SUBSEQUENT EFFECT OF LOCUST BEAN PULP FED DURING THE GROWER PHASE ON THE LAYING PERFORMANCE OF PULLET (20-42 weeks)

Abstract

Effects of graded dietary levels of locust bean pulp (LBP) fed during the growing phase (9-20 weeks) on subsequent laying performance of the birds from 20-42 weeks of age were investigated. A total of three hundred and thirty (330) birds fed diets containing LBP at 0.00, 0.75, 15.00, 22.50 and 30.00% during the growing phase were used for the study. These same set of birds were fed a common layer diet containing 17% CP and 2727 ME kcal /kg for 22 weeks. Feed intake, water intake, average weight of eggs, hen-day egg production and hen-housed egg production at peak of lay and feed cost per crate of eggs were computed. Results revealed significant (P < 0.05) differences in first egg weight and egg weight at peak production across dietary levels. Feed and water intake increased with increase in the level of LBP in the previous grower diets. Feed cost per crate of egg, income above feed cost, hen day egg production (HDP) and hen housed egg production (HHP) were also significantly (P<0.05) affected by LBP in the previous diets. It was therefore concluded that LBP fed to growing pullets had a carryover effect on the performance of laying hens.