Utilisation of locust bean (Parkia biglobosa) pulp as a natural egg quality enhancer in laying hens

This study was carried out to improve commercial egg production using parkia pulp which is usually washed off during the processing of parkia seed into spice. A total of 54 Hyline brown Agrited brand pullets were randomly allotted to 3 treatments, 6 birds per replicate. Parkia pulp was included in the birds’ drink (0%, 1%, and 2% parkia pulp) from 08:00 h to 10:00 h followed by clean cool water daily from day 147 to day 245 (early egg production phase). At day 420 to 448 (late egg production phase) conventional multivitamins, 1% and 2% parkia pulp were included in drinking water for 3 days in a week 08:00 h to 17:00 h. Data on the growth of birds, egg production, and egg internal and external quality were measured and analysed using ANOVA at p < 0.05. The weight of birds in the early egg production phase was directly proportional to the quantity of parkia pulp included in the parkia pulp drink. The number of eggs produced per bird (64.85) was significantly higher from the birds on 1% parkia pulp drink, whereas from the egg quality indicators, egg weight (65.03 g), length (56.15 mm), shell weight (8.06 g), and albumen weight (41.75 g) were all significantly higher at 2% inclusion level of parkia pulp drink in the early stage of egg production. In the late phase there was no significant difference among the treatments in the internal and external egg qualities but the weight of birds on parkia drink was high at p ≤ 0.05. The results of our study show that parkia pulp inclusion in commercial laying hen drink enhances the quality and quantity of egg production.