Abstract

A study was carried out to determine the effect of Moringa oleifera (MOP) and Curcuma longa (CUP) powder supplementations in feed on egg performances, quality and hatchability of small size local hens (Ac) from 23-37 weeks age. A total of 144 Ac local hens at the 22 weeks of age were randomly distributed in a completely randomized design experiment, with 3 treatments and 4 replicates, each replicate consisted of a pen with 10-12 hens and 2 cocks/pen. The experimental data was collected in two stage of laying including 7 weeks of early stage (23-29 weeks age) and 8 weeks of middle stage of laying (30-37 weeks age). Treatments used: (1) Control (Cont): Basal diet (B) without any supplement in the feed; (2) MOP: B + 1% Moringa oleifera powder in the diet; (3) CUP: B+ 1% Curcuma longa powder in the diet.

There was no effect on daily feed intake of hens by MOP or CUP supplementation in the diets (P>0.05). But, a little improvement hen day production (P*=44.8) compared to that in CUP (b^*=43.5) and control (b^*=42.1) groups. Supplementation of MOP (89.3 % and 88.6%) and CUP (88.7 % and 87.3%) increased fertile eggs and hatchability of fertile eggs compared with control hatching eggs (87.2% and 85.3%). As a result, there was higher total chicks and economic efficiency of supplemented hens to compare with control hens. In conclusion, Moringa oleifera and Curcuma longa powders supplemented in the diet at 1% tendency to improve the egg production, yellow color of egg yolk and hatchability to compare with control groups, and supplementation of MOP got highest total chicks and economic efficiency.

Keywords: Ac hen, Curcuma longa powder, hen- day production, hatchability, Moringa oleifera powder