The Effects of Partial Substitution of Maize with Enset (<i>Ensete ventricosum</i>) Corm on Production and Reproduction Performance of White Leghorn Layer

Abstract

One hundred and eighty white leghorn layers were used to evaluate the effects of partial replacement of maize with enset (Ensete ventricosum) corm on production and reproduction performance. The layers were fed ration containing enset corm at levels of 0% (T1), 6.5% (T2), 13% (T3) and 20% (T4) to replace 0, 15, 30 and 45% of maize. The experiment was arranged in a completely randomized design with three replications and lasted 12 weeks. Hens were weighed at the start and end of the experiment. Data on dry matter intake, hen-day egg production, egg weight and egg mass were recorded daily. Egg quality parameters (egg shell weight and thickness, albumen weight and height, Haugh unit and egg yolk weight and color were determined at an interval of 7 days using 4 eggs per replicate. Enset corm contained 3.2% crude protein, 6.2% ether extract, 2.1% crude fibre and 1.18μg/100g beta-carotene. The mean daily DM intake of the group fed with T1 was significantly lower (P<0.05) compared with the groups fed with T2, T3 and T4, all of which had similar values. There was no significant difference (P>0.05) between all the treatment groups in average daily gain, hen-day egg production, egg mass, egg weight, feed conversion ratio, mortality rate, egg quality parameters, fertility, hatchability, embryonic mortality and chick quality characteristics. The net return gained from the inclusion of 13% enset corm to replace 30% of maize was more economical in terms of egg production and feed cost. Therefore, due to the year round availability and easy access by smallholder farmers in enset growing areas of Ethiopia, enset corm could safely and economically used in replacing 30% of maize in layers ration.