Replacement value of soyabean meal with raw sand box (Hura crepitans ) seed meal in laying hen diets

Abstract

An experiment was conducted to evaluate the partial substitution of soyabean meal with raw sandbox (Hura crepitans) seed meal on the performance of laying hens. Four experimental layers’ diets were formulated such that the raw sandbox seed meal was used to substitute soyabean meal at 0%, 10%, 15% and 20% dietary levels, respectively. One hundred and twenty-two Shika Brown laying hens, 32weeks old were randomly divided into four treatment groups and assigned to the four diets in a completely randomized design. Each treatment was in three replicates of ten hens each. Feed and water were given ad libitum for 12 weeks. Data on feed intake, body weight gain, hen-day egg production, egg weight, feed conversion ratio, egg quality and internal organ characteristics were collected. There was no significant (P>0.05) difference in the performance of the groups on the 0% and those on the substitution levels in all the parameters measured, except in body weight gain. Feed intake, feed conversion ratio, hen-day egg production (%) and egg weights of the groups on the partial substitution levels of soyabean meal with raw sandbox meal compared favourably with the 0% group. Hens on the 0% group diet recorded higher values which were however not statistically different (P>0.05) except in body weight gain. The organ weight analysis and egg quality characteristics (both external and internal analysis) of the birds on partial substitution levels of soyabean meal with raw sandbox meal compared favourably with the 0% group. Therefore, raw sandbox seed meal could partially substitute soyabean meal at 20% dietary level in laying hen diets comparing favourably with the 0% group.