REPRODUCTIVE RESPONSE TO INCLUSION OF GRADED LEVELS OF Ipomoea purpurea LEAF MEAL MORNING GLORY) IN DIETS OF LAYING CHICKENS

Abstract

Reproductive responses of laying birds fed Ipomea purpurea leaf meal (IPML) were investigated. A
total of 40, 25-weeks old birds grouped into four treatments of 0, 2.5, 5.0 and 7.5% inclusion levels of
IPML were used for this experiment in a completely randomized design layout. The birds were artifi-
cially inseminated with semen from cockerels on controlled diet thrice in a week. A total of 400 eggs
were collected and set in an incubator. There were no significant differences (p>0.05) in Hen day pro-
duction, feed/dozen eggs and the egg characteristics investigated. The blood glucose levels signifi-
cantly decreased (p<0.05) while level of progesterone significantly increased (p<0.05) with increase in
level of IPLM inclusion. The percentages of fertility and hatchability were high while the survivability
was 100%. It can be concluded that IPLM inclusion level of up to 7.50% supports high fertility, hatcha-
bility and survivability and could be used in breeder diets for the production of fertile eggs.