Response of laying chickens to graded levels of Tephrosia bracteolata leaf meal fed with soyabean meal or full fat soyabean meal

T O Akande, M K Adeyeri*, O G Longe** and A A Odunsi

Department of Animal Production and Health, Ladoke Akintola University of Technology, P.M.B. 4000, Ogbomoso
*Commercial poultry unit, ZARTECH farm Nigeria. Ltd, Ibadan
**Department of Animal Science University of Ibadan, Ibadan
yakandetaiwo@yahoo.com

Abstract

The response of laying chickens fed graded levels of Tephrosia bracteolataleaf meal (TLM) with soya bean meal (SBM) and full fat soya bean meal (FFSM) was evaluated. The experiment involved a 10-week feeding trial with sixty, 25 weeks old Nera black layers arranged in a 2X3 factorial design. There were six dietary treatments: diets 1, 2, 3 and 4, 5, 6 containing the graded levels 2.5%, 5.0%, 7.5% of TLM with SBM or FFSM respectively as the main source of dietary protein. All diets were formulated to be iso- nitrogenous.

Generally, feed intake declined with progressive inclusion of the leaf meal in both SBM and FFSM dietary treatments. Feed intake of birds on treatment T₃ (7.5%, SBM diet) was significantly lowered (P<0.05) than 2.5 and 5.0 % levels of inclusion of TLM. This was not so with hens on FFSM dietary treatments as the three treatments T₄, T₅ and T₆ were comparable (P> 0.05). However, the overall feed intake of hens on SBM diets was not significantly different (P>0.05) from total feed intake of bird on FFSM diets. Roche yolk colour intensified (P<0.01) with progressive inclusion of the leaf meal. The intensity of colouration was higher (P<0.05) in full fat soya than in SBM. Better calcium and phosphorous retention (P<0.05) were observed with FFSM than SBM treatments. Even though, digestibility of dry matter showed that SBM diets was better utilized at lower inclusion of TLM than their FFSM counterparts, hen- day production, egg weight, nutrient retention and feed efficiency were not really affected (P>0.05) across the treatments. There was slight change in body weight gain of layers on FFSM diets. FFSM diets seemed to enhance calcium and phosphorous metabolism, which was translated in an improved egg quality and body weight gain.

It can be deduced that FFSM in the meal improved the utilization of TLM up to 7.5% levels in diet of laying hens. In situations of shortage and or high cost of grains and protein ingredients, TLM will not only serve as a cheaper and abundant non-conventional ingredient but also a good pigmenting and mineral boosting agent when fed with FFSM.

Key words: egg qualities, nutrient utilization, performance characteristics, protein source, Tephrosia leaf meal

Introduction

Livestock industry in the tropics is characterized by many nutritional problems. Increasing competition between man and animals for available grains, inadequate supply of feedstuffs, poor quality feeds among others have been a perennial problem in livestock production. The shortage of feed particularly energy and protein feed has been reported to be more severe in non-ruminant production that depends to a great extent on compounded feed (Longe and Fagbenro-Byron 1989). The use of local, cheap, and readily available material, particularly those that are not directly utilized by man has received particular attention as the only viable alternatives to the use of conventional feedstuffs (Nwakpu et al 2000, Ekenyem 2002, Odunsi 2003).

In the list of possible feed alternatives is plant foliage, which has found application in poultry nutrition. Among tested leaf meals in poultry nutrition are Leucaena leucocephala, cassava leaf meal, Lablab purpureus, Tithonia diversifolia, Microdesmispuberula, Ipomoea asarifolia among many others. (Lopez et al 1978, Lopez 1986,Odunsi 2003, Odunsi et al 1996,  Esonu et al 2003, Ekenyem and Madubuike 2006). However, the incorporation of substantial amount of foliage to the feed of monogastrics particularly poultry has largely not been promoted in the context of protein supply. This phenomenon is sequel to the low nutrient concentration of the leaf meal particularly its high fibre, low energy and presence of toxic factors (Lopez 1989). It then becomes imperative to develop ways of improving the utilization of these numerous potential feed resources.

Literatures had indicated that soyabean meal serves as the world standard in regard to protein meals for livestock production (Kohlmeir 1990, Leeson and Summers 1997). It is palatable, nutrient dense, highly digestible, and cost effective. Similarly, Full fat soya bean meal was said to possess the same features but in addition, it is an excellent source of energy and fatty acids (Kohlmeir 1990). Properly processed full fat soya bean meal may represent valuable material in diets used within the modern poultry industry because it may make a significant contribution to overall dietary energy level when incorporated with low quality ingredients in the diet of poultry. Tephrosia plant leaf is one among potential plant leaves in poultry nutrition. Information available on Tephrosia plant revealed that there are over 300 species in Africa (Dutta 1979). Its crude protein ranges from 20-26% that is comparable to 25% in Gliricidia and 25.3% in Leucaena (Ayoade et al 1988, Babayemi et al 2002). Without fortification in the diets, its mineral content was reported to be high enough to meet the requirement for ruminant animals (Babayemi et al 1999). This study was set to examine the response of laying birds fed graded levels of Tephrosia leaf meal with soyabean meal or full fat soya bean meal as major source of protein in the diets in terms of performance, egg qualities and nutrient utilization.
 

Materials and methods

Site of study

The experiment was carried out at the Teaching and Research Farm, University of Ibadan, Ibadan located in forest ecological zone of Nigeria.

Feed preparation

Feedstuffs including soyabean meal and full fat soya meal were obtained commercially while the leaf meal was obtained from Tephrosia bracteolata plant. Fresh and blooming leaves were harvested green from the plant. They were spread on clean concrete floor for sun drying for three days until it became crispy. The dried leaves were grounded in a hammer mill with sieve size 2mm to produce the leaf meal. The leaf meal was then incorporated at different levels in the diets (Table 1).

Dietary treatment

There were six dietary treatments containing three levels of Tephrosia leaf meal 2.5, 5.0, 7.5%, and two major sources of protein soyabean meal or full fat soya bean meal, arranged in 2 x 3 factorial design (Table 1). All diets were iso-nitrogenous formulated to supply about 17.4% crude protein.

Birds and management

Sixty, 25-weeks old Nera black layers were randomly allotted to the six groups of 10 birds each. The six groups were allocated to the six dietary treatments. There were 5 replicates of 2 birds per replicate in each treatment. Experimental diets were introduced to the birds and allowed a 7-day adjustment period before data collection commenced. Record for egg quality parameters commenced at 5th week of the experiment and lasted 5 weeks. Feed and water were given ad-libitum while other management practices were meticulously observed.

Analytical procedures

Sample of the leaf meal was subjected to proximate analysis to determine the nutrient levels of the meal using standard methods (AOAC 1995). The Mineral elements calcium was read at 422nm by the use of an atomic absorption spectrometer while phosphorous concentration was estimated by vanado molybdate method. The result of chemical analysis of Tephrosia leaf meal was a guide for the formulation of experimental diets. Yolk colour was assessed with Hoffman-la-Roche yolk colour fan rated 1-15 with colour intensity ranging from pale yellow to deep orange.

Statistical analysis

The layout of the experiment was a 2x3 factorial arrangement. All data obtained were subjected to two-way analysis of variance in a completely randomized design using SPSS (1999). Significant means were separated, using least significant differences modified by Fisher R A as outlined by Wahua (1999).
 

Results

Chemical composition of Tephrosia leaf meal is shown in Table 2. 

Table 3 shows the performance and egg quality characteristics of the experimental birds on various dietary treatments.

The mean values of the single effect of SBM and FFSM on performance and egg quality characteristics of the experimental birds are as shown in Table 4.

Feed intake declined progressively as levels of TLM increased. At 7.5% TLM, feed intake was significantly (P <0.05) depressed in SBM diets. This was not so with FFSM diets, as all the three treatments are comparable. The mean values of feed consumption of SBM and FFSM treatments were similar

Hen-day production, feed efficiency, albumen, and yolk weight were not significantly affected (P>0.05) across the treatments. FFSM dietary treatments numerically improve over their SBM counterparts in terms of body weight change, egg weight and shell thickness. Yolk colour intensified (P<0.01) as levels of TLM increased across the treatments. The intensity of yolk colour was notably higher (P < 0.01) in FFSM than SBM (Table 4).

Nutrient retention of various dietary treatments is shown in Table 5.

The mean values of single effect of SBM and FFSM is shown in Table 6.

Dry matter digestibility (DDM) was significantly different (P < 0.05) among treatment means. Digestibility was higher in SBM treatment at lower rate of TLM inclusion. However, the mean values of dry matter digestibility were similar for both SBM and FFSM because DDM appear better in FFSM at high level of TLM. Calcium and phosphorous retention was better (P<0.05) in FFSM than SBM treatments whereas retention of crude protein, crude fibre, ether extract, and nitrogen free extract were not significantly affected across the treatments.
 

Discussion

Higher levels of leaf meal will cause a dilution of energetic component of the diet because of its bulkiness. This was expected to increase feed intake of the experimental birds in an attempt to meet their energy requirement for maintenance and egg production (Ojewola and Longe  2000). However, results showed decreased in feed intake with higher inclusion levels of TLM. The low feed intake of diets may be as a result of the unpalatable taste of the feed imparted by the leaf meal. This work is line with findings of Lopez (1989) and Odunsi (2003) who reported reduced feed intake as inclusion levels of leaf meal increased. At 7.5% TLM, feed intake was significantly depressed in SBM treatments. This was not so with FFSM, feed intake were comparable meaning that oil in FFSM might have masked the effect of unpalatability and or toxicity as the case may be. It was obvious, that the presence of fat in FFSM has the potential of enhancing the consumption of Tephrosia - formulated diets particularly at higher rate of inclusion. Generally, decline in feed consumption with increased levels of TLM may be related to both physical characteristics (texture, dustiness and bulk density) and presence of compounds, which may affect taste and appetite (Lopez 1989). The inclusion of TLM at various levels did not have any deleterious effect on body and egg forming tissue as reflected on comparable hen day production, egg weight, yolk and albumen weight. This result agrees with the findings of Paterson et al (2001) and Odunsi (2003) who fed Culliandra calothyrsus and Lablab purpureus leaf meals respectively to laying hens. There was no notable meat or blood spot in the eggs of experimental birds across the treatments. Feed efficiency did not reveal any difference among the treatments meaning that the use of SBM or FFS could equally support egg production.

Critical examination of nutrient digestibility revealed that dry matter of FFSM based diets was better utilized at higher inclusion, 7.5% of TLM compared to SBM. The experimental birds equally utilized crude protein, crude fibre, and ether extracts in this study. From nutrient retention and shell thickness results, experimental diets were presumed to have supported adequate calcium and phosphorous metabolism and equal shell strength since treatments means were similar and the mean values of 0.31 - 0.32mm are close enough to the recommended values of 0.33mm for the tropics (Oluyemi and Robert 1979). Slight increase in shell thickness of eggs of birds on FFSM coupled with higher calcium and phosphorous retention is an indication of better mineral retention (Table 6). This is to say that fat or oil has a positive correlation with mineral retention. This result corroborates the findings of Ogunmodede and Ogunlela (1971) that compared utilization of palm groundnut and melon seed oils by pullets.

TLM will be a good pigmenting agent in poultry production since yolk colour intensified greatly (P < 0.01) as levels of TLM advanced across the treatments. This is line with several works on leaf meals (Oseil et al 1990, Odunsi et al 1996). FFSM appeared to have enhanced (P < 0.05) better absorption of carotenoids in the diets than SBM, a much evident and pronounced outcome in this study (Table IV). Usually, a Roche colour fan of 7-8 will be accepted for grade A eggs in most areas (Leeson and Summers 1997). This implies that, FFSM will be a better protein source than SBM for yolk coloration
 

Conclusion

• Voluntary feed intake, nutrient digestibility, chemical composition, and toxic factors have been claimed to be the indices for nutritive value of a feed (Norton 1989).

• The downward trend observed with feed intake and digestibility may be a strong indication for the presence of toxic factor in the leaf meal.

• An improved dry matter digestibility at higher rate of TLM, better mineral retention and superior yolk colouration noted with FFSM based diets indicated that FFSM improved the utilization of the leaf meal. Consequently, in situations of shortage and or high cost of grains and protein ingredients, TLM will not only serve as a cheaper and abundant non-conventional ingredient but also a good pigmenting and mineral boosting agent when fed with FFSM.
  
   

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