Global Advanced Research Journal of Agricultural Science (GARJAS) ISSN: 2315-5094
October 2015 Vol. 4(10): pp. 673-676
Copyright © 2015 Global Advanced Research Journals

Full Length Research Paper

Productive performance of Rhode Island Red hens fed with foliage shrubs

Santos Magdalena Herrera Gallo¹*, Aslam Díaz Castillo², Geovanny Muñoz Rodríguez¹,  Italo Espinoza Guerra¹,  José Miguel Romero Romero¹  and Tito Solís Barros¹

1 Universidad Técnica de Quevedo (UTEQ), Facultad de Ciencias Pecuarias, Carretera de Quevedo Santo Domingo de los Tsáchilas, km 1 ½, Quevedo, Los Ríos, Ecuador.

2 Universidad de Guayaquil. , Facultad de Medicina Veterinaria, Avenida Kennedy y Delta, Guayaquil, Guayas, Ecuador. 

*Corresponding Author's Email: mallyhe55@hotmail.com

Accepted 20 October, 2015

Abstract

The objective of this study was to evaluate the productive performance of Rhode Island Red hens fed with foliage shrubs (Gliricidia sepium, Cajanus cajan and Morus alba), as replacement of corn and soybean in diet. A total of 100 hens (22-33 weeks old) were distributed in a randomized block design with a control group (based on corn and soybeans) and three experimental groups (5% of shrub in diet), 25 animals/group, five replicates/treatment, five animals/replicate were used. Initial and final weight; consumption; production and quality of eggs were measured. The highest final body weight was obtained in hens that consumed M. alba (2194.33 g/animal). The greatest consumption was obtained in the control (8644.18 g) and M. alba (9509.96 g) diet. There were no differences in consumption (796.37-807.64 g/animal/week) and feed conversion (2.10-3.04). The biggest egg production was obtained with control group and M. alba (6.09 and 5.32 eggs/week/hen, respectively). The egg average weight /week were similar in control, M. alba and C. cajan (61.19-63.47 g).  There were no differences in the eggs size (56-60 g); form and egg yolk pigmentation (between yellow and strong yellow color). The worst results were obtained with G. sepium. It can be suggested the replacement of 5% of corn and soybean in the diet of Rhode Island Red hens with leaf from M. alba and obtain favorable productive performance of hens.

Keywords:  behavior, egg laying, feed intake.