Natural Feed to Improve the Production and Quality of Eggs in Egg Laying Hens

Overview

Our purpose is developing an ecologic product for feeding poultry (egg laying hens) with low cost and high quality results, using local weeds. Our feed includes a high protein content and at the same time it has, among its main components, a mixture of weed plants commonly known in Colombia as "Masequía" (Bidens pilosa), "Quiebrabarrigo" (Trichanthera gigantea), Cañahuate (Tabebuia chrysantha), "Confrey" (Symphytum officinale L.) and "Margaritón" (Tithonia diversifolia). The dry and pulverized leaves of these plants are mixed with a matrix based on molasses, eggshell and ground corn. The size of the eggs, the weight and the growth of poultry samples are measured in three groups of egg-laying hens, with differences in their basal diet, during a 30-day period. A significant difference in egg size with respect to the basal diet is observed in those samples fed with the natural feed. With this we can conclude that a more balanced feed, without the use of chemical additives, together with more profitable and sustainable results is reached. This means that better quality and larger eggs are obtained in poultry production, with an ecologic product which decreases the potential damage to ecosystems while taking advantage of native plants that are considered popularly weeds.

Competition history

• ISEF 2016 Biochemistry · Entry ANIM029T

Resources

• ISEF abstract page ↗

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