Effect of Moringa oleifera leaf meal inclusion in diets on egg production and egg quality performance of Bovans brown chicken in Atsbi district, Eastern Tigray, Ethiopia

Meles Weldeabreha, Gebremedhn Beyene¹ and Daniel Kiros¹

WeForest, Tigray, Ethiopia
¹Faculty of Animal Science, College of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, Mekelle University, P.o.Box 231, Mekelle, Tigray, Ethiopia
gebremedhn.beyene@mu.edu.et

Abstract

This study aimed to investigate the effects of different levels of Moringa oleifera leaves meal (MOLP) in the diet on egg production and quality traits of Bovans Brown chickens. Additionally, it assessed farmers’ perceptions of the economic benefits and profitability of this feeding regime through a partial budget analysis in Atsbi District, Tabia G/Naele. Conventional feeds were selected based on a rapid appraisal survey and prepared to be mixed with the treatment feeds. Fifteen farmers, managing a total of 79 Bovans Brown chickens, were purposively selected for the experiment. The study employed a Randomized Complete Block Design (RCBD) with five treatment groups: 0%, 5%, 10%, 15% and 20% MOLP, each with three replications. Data analysis was performed using SAS software and treatments were compared using LSD at a 5% significance level (p<0.05). Results showed significant differences among treatments for feed intake, feed conversion ratio, hen-day egg production, daily egg production percentage, egg weight, albumen weight and eggshell weight. However, parameters such as body weight gain (BWG), egg strength, eggshell thickness, yolk color, yolk weight, yolk height, albumen height and Haugh unit (HU) were not significantly affected (p<0.05). The treatments with 10% and 15% MOLP inclusion were most preferred by the chickens, indicating optimal levels for enhancing productivity. The findings suggest that incorporating Moringa oleifera leaves meal at appropriate levels can improve egg production and quality, emphasizing the importance of aligning nutritional requirements with Moringa inclusion to maximize benefits during the laying period.

Keywords: Bovans brown chicken, egg production, egg quality

Introduction

The poultry sector offers a promising solution to address nutritional deficiencies, rural employment and income generation, especially during economic hardships (Mensah et al 2022). However, the cost of poultry feed, which accounts for up to 70% of total production expenses (Zegeye et al 2023), remains a major challenge. Conventional feed ingredients like soybean meal and fish meal are becoming increasingly expensive and scarce due to rising global demand. This situation compels stakeholders to explore alternative protein sources that can support animal health, performance and product quality without compromising profitability (Brunetti et al 2022). Finding sustainable, affordable feed options is essential for maintaining and expanding poultry productivity in resource-limited settings.

Moringa oleiferaleaves present a highly nutritious alternative, containing approximately 25-32% protein and notable concentrations of essential minerals such as iron, potassium and calcium, as well as vitamins A and C (Gopalakrishnan et al 2016). The leaves also provide 16–19 amino acids, ten of which are essential (Moyo et al 2014), while their dehydrated form yields high crude protein with 5.9% crude fibre, 7.09% crude fat and 7.6–12% ash (Su and Chen 2020).Due to their rich nutrient content and bioactive compounds, Moringa leaves (MSL) have become a potential candidate as an alternative feed ingredient for livestock in general and poultry in particular (Demisse et al 2024). This makes them an excellent substitute for expensive protein sources like soybean or fish meal, especially in Ethiopia where such ingredients are limited or costly. Recent research indicates that Moringa leaf meal can enhance poultry performance, improve egg quality and increase profitability by serving as a natural feed additive. Despite these benefits, limited data exist on the optimal inclusion levels of Moringa leaf meal in poultry diets, particularly during the mid-laying period (typically weeks 26–40, corresponding to peak egg production and highest nutritional demands) and within semi-intensive farming systems. Therefore, this study was conducted to evaluate the effects of different dietary levels of Moringa oleifera leaf meal on feed intake, egg production and egg quality performance of Bovans Brown chickens under smallholder production conditions.

Materials and methods

Description of the Study Area

The study was conducted in Atsbi District, Ganta Naele Rural Kebele (Tegahne village), in eastern Tigray, about 65 km northeast of Mekelle. Located at 2,400–3,000 meters altitude, it covers 60,975 hectares, with 8,457 hectares cultivated and a population of 86,698, including 9,903 female-headed households. The area has an average temperature of 18°C, annual rainfall of 667.8 mm and supports livestock farming with over 42,000 cattle, nearly 109,000 shoats and 164,000 chickens, including exotic breeds.

Sampling technique and sample size

The study was conducted in a purposively selected Tabia (Ganta Naele) of Atsbi District. A total of 45 female-headed households owning chickens were purposively selected for questionnaires to assess flock size, feeding practices and feed types. For the feeding trial, 15 households were chosen based on the number of chickens, proximity and willingness, each managing about 5-6 Bovans Brown laying hens aged around 44 weeks (verified via purchase records and farmer recall). A total of 79 Bovans Brown chickens from these households were used in the experiment. Treatments were randomly assigned under a completely randomized design, with standardized feeding, regular monitoring and farmer training to reduce variability.

Preparation of test ingredient

Moringa oleifera leaf meal used in this study was sourced from Wukro St. Mary College in the Eastern Zone of Tigray. The leaves were harvested from farmland and air-dried in the shade until they became crispy, while maintaining their green color. The dried leaves were then ground into meal and properly packed. After proximate composition analysis at Wukro St. Mary College laboratory (crude protein, crude fiber, ether extract, ash and dry matter, following AOAC (2005) standard procedures), the M. oleifera leaf meal (MOLM) was incorporated into chicken diets at levels of 0%, 5%, 10%, 15% and 20%.

Experimental design and treatments

Two common grounded local feeds maize and barley were selected based on a Rapid Appraisal Survey of 15 chicken owners. A total of 79 chickens were divided into five treatment groups, each with similar initial numbers and healthy status. The control group received a farmer-mixed grain feed. Moringa oleifera leaf meal (MOLM) replaced portions of conventional protein sources at varying levels, ensuring nutrient balance per NRC (1994) guidelines. Feed was crushed and mixed simply by the farmers. All birds received Oxytetracycline 20% administered in drinking water at 200 mg/L for the 7 consecutive days during the first week as a prophylactic measure to ensure health. The study adapted existing farmer feeding practices for experimental purposes.

A randomized complete block design (RCBD) was employed for the study. Seventy-nine 44-week-old Bovans Brown hens a breed selected due to its widespread use in local poultry development programs targeting women-headed households to improve household nutrition and income were randomly assigned to five dietary treatments (MOLM0, MOLM5, MOLM10, MOLM15 and MOLM20). There were 15–16 birds per treatment, with each treatment replicated three times (one household served as one block/replicate, containing approximately 5 birds per household per treatment). The hens were housed separately in modified cages for easy management and confinement. Diets containing varying levels of M. oleifera leaf meal (MOLM) were fed for eight weeks, with water provided ad libitum. Routine management practices were strictly maintained throughout the experimental period. The statistical model used was:

Yij = µ + Ti + Bj + eij

Where:

Yij = Response variable

µ = Overall mean

Ti = Treatment effect

Bj = Block effect (household/replication)

eij = Random error

Housing and management of chickens

Housing was cleaned and smoked to reduce parasites. Chickens were reared semi-intensively, with a standard diet for the first 7 days, then given specific diets from day 8. Routine care ensured healthy growth.

Feed intake, egg production and egg quality

Performance traits such as egg production, daily feed intake and feed conversion ratio (FCR) were recorded regularly. Eggs were collected daily, weighed weekly and egg production was calculated as hen-day percentage. Feed intake was determined by subtracting leftovers from daily feed offered. Egg quality was assessed at the start and end of eight weeks, measuring egg weight, shell thickness, shell weight, yolk and albumen weights, yolk color and internal quality indicators like Haugh units. Eggs were sampled biweekly for external and internal traits and surveys gathered farmers' perceptions on production and quality.

Statistical data analysis

Data were analyzed with ANOVA in SAS version 9.2 (SAS Institute Inc., Cary, NC, USA, 2008) and significance set at p<0.05. Means were compared using Tukey’s HSD test.

Results

Perception of respondents, feeding practices and feed types in the study area

Most farmers fed maize and barley, with over 60% feeding grains raw or crushed. About 60% owned 5-6 chickens, mainly improved breeds from NGOs. Many knew Moringa oleifera benefits. Egg production and quality improved in some treatments, with healthy chickens and feather re-growth reported.

Feed ingredients and experimental treatments

The chemical composition of ingredients and experimental rations in the Moringa oleifera meal as indicated in Table 2 has rich profile of nutrients, including high levels of proteins, vitamins and minerals. Moringa oleifera is particularly noted for its elevated content of essential amino acids, calcium, potassium and antioxidants, making it a valuable component in poultry feed formulations. The experimental rations incorporating Moringa oleifera demonstrate improved nutritional quality and potential benefits for growth performance and health in poultry.

Feed intake, body weight and egg production performance

The study found no significant difference in body weight gain across all treatments (p > 0.05). However, feed intake, feed conversion ratio (FCR), average egg production, hen-day egg production (HDEP) and daily egg production percentage showed significant differences between treatments.

Figure 1. Effect of feeding moringa leaf meal on egg production percentage

Although egg weight gain was not statistically significant (p > 0.05), Treatment MOLM15 recorded the highest mean gain of 3.76 g, followed by MOLM10 (10% MOLM; 2.52 g) and MOLM20 (20% MOLM; 2.26 g). Differences between MOLM5 (5% MOLM) and the control MOLM0 were negligible.

Egg weight and quality parameters

The study showed a significant difference in egg weight among treatments ( p < 0.05). Mean egg weights were 55.03 g MOLM0, 57.41 g MOLM5, 58.08 g MOLM10, 58.98 g MOLM15 and 62.38 g MOLM20, with Treatment 5 producing the heaviest eggs.

Eggshell Weight, Thickness and Strength

Eggshell weight differed highly significantly across treatments ( p < 0.001), with averages of 8.00 g MOLM0, 6.83 g MOLM5, 6.00 g MOLM10, 6.67 g MOLM15 and 5.00 g MOLM20. Although shell thickness and egg breaking strength did not differ significantly among treatments p > 0.05), a numerical trend was observed: MOLM10 and MOLM15 had the greatest shell thickness, followed by MOLM20, MOLM5 and MOLM0. Shell breaking strength was numerically highest in MOLM15 (15% MOLM), followed by MOLM20 and MOLM10.

Albumen and Yolk Characteristics

Albumen weight varied significantly (p < 0.05), with means of 35.66 g MOLM0, 34.89 g MOLM5, 36.22 g MOLM10, 39.14 g MOLM15 and 41.59 g MOLM20. Albumen height showed no statistical difference, but MOLM20 had the highest mean (6.73 mm), followed by MOLM10. Yolk quality parameters (color, weight, height) showed no significant differences across treatments. Yolk weight was slightly higher in MOLM15 and MOLM10, with MOLM20 and MOLM5 similar and MOLM0 slightly lower. Yolk height was highest in MOLM20 (6.73 mm), then MOLM10 (6.43 mm), with MOLM0 having the lowest (4.63 mm).

Haugh Unit (HU)

There were no significant differences in Haugh Units (p > 0.05) among treatments. MOLM10 (10% MOLM) had the highest mean HU (79.03), followed by MOLM15 (71.80). Haugh Unit values for MOLM5 and MOLM0 were comparable, indicating no meaningful difference in internal egg quality at lower supplementation levels.

Discussion

Farmers’ perception, feeding practices and feed ingredients

The study found that smallholder poultry farmers primarily used maize, barley and wheat grains, often crushed and mixed with Moringa oleifera leaf meal (MOLM). This aligns with Tsigab (2024), who reported similar feed resource preferences in comparable agro-ecological areas. Grain-based feeding reflects limited access to commercial feeds, leading farmers to rely on locally available ingredients. While M. oleifera leaves are nutritious and can improve growth and health, their high fiber and anti-nutritional factors necessitate balancing with energy-rich feeds like maize or wheat middlings (Kakengi et al 2007; Olugbemi et al 2010). For practical feeding, leaves can be fed fresh or sun-dried and ground into meal, with the latter facilitating precise inclusion, especially for smallholder applications and research. Despite its nutritional benefits, many farmers lacked awareness of Moringa’s advantages and faced inconsistent access to the plant, limiting adoption. Lungut et al (2024) emphasized that farmer education and institutional support are essential for wider adoption of non-conventional feeds. Encouragingly, most farmers recognized improved egg-laying in their birds, often through NGO programs, indicating exposure to structured support. Farmers expressed willingness to adopt Moringa if provided with better information and access, highlighting latent demand that extension services could unlock. Chidembo et al (2023) and Abay et al (2016) also noted that the absence of targeted extension and quality standards hinders systematic integration of Moringa into smallholder diets. These findings underscore the importance of community-based training and support to translate research into practical benefits.

Most respondents reported increased egg production with Moringa supplementation, though some observed no change or slight declines, possibly due to variations in dosage or management. Improvements in egg size, shell strength and overall health were also noted, aligning with experimental measurements. These effects likely stem from enhanced nutrient bioavailability, especially calcium, phosphorus and protein, owing to Moringa’s rich mineral and amino acid profile. Additionally, hens on Moringa diets showed better health indicators, such as lustrous plumage, faster feather regrowth and no mortality, consistent with the immunostimulatory, antioxidant and antimicrobial properties documented by Singh and Chaturvedi (2021) and Kumssa et al (2017).

Feed ingredients and experimental treatments

The chemical composition of Moringa oleifera meal and other feed ingredients, as shown in Table 2, highlights its nutrient-rich profile, notably high levels of crude protein (24.5%) and essential amino acids such as lysine (0.65 g), along with significant mineral content including calcium (2.5%) and ash (11.2%). These attributes make Moringa a valuable ingredient in poultry diets, contributing to improved nutritional quality and supporting growth and health (Gopalakrishnan et al 2016). Experimental rations incorporating Moringa at varying inclusion levels (MOLM0 to MOLM20) demonstrated increased crude protein and amino acid content, which are critical for optimizing poultry performance (Oludoyin et al 2019). Overall, integrating Moringa oleifera into feed formulations can enhance nutrient density and support sustainable poultry production (Siddiqui et al 2014).

Feed intake, body weight and egg production performance

Dietary inclusion of MOLM at varying levels exerted significant effects (p≤ 0.05) on feed intake, feed conversion ratio (FCR), average egg production per day and hen-day egg production (HDEP), while body weight gain did not differ significantly across treatments ( p > 0.05). The absence of significant differences in body weight gain suggests that MOLM substitution at the levels tested did not compromise the nutritional adequacy of diets for somatic maintenance, which is an important practical consideration for smallholder producers. In the present study, MOLM inclusion at MOLM10 yielded the highest HDEP (89.44%) and the most favorable FCR (5.41), while MOLM5 produced the greatest total number of eggs (110.33). These findings corroborate reports that moderate Moringa inclusion stimulates feed intake and egg output, whereas excessively high inclusion levels depress body weight gain and production owing to elevated crude fibre and anti-nutritional compound concentrations (Kakengi et al 2007; Olugbemi et al 2010; Gadzirayi et al 2012). Moderate inclusion levels of 5–10% generally improved egg weight, shell integrity and yolk characteristics without adverse effects on feed intake or live body weight, suggesting that these levels represent a practical optimum under the prevailing experimental conditions.

Egg weight and quality parameters

The study demonstrated a significant difference in egg weight among treatments ( p < 0.05), with a clear numerical trend of increasing egg weight as MOLM inclusion rose from (MOLM0: 55.03 g) to (MOLM20: 62.38 g). This progressive improvement in egg weight with increasing MOLM supplementation may be attributed to the high-quality protein content of M. oleifera leaves, which provides essential amino acids necessary for albumen and yolk synthesis. Internal and external egg quality parameters including shell thickness, albumen weight, yolk colour score and Haugh Unit (HU) values showed numerical improvements with Moringa supplementation, most pronounced at 5–10% MOLM inclusion. The enhanced albumen weight and HU values observed particularly at MOLM10 ( HU = 79.03) are indicative of superior egg freshness and interior quality, which are important determinants of consumer acceptability. This is similar results with Gebremedhn et al (2014) they used lupin meal in the diet of layers. Conversely, inclusion at levels exceeding (MOLM15 and MOLM20) was associated with a numerical decline in selected egg quality indices, which may reflect the inhibitory influence of tannins, saponins and oxalates present in M. oleifera at higher dietary concentrations.

Eggshell Weight, Thickness and Strength

Eggshell weight differed highly significantly across treatments (p < 0.001), with a notable inverse trend: shell weight decreased progressively as MOLM inclusion increased, from 8.00 g in the control to 5.00 g in MOLM20 (20% MOLM). This pattern warrants careful interpretation, as shell weight alone is not a reliable indicator of shell quality; structural integrity is more accurately reflected by shell thickness and breaking strength. Although shell thickness and egg breaking strength did not differ significantly among treatments (p > 0.05), MOLM10 and MOLM15 recorded the greatest shell thickness values and shell breaking strength was numerically highest in MOLM15. These findings are consistent with the Pearson correlation analysis, which confirmed that shell thickness rather than shell mass is the primary determinant of mechanical resistance (r = 0.56 with egg breaking strength, p < 0.05). The calcium and phosphorus content of M. oleifera is likely to have contributed to improved shell mineralization at moderate inclusion levels, an effect that has been similarly reported in other Moringa supplementation studies (Olugbemi et al 2010).

Albumen and yolk characteristics

Albumen weight varied significantly across treatments (p < 0.05), increasing from 35.66 g in the control to 41.59 g in MOLM20, suggesting that M. oleifera supplementation progressively enhanced albumen deposition, likely through the provision of additional lysine, methionine and other essential amino acids that support ovalbumin synthesis. Albumen height, while not statistically significant, was numerically greatest in MOLM20 (6.73 mm), which in turn contributed to the relatively higher Haugh Unit values recorded at moderate inclusion levels. The Pearson correlation analysis confirmed that albumen height is the strongest predictor of Haugh Unit (r = 0.96, p < 0.001), underscoring its central role in determining internal egg quality. Yolk quality parameters including color, weight and height did not differ significantly across treatments, though numerical trends favored MOLM10 and MOLM15 for yolk weight and MOLM20 for yolk height. The negative correlation between yolk weight and albumen proportion (r = −0.54) suggests reciprocal partitioning of egg components, a biological trade-off that may become more pronounced at higher supplementation levels and merits further investigation. This result was in agreement with Eyesus et al (2020); the authors evaluated the layers at farmer’s level.

Conclusion

Moringa oleifera leaf meal (MOLM) improved egg production and shell quality in smallholder hens, with 10% inclusion significantly enhancing performance. Overall, MOLM supplementation can boost productivity, egg quality and supporting food security and rural development.

Acknowledgements

We acknowledge WeForest Ethiopia for covering costs to undertake this research, Mekelle University for egg quality analysis and the poultry producers of the district for their cooperation in the data collection.

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