Effects of processed sholla (Ficus sycomorus) fruits inclusion in the diet on performance, egg quality characteristics and feeding economics of layers

Yonas Belete, Mengistu Urge¹, Negassi Ameha¹ and Gebremedhn Beyene²

Department of Animal Production and Technology, Woldiya University, P.O.Box 400, Woldiya, Ethiopia
yobelete2011@gmail.com
¹ College of Agriculture and Environmental Sciences, Haramaya University, P.O.Box 138, Dire Dawa, Ethiopia
² College of Dryland Agriculture and Natural Resources, Mekelle University, P.O.Box 231, Mekelle, Ethiopia

Abstract

A study was conducted to evaluate the effects of feeding different proportions of processed sholla fruit (PSF) on egg production performance, egg quality characteristics and feeding economics in Completely Randomized Design (CRD) for 90 days. The dietary treatments entailed inclusion of (PSF) in layer diets at rate of 0, 7, 14 and 21% level and designated as PSF0 (control), PSF7, PSF14 and PSF21, respectively.

Feed conversion was not influenced by inclusion of PSF in layer diets. Feed intake was higher PSF14 and PSF21 than control group. Egg production and egg weight increased numerically whereas growth parameters increased linearly and mortality rate of birds decreased with increase of PSF in layer diets. Haugh unit, Albumen height and yolk parameters except yolk colour were not influenced by inclusion of PSF in layer diets. However, the inclusion of PSF levels in layer diets increased albumen weight, shell thickness, egg weight of sampled eggs, yolk colour and a net return. It can be concluded that utilization PSF in layer diets can improve performance of birds and shell quality characteristics, produce desirable yolk colour and can be economically beneficial, thus its inclusion up 21% in layer diet is highly suggested.

Key words: agroforestry, indigenous breeds, local feeds, multi-purpose trees

Introduction

Most developing countries are still facing difficulties in providing sufficient food for their population (Zafar et al 2005). However, poultry species such as the domestic fowl, Turkeys, Ducks, Goose and Ostriches can offer social, nutritional and economic service to man (Solomon 2004) but chickens seem to be the most important among poultry species in many countries.  Ethiopia is one of the few African countries which contain large population of indigenous chickens, which is estimated to be 42 million. Of these, 96.61%, 0.55% and 2.84% of the total poultry were reported to be indigenous, hybrid and exotic chickens, respectively (CSA 2010). However, in Ethiopia the price of conventional or basic feed ingredients particularly grains has been tremendously increasing leading to a steady increase of cost for poultry feeds. According to Wilson and Beyer (2000) poultry feed accounts for 60-70% of layer production cost. This scenario has made poultry production to be very expensive whereas Ethiopia, like many other developing countries is not yet to be self-sufficient in cereal grains production.  Consequently, this suggest  a need to search for locally available non-conventional feed ingredients such as fruits of multipurpose trees which can replace the traditional cereal crops in poultry feeds (Zafar et al 2005). Among of the unconventional feedstuffs available in Ethiopia are the processed Ficus sycomorus fruits (PSF) which seem to be potential alternative feedstuff that can be included in poultry feeds.

The multipurpose tree Ficus sycomorus is available in many parts of Ethiopia. The best growing site for F. sycomorus trees are drainage lines, streams, rivers, springs or dams (Bekele et al 1993). The fruits of these trees are used as feeds for wild animals and birds. However, its nutritional value for poultry is yet to be sufficiently studied. Taking in consideration that these fruits are consumed by wild birds that could suggest their potential as feed ingredients in poultry feeds and their inclusion in poultry diets probably might bridge the gap of being with inadequate traditional cereals in Ethiopia. Therefore, this study was designed to evaluate the effects of different levels of PSF inclusion in white leghorn layer diet on egg production performance, egg quality characteristics and its economics. The hypothesis behind this study is that inclusion of PSF in layer diets could replace traditional grains and produce economical poultry feeds and improve egg production performance and egg quality parameters.

Materials and methods

Description of the study area

The experiment was conducted at Poultry Farm of Haramaya University. The area is located between 42o3’E longitudes and 9^o26^'N latitude within altitude of 1980 m.a.s.l along 505 km east of Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.  It is characterized by mean annual rainfall of 780 mm and the temperatures ranges between 8 and 24^oC (Samuel 2008).

Experimental design and treatments

One hundred fifty six (156) white leghorn hens and 24 cocks at seven months of age were randomly allotted to four dietary treatments arranged in three replicates in Completely Randomized Design (CRD). Each experimental replicate had 13 pullets and two (2) cockerels. The dietary treatment entailed inclusion of processed sholla fruits (PSF) in layer diets at rate of 0, 7, 14 and 21% level designated as PSF0, PSF7, PSF14 and PSF21, respectively.

 Preparation of experimental diets

 F. sycomorus fruits were harvested at maturity stage along Mojjo River during the months of April and May. The fruits were harvested by clamping and shaking the trees and thereafter fruits were dried under shade for seven days. The dried fruits were then put into sacks and transported to the experimental area and stored in a well-ventilated shade until used. Maize grain, noug seed cake and dried Ficus sycomorus fruits were hammer milled at feed mill of Haramaya University to pass through 5 mm sieve size and stored at dried place.  All dietary treatment rations used in this study were iso-caloric and iso-nitrogenous with to meet the nutrient requirements of layers in accordance to (NRC 1994) recommendations.

Management of experimental birds and chemical analysis of feed ingredients and diets

The birds used for this study were reared at Haramaya University poultry farm. The experiment was conducted at Haramaya University poultry farm a period of 90 days.  The first seven (7) days used a preliminary period for adaptation of birds to experimental diets and the new environment. Before the actual experiment, the experimental pens, watering and feeding troughs, laying nests were thoroughly cleaned, disinfected and sprayed against external parasites. The birds were kept on deep litter housing system covered with teff straw of 10 cm depth with their individual laying nest per replicate. Feed and water were provided on ad libitum basis and artificial light was provided for 16 hours throughout the experimental period.

Representative samples were taken from each of the feed ingredients used in the experiment and analyzed before formulating the actual treatment rations. Samples of treatment rations offered were taken at each mixing, and a sub-sample was taken at the end of the experiment. Nine samples were analyzed, five of them are feed ingredient and the remaining four are treatment rations.

Feed samples were analyzed for dry matter (DM), ether extract (EE), crude fiber (CF) and ash at Haramaya University nutrition laboratory using the procedure of AOAC (1990). Kjeldahl procedure of nitrogen analysis was used to determine nitrogen (N), the crude protein (CP) was calculated as Nx6.25. Calcium and phosphorus were determined by atomic absorption spectrometer at Haramaya University soil laboratory. The metabolisable energy value (ME) of the experimental diets were determined by indirect method according to Wiseman (1987) as follows:  ME (Kcal/kg DM) = 3951 + 54.4 EE – 88.7 CF – 40.8 Ash

Data collection procedure

The live weight of each individual experimental bird was recorded at initial stage and the end of an experimental period using sensitive balance of 0.005-3 Kg capacity and takes the average live weight per replicate. The amount of feed consumed was recorded daily per replicate. Feed intake in each replicate was calculated as the difference between the feed offered and refused on DM basis. Eggs were collected and weighed daily. The egg production was calculated on a hen-day basis and the average egg weight was calculated in each replicate. Feed conversion efficiency was calculated as gram of egg per gram of feed. Mortality of hens of experimental birds was also recorded daily and mortality rate was calculated as the total birds dead (including culls) throughout the rearing period divided by the original number of birds placed at day 1 and multiplied this figure by 100.

Eggs were examined for physical and interior quality. Three (3) eggs were randomly selected from each dietary treatment replicate for measurements of physical and interior quality of eggs for 8 weeks. The components of egg (albumen, yolk, and shell) were measured after every two weeks.  Shell thickness (without shell membrane) of the eggs was measured by micrometer gauge. Shell thickness was calculated as a mean value of measurements at 3 locations on the eggs (air cell, equator, and sharp end). The weights of egg component weights were measured by sensitive balance of 0.005 - 3 kg capacity, whereas albumen and yolk heights were measured by tripod micrometer. Haugh unit was determined and yolk color was evaluated by the Roche yolk color fan. Moreover, the partial budget analysis was employed to estimate the economic benefits of processed sholla fruits inclusion in white leghorn layer ration in accordance to (Upton 1979).

Statistical analysis

 Data were analyzed in accordance to Completely Randomized Design (CRD) using the ANOVA of SAS software version 9.1.3 for windows (2008). The Least Square Difference was used to compare means of each variable. Values were considered significant at (P ≤ 0.05).

Results and discussion

Experimental feed ingredients and rations

The chemical composition of feed ingredients and experimental rations are shown in Table 1 and Table 2. The crude protein (CP) content of PSF in the present was within of those reported by other authors (Lorenzo 2002; Makishima 2005). However, Alyssa (2009) reported higher CP values in PSF   than those obtained in the present study. The DM content of PSF in the present was higher whereas the ash content was comparable to those reported by (Szolnok 1985). The reason for conflicting results in the present study with other previous studies in chemical composition of PSF is not clear but probably was attributed by differences in harvesting season, stage of harvesting, and growth pattern of the species within the genus, genetic potential, bioclimatic conditions and cropping systems (Divakaran et al 1985; Chanda and Bhaid 1987).

The nutrient contents of the experimental rations in the present study such as metabolizable energy, crude protein, calcium, phosphorus and fiber content were within the range recommended for layer chickens by other authors (Leeson and summers 2001).

Effects of PSF inclusion on performance of layer chickens

Feed intake and performance of white leghorn chicken fed rations containing different levels of PSF are shown in Table 3. The inclusion PSF in layers’ rations had an influence in feed intake (FI) of birds. The FI was comparable between birds fed PSF0 (control) and PSF7 group but FI was higher in birds fed PSF14 and PSF21 than control group. However, the present study, FI did not differ among PSF14 and PSF21 groups. The reason for increase in FI with increase of PSF levels observed the present study was not clear but due to the experimental rations being similar in energy, protein and CF content probably PSF improved palatability and that increased FI of birds. These results are supported by   (El-Deek et al 2009) who noted that Guava by-product (GBP) fruits inclusion in layers diet at 10 and 15% improved feed intake. These results suggest the inclusion of PSF from 14% to above in layers diets can improve feed palatability and eventually feed intake.

In the present study, the initial body weight (IBWT) did differ between dietary treatment groups. However, the final body weight (FBWT) and daily body weight gain (DBWG) differed among dietary treatment group. The FBWT and DBWG were comparable among PSF0 and PSF7 but higher in PSF14 and PSF21 groups than control group. The present study noted similar FBWT and DBWG among PSF14 and PSF21 groups. These results could be associated with higher CP intake in PSF14 and PSF 21 than their counterparts in control and PSF7. The hens fed high protein diets have higher final body weight than those fed lower protein diets (Hassan et al 2000). These results were supported by El-Deek et al (2009) who reported   increase in weight gain of laying hens due to 10 and 15% Guava fruit by-product. These results suggest the inclusion of PSF from 14% to above in layer diets could improve the growth performance of layers.

The present showed an increasing trend of mean percentage hen-day and hen-housed egg productions with increase of PSF in layer ration though not were significant (Table 3).  These results might be due to slight increase protein intake with an increase of PSF in the layer diet that slightly increased egg production. These results agree with Hermogenes et al (2011) who did not show difference in egg production as inclusion of Capsicum frutescens fruit increased up to 20g per 10kg mixture in layer ration. These results imply the amount protein intake up 21% PSF in the layer diet was not high enough to affect a significant increase in egg production. Further, the results in present study showed increasing trend of egg weight and egg mass production with an increase of PSF in layer diets though were not significant. These results were agreement the previous work of El-Deek et al (2009) who did not find the effect of GBP fruits inclusion in layer diet up to 15% in egg weight and egg mass performance though noted a numerical increase with increasing level of GBP fruits. These results suggests that inclusion of PSF in layer diets has no detrimental effect but can slightly  improve egg production, egg weight and egg mass performance.

The results in the present study show that feed conversion were comparable among dietary   treatments (Table 3). These results disagree with the previous findings of Hermogenes et al (2011) who reported a reduction in feed conversion with inclusion of C. frutescens fruits in layer diets.  The conflict of the results with previous studies might be associated with differences in chemical composition of PSF. On the other hand, the results showed the influence of dietary treatment on mortality rate for layer chickens (Table 3). The mortality rate was highest in PSF0 (control) but was lowest in PSF21 dietary group. This result indicates that probably PSF contain chemical compounds with medicinal values that could prevent infectious or parasitic diseases or could enhance body defense. The results suggest that utilization of PSF in layer diets up to 21% has no detrimental effect on feed conversion and can improve health of birds.

Effects of PSF inclusion on egg quality parameters

Egg quality parameters of white leghorn chicken fed rations containing different levels of processed sholla fruits are shown in Table 4. The results in the present study show that inclusion of PSF in layer diets had no influence on all measured yolk parameters except yolk color, shell weight and albumen height and Hough unit. These results agree with other previous studies of Ihekoronye and Ngoddy 1985 and El-Deek et al (2009) who showed similar accepted range of yolk index and reported that inclusion of Guava fruit in layer diets had no negative effect on egg yolk index. However, these results were in conflict with the work of Yildiz et al (2006) who reported lower Haugh unit in eggs from birds fed diet containing  Jerusalem artichoke (Helianthus tuberosus L.) up to 10 % compared to the control.  The reason for conflicting results might be associated with differences in age of experimental birds and egg storage conditions (Williams, 1992). These results suggest that inclusion of PSF in layer diets has no detrimental effect on yolk index, yolk diameter and Haugh unit.

 However, the results revealed the influence of PSF inclusion in layer diets on yolk colour, albumen weight, shell thickness and sampled egg weight. The yolk colour increased with increase of PSF level in layer diet suggesting presence of xanthophylls in PSF. These results were in contrast with the finding of Hermogenes et al (2011) who noted that diets containing varying level of C. frutescens fruits had no effect on yolk color intensity. The reasons for the conflicting results were not clear might be associated with differences in storage condition, time of harvesting of used PSF and type of control diet. Moreover, albumen weight increased with increased of PSF level in layer diet that was suggesting increase of amino acid intake as PSF increased in the diet (Novak et al 2004). Egg shell thickness was higher in PSF dietary groups than the control group indicating higher calcium content in PSF. These results agree with El-Deek et al (2009) findings who reported higher shell thickness to birds fed Guava by product fruits than the control group.  These results indicates that inclusion of PSF in layer diets can improve shell quality and internal egg quality characteristics, egg weight and moderately  produce desirable  yolk color.

Effects of PSF inclusion in feeding economics of layer chickens

The economic returns in terms of partial budget analysis from egg sale and commercial feed costs are presented in Table 5. The results in the present study show that the net return increased with increasing dietary level of PSF in layer diets. The PSF21 dietary treatment had highest net return whereas PSF0 (control) dietary treatment had lowest net return. These results indicate that inclusion of PSF in layer diets is profitable due to lower cost of PSF compared to other feed ingredients. These results suggest inclusion of PSF up to 21% can reduce feed cost and eventually can increase profitability of layer chicken’s enterprises.

Conclusions

• It can be concluded that inclusion of PSF in layer diets improved feed intake, growth, egg production and health performance of layer chickens. Moreover, PSF improved egg shell quality characteristics, albumen quality, yolk color and net return. Thus, inclusion of PSF up to 21% in layer diets is highly suggested.

Acknowledgements

We would like to extent our acknowledgement to Ethiopian Ministry of Education for covering all costs to undertake this work. The authors are also very grateful to Haramaya University poultry farm and Animal Nutrition and Soil Laboratory crew for their support and cooperation in providing necessary facilities, undertaking laboratory analysis and for day to day assistance.

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Received 6 February 2016; Accepted 5 March 2016; Published 1 April 2016

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