Laying Performance of Heritage Chicken (Gallus domesticus) Fed with Madre De Agua Leaf Meal (Trichanthera gigantea) as a Plant Protein Ingredient
Abstract
This study examined the nutritional potential of Madre de Agua leaf meal (MDALM) as a plant-based protein source for heritage layer hens (Gallus domesticus). The experiment lasted 60 days and used a completely randomized design (CRD). Nine-month-old heritage hens were randomly assigned to three treatment groups, with four replicates in each group. The experimental diets were formulated as follows: T1 (control, 0% MDALM), T2 (10% MDALM), and T3 (15% MDALM). The parameters assessed included laying percentage, feed consumption, feed conversion ratio (FCR), feed cost per egg produced, income over feed cost (IOFC), egg weight, eggshell weight, eggshell thickness, and egg yolk color intensity. The results revealed that the inclusion of MDALM, up to 15%, did not significantly influence (P>0.05) laying percentage, feed consumption, feed conversion ratio, egg weight, eggshell weight, or eggshell thickness; all production metrics remained comparable to those of the control group. Furthermore, feed consumption was consistent across the treatments (112.71 to 114.33 g/bird/day), indicating the satisfactory palatability of the MDALM-supplemented diets. The egg yolk coloration intensity also exhibited a significant increase (P<0.01) which corresponded with the quantity of MDALM added. The control group had the least mean value of 5.7 on the DSM yolk color fan while T2 and T3 groups had significantly higher values of 6.95 and 7.85, which corresponded to improvements of 21.9% and 37.7%, respectively. Although economic data showed numerical trends toward higher feed costs per egg and a decrease in IOFC with greater MDALM inclusion, these differences were not statistically significant (P>0.05). Thus, the results recommend that Madre de Agua leaf meal (MDALM) can be included in layer diets, up to 15%, without negatively affecting production or the quality of the eggs. The observed enhancement in egg yolk color intensity indicates that MDALM functions effectively as both a viable alternative protein source and a beneficial natural pigment. Therefore, a 10% MDALM inclusion level is recommended for practical application, given its considerable impact on yolk color enhancement and its minimal negative influence on economic outcomes. This study's findings endorse the utilization of locally available MDALM as a sustainable feed ingredient for small-scale poultry operations, potentially reducing dependence on expensive conventional protein sources while simultaneously improving egg quality attributes.
Downloads
References
Bejar, F. R. (2017). Effects of Trichanthera gigantea leaf meal on the growth and production of quails supplemented with Aloe vera extract and acid cheese whey. Online Journal of Animal and Feed Research, 7(6), 138-144.
Dozier, W. A., Kidd, M. T., & Corzo, A. (2008). Feed Cost Implications in Poultry Production: A Review of Variable Costs and Economic Efficiency. Journal of Applied Poultry Research, 17(3), 412-419.
Durasan, V. (2012). Native Chicken Production and Management Practices in the Philippines. Philippine Journal of Animal Science, 45(1), 23-31.
Jaya, N. A., Rosyidi, D., & Sjofjan, O. (2008). Nutritional Composition and Feeding Value of Madre de Agua (Trichanthera gigantea) Leaf Meal for Poultry. Journal of Tropical Animal Feed, 12(3), 178-185.
Hien, T. Q., Hoan, T. T., Khoa, M. A., Kien, T. T., Huong, P. T., & Nhung, H. T. H. (2017).
Nutrient digestibility determination of Cassava, Leucaena, Stylosanthes, Moringa and Trichanthera leaf meals in chickens. Bulgarian Journal of Agricultural Science, 23(3), 476– 480.
Libatique, F. O. (2020). Growth performance, hematological profile and sensory characteristics of Pekin ducks fed with different levels of Trichanthera gigantea leaf meal.
Journal of Critical Reviews, 7, 134-142
Mananghaya, J. R. (2017). Commercial Feed Formulation and Nutrient Requirements for Poultry. Philippine Agricultural Scientist, 100(2), 145-153.
Morbos, C. E., Espina, D. M., & Bestil, L. C. (2016). Growth Performance of Philippine Native Chicken Fed Diet Supplemented with Varying Levels of Madre de Agua (Nees) Leaf Trichanthera gigantea Meal. Annals of Tropical Research, 38(1), 174-182.
Paguia, H. M., Paguia, R. Q., Pinsel, J. R. A., Zaballa, S., Abuan, A. G., & Corpuz, M. N.
C. (2022). Effect of Adding Different Levels of Duckweed (Lemna minor Linn.) in the Diet on
Live Body Weight, Hematological Traits and Production Cost of Free-range Chickens, Gallus domesticus Linn. (Black Austrolorp x Barred Playmouth Rock). Agricultural Science, 4(2), p16-p16.
Philippine Statistics Authority. (2023). Chicken Egg Inventory Report as of September 30, 2023. Retrieved from https://psa.gov.ph/livestock-poultry-iprs/chicken-egg/inventory.
Rosales, M. (1997). Trichanthera gigantea (Humboldt & Bonpland.) Nees: A review.
Livestock Research for Rural Development, 9(4). https://Irrd.org/4/mauro942.htm.
Tecson, M. L., & Catubis, K. M. L. (2022). Fresh Madre de Agua (Trichanthera gigantea) and Malunggay (Moringa oleifera) Leaves as Feed Inclusion for Japanese Quail (Coturnix japonica). Philippine Journal of Veterinary & Animal Sciences, 48(2).
Villar, N. M. R., Villar, R. G., Soriano, M. L. L., & Ballentes, M. G. (2022). Egg production and egg quality of Japanese quails (Coturnix coturnix japonica) fed with commercial ration substituted with varying levels of madre de agua (Tricanthera gigantea) leaf meal. Journal of Biodiversity and Environmental Sciences, 20(6), 91-100.
Author(s) and co-author(s) jointly and severally represent and warrant that the Article is original with the author(s) and does not infringe any copyright or violate any other right of any third parties, and that the Article has not been published elsewhere. Author(s) agree to the terms that the GPH Journal will have the full right to remove the published article on any misconduct found in the published article.
