Effect of Lablab purpureus Seed Meal fed at Grower State on Sexual Maturity and Subsequent Laying Performance of Shika Brown Layers.

Abstract

A study was conducted to find the effect of the inclusion of lablab seed meal (LSM) in the diets of Shika brown growers on their sexual maturity and subsequent laying performance. Two hundred and thirty four (234) 20 weeks old point of lay pullets previously fed diets containing groundnut cake (GC), full fat soya (FFS) and lablab seed meal (LSM), as the major sources of plant proteins, were raised on a common diet. Each treatment group had three replicates of 26 birds. The feeding trial lasted for 20 weeks during which records were kept on body weight changes, egg production, egg weight and egg quality parameters. Results showed that pullets previously fed on LSM had similar performance in terms of age at first egg, 5%, 50% and peak production and weight of eggs. Except for body weight changes, for which pullets reared on FFS gained significantly (P<0.05) more weight, other performance characteristics and egg quality parameters did not differ significantly between treatment groups. It was however less expensive to rear growers on LSM. It could be concluded that lablab seed meal could be used as a source of plant protein in the diets of Shika brown growers without compromising their subsequent laying performance.

Keywords: Lablab, Sexual Maturity, Laying Performance, Shika Brown Layers.