Antioxidant effects of <i>Faidherbia albida</i> leaf meal on growth performance and egg production of Institut de Sélection Animale (ISA) brown layer chickens raised under semi-arid conditions

Abstract

The negative impacts of a hot environment on the growth performance and egg production of layers have been managed using different substances  containing antioxidant properties. In this study, the antioxidant potential of Faidherbia albida leaf meal (FALM) at ameliorating heat stress in layer  chickens was investigated. A total of one hundred and eighty (180) eighteen-week-old brown layers from the Institut de Sélection Animale (ISA) were  randomly divided into four treatment groups. Four different FALM inclusion levels were incorporated: 0 (control), 5, 10, and 15% as T1, T2, T3, and T4,  respectively. Forty-five 18-week-old Point of Lay (POL) chickens were allotted to each of the treatments in three replicates (15 birds per replication). The  antioxidant effects of FALM on growth performance, egg production, and hen-day egg production of the chickens were tested. The results showed that  birds decreased in body weight and feed intake with increasing levels of FALM. However, birds fed 5% FALM had significant (P<0.05) body weight (1.51 kg),  decreased feed intake (0.75 kg/bird/week), and better feed conversion efficiency (2.9). Significantly (P<0.05) improved egg production and hen-day  egg production were recorded in all FALM-treated groups. As a result, Faidherbia albida leaf meal at a 5% inclusion level demonstrated antioxidant  activities in ISA brown layer chickens under semi-arid conditions.