KOLA-POD HUSK AS A PARTIAL SUBSTITUTE FOR MAIZE IN LAYERS MASH

Abstract

The potential for kola-pod husk (KPH) to partially replace maize in layer diets was investigated. Black Nera hens, 12 months in lay, were used in the 10-week trial. The birds, kept 2 per battery cage, were allocated at 5 groups per dietary treatment in a complete randomized design. The treatments included the control diet (CQ 50 % maize) and three diets in which KPW substituted the maize in CD at 20, 40 and 60% levels. Result’s revealed that up to 60'5: maize substitution with KPH had no significant (P>0.05) effect on percentage egg production, egg weight and feed efficiency. Feed intake was higher (P<0.05) at the 40 % maize replacement level (40 MRL) but the diet had superiority (P<0.05) in egg mass production over the control and 20 MRL based diets. The test diets recorded similar (P<0.05) egg shell percentage as CD. Feed cost/kg egg decreased linearly with increased dietary inclusion of KPW. The shy suggests that KPH could suitably substitute up to 60 % maize in layers mash with a concomitant increase in profit margin.