Evaluation of incorporation of hydrolyzed Prosopis juliflora pods in indigenous chicken layers feed

In developing countries, cereals are the major source of human food and non-ruminant livestock feed. They are usually in short supply and their use in feed manufacture leads to increased prices. There has been much interest over recent years to explore alternative feedstuffs because of the challenges associated with reliance on conventional feed ingredients. Consequently, it is essential to explore alternative feed resources that are locally available and affordable. Prosopis juliflora pods are among the alternative feed resources identified and studied in Kenya. It is locally referred to as ‘Mathenge’and its pods have a Crude fiber (22%CF). The soluble fiber increases the viscosity of the intestinal digesta therefore making it difficult for the chyme to mix thoroughly with enzymes for purpose of digestion and absorption of nutrients. This is because of lack of indigenous non starch hydrolyzing enzymes in the gut of poultry. Non convectional feed resources like Prosopis juliflora pods can be used to feed livestock and reduce competition with humans on cereals and hence ensure a food security for animals. The objectives were to determine the nutrient composition of ‘mathenge’ compared to maize with emphasis on fiber, minerals and energy and also look at performance of layers based on feed intake and egg production of feeds compounded with up to 50% ‘mathenge’ substituting maize. Proximate analysis and gross energy determination was done at Egerton University while minerals were determined at Kenya agricultural and livestock research organization, Njoro. Enzymes at the rate of 720g/tonne of feed were used. The metabolizable energy and crude fiber was 15.54 MJ/kg DM and 3.52% for maize and 15.68 Mj/kg DM and 21.53% for prosopis juliflora pods. Feed containing 0, 20, 30, 40, and 50% prosopis juliflora pods substituting maize were offered to indigenous layer for twelve weeks. Feed intake was not significantly different for treatment one and two but different from treatment 3, 4, and 5. Egg production was not significantly different in all treatments. Utilization by management of Prosopis juliflora pods by making poultry feeds will reduce the invasion by the tree in arid and semi-arid areas.