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Livestock-Based Farming Systems, Renewable Resources and the Environment |
Two experiments were conducted to determine the effect of mung bean (Phaseolus aureus) hull (MBH) in maize based diets for pre-laying and laying period of hens. In experiment 1, 270 Ri x Luong Phuong hens with 10 weeks old were randomly assigned in completely randomly design to receive three dietary treatments; 2650 kcal/kg ME (0% MBH) as control, 2550 kcal/kg ME (14% MBH) and 2450 kcal/kg ME (18% MBH).
It was showed that body weight of birds from 10 to 17 weeks old was non-significant (P>0.05) different among treatments, but it was significantly reduced (P<0.05) at 18 to 20 weeks old when birds fed diets containing 18% and following by 14% MBH. Cost of feed was lowest in diets containing 18% and following by 14% MBH. After 20 weeks old, all birds from experiment 1 were submitted to the laying period. Three dietary treatments with ME at 2700, 2600 and 2500 kcal/kg of 0, 14 and 18% MBH, respectively were offered to laying hens. Age at sexual maturity was similar among treatments. FCR, laying rate, egg production and external and internal egg quality indices were not significantly (P>0.05) altered by the varying dietary energy levels or MBH supplementation. However, laying rate and egg production was slightly higher (P>0.05) when birds fed diets containing both 18 and 14% MBH. Feed cost used in laying period was lower in MBH supplementation diets. Based on this study it could be concluded that under tropical conditions, layers do not need diets with higher energy density. In other words, mung bean hull could be utilized as high cost feeds replacement for layers.