Energy values and effects of integral mesquite pods (Prosopis juliflora (Sw.) D.C.) meal inclusion in commercial laying hens diets

An experiment was carried out to determine TME and TMEn values of integral mesquite pods meal (MPM) in cecectomized cockerels by Sibbald method. A second experiment was conducted to examine the effects of MPM inclusion (0, 5, 10, 15, 20, 25 and 30%) in pelleted and mashed diets on laying hens performance. In the experiment 1, values of TME and TMEn in raw MPM were 2819 and 2806 kcal/kg, respectively, while cellulose and lignin contents were five- and four-fold higher than in corn. Results of experiment 2 showed that pelleting increased live weight, egg and albumen weight and percentage of albumen, and reduced yolk percentage. The 30% MPM level reduced egg and mass weights and affected feed to egg mass ratio when compared to control. There was quadratic effect of MPM levels (as main effect) on feed intake, egg production, egg mass, feed to egg mass ratio, and the percentages of shell, albumen and yolk. The MPM intake increased linearly according to their diet addition level. The inclusion of MPM up to 13.6% in isonitrogen and isoenergy diets did not adversely affect laying hens performance.

dietary fiber; laying hens; performance; energy values