Inclusion of Foliage Meal of Moringa oleifera Lamark in Free-Range Layer Diets. Impact on Bioproductive Behaviour
R Batista-Ramos1, L García-Delgado4, S Mireles-Flores4, C Olmo-González4, I Aguilera-Garces2, B López-Valoy2, D Verdecia-Acosta2, C Lemus-Flores3 and F Grageola-Nuñez3
1CCS José Martí Pérez, Sabanilla Barranca, Bayamo, Cuba
2Universidad de Granma-Carretera de Manazanillo Granma, Cuba
3Universidad Autónoma de Nayarit, Mexico
4Centro Universitario de Ciencias Biológico y Agropecuarias (CUCBA), Universidad de Guadalajara, Camino del Astillero, Zapopan, Jalisco, México
*Corresponding Author: F Grageola-Nuñez, Universidad Autónoma de Nayarit, Mexico.
Received:
August 29, 2025; Published: September 17, 2025
Abstract
In order to evaluate the inclusion of Moringa oleifera foliage meal (HFMO) in free-range layer diets and its impact on bio-productive indicators, a study was developed that considered 200 30-week-old k53 line hens housed in 2 m2 quarters (5 birds/m2), and distributed in a completely randomized design with five replications, with inclusion levels (0, 6, 8 and 10 %) being considered as treatments. The following variables were considered: Viability (%); Feed intake (kg); Live weight/bird (g); egg/bird (U); laying intensity (%); broken eggs (U), cracked eggs (U) and dirty eggs (U). To determine the indicators of external egg quality, the following variables were considered: egg weight (g), width (cm), egg equator with a caliper and egg length (cm) between the poles, shell thickness, porosity, and for internal quality, the variables height, yolk diameter and white (mm). Data were compared using the Duncan Twelfth for the comparison of means at a 95% confidence level. The consumption of HFMO showed differences between treatments (P≤0.05), increasing by 15.60 g/bird/day. In the live weight of the free-range layers there were no differences for p≥0.05; in initial measurements (2,200 and 2,198 g) at the end of the first week of evaluation; with discrete differences (2,202 and 2,199 g) after the experiment. Concluding that up to 8% showed the best results in the diet of layers without affecting bioproductive indicators; however, employment up to 10% is possible for non-specialized breeding.
Keywords: Alternative Feed; Productive Quality; Free-Range Layers
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