Total substitution of leaf protein in the ration of laying hens

Laying birds of the Harco strain (crossbred sex-linked Brown Leghorn and Rhode Island Red) were fed rations in which leaf protein replaced 0, 25, 50, 75, and 100% of the soybean meal. These five rations were compared with a standard layer ration that contained fish meal and ground nut cake. The results show that 75% of the soybean meal in layer rations can be replaced by leaf protein without any significant effect in egg production and feed efficiency when compared with the performance of birds receiving fish meal in their diet. Use of leaf protein as the sole supplemental source of protein for the birds significantly (P less than .05) reduced feed intake and also resulted in production of very watery droppings by the birds. Feeding of leaf protein also significantly (P less than .01) increased yolk color score.