Department of Animal Health and Production, Yobe College of Agriculture Gujba, P.M.B. 1104, Damaturu, Nigeria; Department of Animal Health and Production, Mohamet Lawan College of Agriculture, P.M.B. 1427, Maiduguri, Nigeria
Diarra, S.S., Department of Animal Health and Production, Yobe College of Agriculture Gujba, P.M.B. 1104, Damaturu, Nigeria; Usman, B.A., Department of Animal Health and Production, Mohamet Lawan College of Agriculture, P.M.B. 1427, Maiduguri, Nigeria
In a 12 week experiment the effect of graded levels of soaked sesame seed meal (SSM) as a source of methionine on the performance of laying hens was investigated. In a completely randomized design, 200 black Australorp pullets aged 20 weeks were allotted to 5 isonitrogenous diets with 4 replicates of 10 birds per diet. Sesame seed meal (SSM) replaced soyabean meal (SBM) weight for weight at 0.00, 12.50, 37.50 and 50.00% in diet 1 (control), 2, 3, 4 and 5 respectively. The control diet contained synthetic methionine which was removed with the introduction of SSM in the other diets. The results showed a significant (P<0.05) reduction in the hen-day egg production above 25.00% and egg weight above 12.50% levels of replacement. Shell quality was not affected by dietary treatment. Feed cost (N/egg) was significantly (P<0.05) reduced on the 12.50% replacement compared to the 37.50%. There was no treatment effect (P>0.05) on the while blood cell count, but packed cell volume was significantly (P<0.05) lowered on the 50.00% and haemoglobin concentration, serum protein, albumin and globulin above 12.50% levels of replacement. These results suggest that replacing SBM with SSM at 12.50% in the diet of laying hens will meet their methionine requirement without adverse effects on performance and health status. © Asian Network for Scientific Information, 2008.
