Utilization of graded levels of Jimson weed (Datura stramonium) and Turmeric (Curcuma longa) blend additive in laying birds' diet

Abstract

A total of 180 laying birds were used to evaluate the influence of graded levels of Jimson weed and turmeric blend on laying performance and egg quality. The birds were allotted into six dietary treatment groups of 30 birds per treatment and 3 replicates of 10 birds each. The test ingredients were mixed at a ratio of 1:1 and the blend ingredient was included in the treatments at T1(0g), T2 (2 g/kg), T3 (4 g/kg), T4 (6 g/kg), T5 (8 g/kg) and T6 (10 g/kg) inclusion levels. Data were collected on egg production performance and egg quality; they were analyzed using one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA). The highest (p < 0.05) hen day production (87.88) was recorded with layers bird-fed diet containing (2 g/kg) while layers fed control diets (0g/kg) had the least (71.17). The highest (p < 0.05) feed intake/egg (265.72 g) was recorded with layers’ bird-fed diet containing 2 g/kg of Jimson weed and turmeric blend while layers fed a control diet (0 g/kg) had the last (219.75g). The highest (p < 0.05) albumen (62.60 g) was recorded with layers bird-fed diet containing (4g/kg) while layers fed diet containing (8 g/kg) of jimson weed and turmeric blend had the least (59.31 g). The highest (p < 0.05) yolk (26.78 g) was recorded with layers bird-fed diet containing 6 g/kg of Jimson weed and turmeric blend while layers fed a diet containing (4 g/kg) had the least (23.30 g). It could be concluded that the use of jimson weed and turmeric blend in diets had a positive effect on production performance and egg quality of laying birds. It is therefore recommended that feeding layers birds with a diet that contains 2 g/kg, 4 g/kg and 6 g/kg of Jimson weed and turmeric blend will aid better production performance and egg quality.