Uso da Moringa oleifera na alimentação de galinhas poedeiras

Abstract

It was aimed to evaluate the performance of commercial laying hens fed different dietary levels of Moringa oleifera leaf meal. For this, 150 62-weeks-old Dekalb White laying hens with initial body weight of 1.458 kg ± 8.70 g were used. These birds were housed in 1.00 x 0.40 x 0.45 m cages equipped with trough type feeders, automatic water cup drinkers and egg collectors, distributed in a completely randomized design, composed by five treatments and five replicates of six birds. Treatments consisted of a reference diet, with no moringa inclusion, and four test diets with levels of 1.5, 3.0, 4.5, and 6% of moringa leaf meal inclusion. Water ad libitum and 120 g of ration per bird were offered daily. Total experimental period lasted 122 days. Obtained data were submitted to analysis of variance and Dunnett test at a significance of 5%, and when significant, submitted to regression analysis. Analysis of leaf meal revealed the presence of antinutritional factors in small concentrations. It was observed that moringa inclusion in the diet did not influence the birds performance parameters and provided significant increases in mean egg weight according to moringa inclusion levels of 1.5%, 4.5% and 6% when compared to reference diet. As well as, there was a significant increase in egg yolk color for all levels tested (1.5 to 6%). A reduction in Haugh unit values was observed when moringa levels of 4.5% and 6% inclusion were used. Although Haugh unit values have been reduced, they are still within the classification standard. Biochemical parameters analysis of birds blood serum did not present significant influence according to the moringa inclusion levels in the diet, although a numerical reduction in cholesterol levels of birds fed with inclusion of 6% of leaf meal in the diet was observed, which may possibly be related to the presence of phytochemical compounds, more precisely the β-sitosterol. Moringa oleifera leaf meal can be used to feed laying hens without compromising bird performance, besides intensifying yolk color.