Agronomic evaluation of Stylosanthes guyanensis and its use in the diet of laying hens

Abstract

SummaryThe responses of Stylosanthes guyanensis (Stylo) to frequency and height of cutting and the effects of feeding increasing amounts of stylo meal on egg production, yolk vitamin A, yolk colour and percentage hatchability were studied. In the agronomic study, the higher the cutting height, the higher the total yield of dry matter, yield of crude protein, yield of carotene, percentage of crude fibre and the lower the carotene and crude-protein content. A highly significant correlation between the carotene content and crude-protein content (r = +0·91) was obtained.The addition of stylo meal as more than 10% of the feed significantly (P < 0·01) depressed egg production. On the other hand, yolk colour, yolk vitamin A status and percentage hatchability were significantly improved with the feeding of stylo meal.