Effects of Different Levels of Alfalfa Leaves Meal With Xylam on Poultry Performance and Cholesterol Content

Abstract

Abstract Three experiments were designed to evaluate the effect of three different levels (2%, 5% and 7%) of an open air sun-dried alfalfa leavess meal with or without 0.005 Xylam (ALM+X or ALM) on performance of broiler chicks (Hubbard) and layer hens (white Hi-sex) as well as egg quality and cholesterol levels of egg yolk and broiler blood serum. In the first experiment: Three hundreds thirty six of one day old broiler chicks fed on seven experimental diets for broiler (starter and finisher), the first diet T1 (control) without ALM and without Xylam, the next three diets T2, T3 and T4 with 2%, 5% or 7%ALM,_respectively, the last three diets T5, T6 and T7 with 2%,5% and 7%ALM+X, respectively. The diets formulated as recommended by NRC, (1994). Each treatment consist of 4 replicates with 12 one day old broiler chicks per replicate. Broiler chicks were randomly distributed to be reared for 6 weeks in the floor of open- side house. During the 1“ week broilers were fed on pre-starter diets. The results during the starter period (8-28 day old) showed high significant differences (p<0.01) between treatments in feed intake, the highest achieved by T7(fed on diet with7% ALM+X), the lowest achieved by T2(fed on diet with2% ALM), there only significant differences T7 and T1(control). No significant differences between T5, T6 andT7, but significant differences between T2, T3 and T4, chicks fed T2 showed the lowest fed intake. The results during the finisher period (29-42 day old) showed significant differences (p<0.05) between treatments in feed intake, the highest achieved by T4. No significant differences between T5, T6 and T7. But significant differences between T2, T3 and T4.

The results at the end of the starter period (28 day old)showed high significant differences (p<0.01) between treatments in live body weight, the heaviest achieved by T5 chicks, the lightest achieved by T2 chicks. The results at the end of the finisher period (42 day old) showed high significant differences (p<0.01) between treatments in live body weight , the heaviest achieved by T4 chicks, the lightest achieved by T2 chicks. The results of the starter period showed high significant differences (p<0.0l) between treatments in feed conversion ratio, the best feed conversion ratio achieved by T5 chicks, the worst‘ achieved by T3 chicks. The results of the finisher period showed no significant differences (p<0.05) between treatments in feed conversion ratio. The results of cholesterol levels in broilers blood serum showed significant differences (p<0.05) between treatments, the lowest results achieved by T1(control) chicks, the highest results achieved by T7 chicks In the second experiment: Forty eight hens at point of lay ( about 20 week old) were utilized for 8 weeks. They were randomly distributed into 4 groups. Each group (consider as treatment ) contain 4 replicate with 3 hens each. The 4 treatments fed on 4 diets. D1(control), D2, D3 and D4 with 0.0%, 2%, 5% and 7% ALM, respectively. The diets fonnulated as recommended by NRC,(1994). Layer hens were randomly distributed into replicates inside 2 batteries consist of 10 cages each. Each cage considered as a replicate. Batteries were kept inside open-side house. The house were equipped with 2 water pumping ear conditioners. Comparing with control hens the results indicated that eggs yolk colour score gradually and significantly increased with hens fed on D2, D3 and D4, respectively. Egg yolk cholesterol significantly reduced with hens fed on D4 and numerically reduced with hens fed on D2 or D3. Egg yolk

index significantly increased with hens fed on D2 only at the end of the 6m week. But, egg Weight significantly reduced with hens fed D4 during the 3'“ week up to the 8"‘ week, hen-day egg production % significantly reduced with hens fed D4 during the 4m Week up to the 6m week, feed conversion ratio significantly reduced with hens fed D4 during the 5“‘ week up to the 7m week. Feed intake and egg shape index were not significantly affected. In the third experiment: Forty eight hens at point of lay ( about 20 week old) were utilized for 8 weeks. They were randomly distributed into 4 groups. Each group (consider as treatment ) contain 4 replicate with 3 hens each. The 4 treatments fed on 4 diets. D1(control), D2, D3 and D4 with 0.0%,2%,5% and 7% ALM+X, respectively. The diets formulated as recommended by NRC,(l994). Layer hens were randomly distributed into replicated inside 2 batteries consist of 10 cages each. Each cage considered as a replicate. Batteries were kept inside open-side house. The house were equipped with 2 water pumping ear conditioners. Comparing with control hens the results indicated that eggs yolk colour score gradually and significantly increased with hens fed on D2, D3 and D4, respectively. Egg yolk cholesterol significantly reduced with hens fed on D2 and D4 and numerically reduced with hens fed on D3. Egg yolk index significantly increased with hens fed on D2, D3 at the end of the 2“d week and with hens fed on D2, D3 and D4 at the end of the 8”‘ week. On the other hand, egg weight significantly reduced with hens fed on D2 during the 2nd week, feed conversion ration significantly and negatively affected with hens fed On D2 during the 3"’ week. Feed intake, hen-day egg production% and egg shape index were not significantly affected during the whole experimental period.