The performance and egg quality characteristics of layers fed diets containing graded levels of Garcinia kola seed meal

Abstract

Effects of dietary Garcinia kola meal (bitter kola) on the performance and egg quality characteristics of laying hens were investigated. Four layers diets were made such that diet T₀ (control) contained no Garcinia kola meal while diets T_2.5, T_5.0 and T_7.5 contained 2.5%, 5.0% and 7.5% Garcinia kola meal, respectively. Each diet was fed to a group of 30 laying hens at 30 weeks of laying life for 84 days, using completely randomized design (CRD). Each group was further sub-divided into three replicates of 10 hens each. The layers on T_2.5 and T_5.0 diets added significantly (P < 0.05) less body weight than those on T₀ and T_7.5 diets. There were no significant differences in their feed intake (P > 0.05). T_2.5 significantly (P < 0.05) depressed hen-day egg production but enhanced egg weight. Feed conversion ratio (g feed/ g egg) was not affected by the treatments (P > 0.05). Egg quality indices (egg shape index, egg specific gravity, Haugh unit, egg shell thickness, albumen index and yolk index) were not affected by the treatments (P > 0.05). Egg shell index was significantly (P<0.05) enhanced by Garcinia kola meal. At 2.5% level, it significantly enhanced percent albumin and reduced percent yolk (P<0.05). Cost of egg production (N/kg eggs) was adversely increased as the level of Garcinia kola meal increased.

Key words: Egg production, egg quality, Garcinia kola, laying hens.