esculenta) have been studied in layers and broilers feed. However, there is very little information on the impact of the leaves on breeder hens. OBJECTIVES This study was conducted to determine the effect of M. esculenta leaf meal (MELM) on breeder hen performance, hatching egg quality and blood parameters. METHODS A total of 180 hens and 24 cocks Sasso breeders at 32 weeks of age were used and equally assigned into two dietary treatments having six replicates of 15 hens and two cocks each. The dietary treatments were basal diet supplemented with 0% MELM and basal diet supplemented with the MELM group (5% MELM). Data were collected on feed intake, egg production, feed conversion ratio as well as egg quality indices during the experiment. The blood samples were collected from 18 birds per treatment (three3 per replication) for the determination of total protein, uric acid, triglycerides and total cholesterol at 45th week of age. RESULTS The results showed that there was no significant difference on the feed intake of the birds across the treatments. Average egg weight and egg production were higher with a lower (p < 0.05) feed conversion rate in the MELM group hens. Total protein, uric acids, total cholesterol and triglyceride level increased significantly (p < 0.05) in hens fed 5 % of MELM. The proportions of yolk, egg shell and Haugh unit showed no significant difference between the treatments, while the proportion of albumen and yolk colour increased significantly (p < 0.05) in the MELM group hens. CONCLUSIONS It was concluded that 5% MELM can be used as feed ingredients in formulating breeder hen diets to improve productive performance.