East African Journal of Sciences (2019) Volume 13 (1) 65-74 ______________________________________________________________ Licensed under a Creative Commons *Corresponding Author. E-mail: ngusufekade@gmail.com Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0 International License. ©Haramaya University, 2019 ISSN 1993-8195 (Online), ISSN 1992-0407(Print) Effects of Replacing Maize with Kocho in White Leghorn Layers Ration on Egg Production, Egg and Chick Quality, Fertility and Hatchability Nigussu Fekade1*, Mengistu Urge2, Ajebu Nurfeta3, and Getachew Animut4 1Department of Animal Sciences, Assosa University, P. O. Box 18, Assosa, Ethiopia 2School of Animal and Range Sciences, Haramaya University, P.O. Box 138, Dire-Dawa, Ethiopia 3School of Animal and Range Sciences, Hawassa University, P.O. Box 5, Hawassa, Ethiopia 4Agricultural Transformation Agency, P.O.Box 708, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia Abstract: One hundred and eighty 26-week old white leghorn layers were used to evaluate the effect of replacing maize with kocho on egg production, egg and chick quality as well as fertility and hatchability. The layers were fed with ration containing kocho at the levels of 0% (T1), 33% (T2), 67% (T3) and 100% (T4) replacing white maize grain in the ration. The experiment was arranged in a completely randomized design with four treatments, each replicated three times with 15 birds each. The experiment lasted 12 weeks. Hens were weighed at the start and end of the experiment. Data on dry matter intake, hen day egg production (HDEP), egg weight and egg mass were recorded daily. Egg quality parameters (egg shell weight and thickness, albumen weight and height, Haugh unit and yolk weight as well as color) were determined at the interval of 7 days on 4 eggs per replicate. Kocho contained 3663 kcal/kg DM, 3.8% CP, 2.5% ether extract, 2.3% crude fiber and 1.5μg/100g beta-carotene. Highly significant (P<0.05) dry matter intake (140.2, 136.9, 133.4 and 152.4 g for T1, T2, T3 and T4). Respectively, and average daily gains (1.93, 2.02, 1.91, 1.96 g) were recorded for T4. Egg mass, egg weight and feed conversion ratios were statistically similar (P>0.05) among treatments. HDEP for T3 (53.83 %) and T4 (53.62%) was similar and significantly (P < 0.05) higher than T1 (40.54%) and T2 (43.19%). Egg quality characteristics, except yolk color were similar (P > 0.05) among treatments. Yolk color was higher (P < 0.05) for T1 compared with T3 and T4. Percent hatchability on fertile egg bases for T4 was significantly (P<0.05) lower than the remaining treatments while T2 and T3 were similar. Mid embryonic mortality was significantly (P < 0.05) higher for T4 compared to the rest of the treatments but T2 and T3 had similar values. The lowest (P < 0.05) late embryonic mortality was recorded for T1. Fertility, early and pipe embryonic mortalities, chick weight, chick length and yield percentage were similar (P > 0.05) among treatments. The partial budget analysis indicated that replacement of maize with 67% (T3) kocho gave a higher net return. Therefore, kocho can replace maize in layers ration when there is scarcity of maize in enset growing areas of Ethiopia. Keywords: Egg production; Fertility; Hatchability; Kocho, Layers 1. Introduction Poultry production plays an important role in Ethiopia’s economy. It renders a significant contribution to household income and food security particularly in providing animal protein to the people (Gondwe, 2004). However, the productivity per unit of bird and the contribution of this sector to the national economy is relatively low in Ethiopia. Feed scarcity and consequent high price of conventional energy and protein sources are factors that limit the productivity of poultry in Ethiopia (Aberra et al., 2011). Compared to other animals, feed resources for commercial poultry production are grains of good quality, which also are used as human food. This put the sector in a direct competition for grains which leads to increased cost of poultry production (Gura, 2008). Ethiopia is endowed with diverse agro-climatic conditions favoring production of many different kinds of crops, providing a wide range of alternative feedstuffs suitable for poultry feeding (Tadelle et al., 2002). One of such crop is enset (Ensete ventricosum). Ensete ventricosum (Welw.) (Cheesman, Musaceae) is a monocarpic short-lived perennial plant which is cultivated in the central, south and south-western parts of Ethiopia, where an estimated 35% of the total population of Ethiopia lives and the plant is used as one of the staple food in these areas (CSA, 2014). The pseudo-stem, corm and the stalk of inflorescence constitute the most important components of enset (Adugna, 2008). Over 70% of the enset plant is composed of pseudostem and corm (Ajebu et al., 2008). The major food products obtained from the enset plant are kocho, bulla and amicho. Kocho is bulky, fermented starch, made from a mixture of the decorticated pseudostem and grated root fermented with yeast, in a traditionally dug out pit (Admasu, 2002). As indicated by Tsegaye (2001) kocho has high carbohydrate (96%) the content even more than maize (83%). According to Admasu (2002) kocho yield of enset per unit of space and time, in terms of edible dry weight and energy was much higher than the yields of any other crops cultivated in Ethiopia. Kocho could be produced throughout the year and hence is available year round unlike that of maize and it can be stored for a long period of time without spoiling. Earlier work shows that substitution of maize with kocho up to 100% resulted in similar dry matter intake, average daily gain, and carcass yield of Hubbard broiler chicks (Ajebu et al., 2015) and could be used as an alternative ingredient to replace maize in the diet of sheep (Ajebu et al., 2012). However, there is scarcity of information regarding the effect of feeding kocho mailto:ngusufekade@gmail.com Nigussu et al. East African Journal of Sciences Volume 13 (1) 65-74 66 on performance and egg quality of layer chickens. Therefore, the present experiment was conducted to evaluate the effect of replacing kocho for maize on egg production, egg and chick quality, fertility and hatchability of white leghorn layers. 2. Materials and Methods 2.1. Description of the Study Area The experiment was conducted at Haramaya University poultry farm, located at 42° 3’ east longitude, 9° 26’ north latitude, at an altitude of 2006 meters above sea level. The mean annual rainfall of the area was reported to be 780 mm and the average minimum and maximum temperature are 8 and 24°C, respectively (Samuel, 2008). 2.2. Experimental Feeds Preparation Enset plants of age 4-6 years of “Ashakti” variety were bought from farmers in Daryan kebele, South west Shewa zone, Oromia Regional State, Ethiopia. The pseudo-stem and corm were pulverized with a long wooden (bamboo) pestle and pound into a pulp from which the fibers were removed. The remaining scrapings, the pulp, and the inner core were kneaded together, rolled into balls, and wrapped in a fresh enset leaves. The leaf packages with fresh enset mash were packed into a pit in the ground that has been completely lined with leaves and left to ferment for fifteen days (Asres and Omprakash, 2014). The fibre of wet kocho was separated by hand. Then the wet kocho was spread over plastic sheet to sundry until it becomes safe for storage. Feed ingredients used to formulate the rations for the study were kocho, maize grain, wheat short, soybean meal, noug seed cake, salt, vitamin premix and dicalcium phosphate (Table 1). Maize, noug seed cake and salt were ground at Haramaya University feed mill to pass through 5mm sieve before mixing to formulate the rations. The feed ingredients used for the experiment (except kocho) were purchased from local market. The treatment rations used in the present study were formulated to be nearly isocaloric and isonitrogenous with 2800 kcal ME/kg DM and 16.0% CP to meet the nutrient requirements of layers (Leeson and Summers, 2005). Kocho was included into the treatment ration to replace 0, 33, 67, and 100% of maize for T1, T2, T3 and T4, respectively. Table 1. Proportion of the feed ingredients used in formulating layers rations. Ingredients Treatments T1 T2 T3 T4 Maize 43.5 29 14.5 0 Kocho 0 14.5 29 43.5 Wheat short 17 17 13 10 Noug cake 17 17 17 17 Soybean meal 14 14 18 21 Vitamin premix* 1 1 1 1 Salt 0.5 0.5 0.5 0.5 Lime stone 6.5 6.5 6.5 6.5 Dicalcium phosphate 0.5 0.5 0.5 0.5 Total 100 100 100 100 Note: T1 = 0% kocho; T2 = 33% kocho; T3 = 67% kocho; T4 = 100% kocho as replacement to maize; *Vitamin premix 50 kg contains, Vit A = 2000000iu, Vit D3 = 400000 iu, Vit E = 10000 mg, Vit K3 = 300 mg, Vit B1 = 150 mg, Vit B2 = 1000 mg, Vit B3 = 2000 mg, Vit B6 = 500 mg, Vit B12 = 4 mg, Vitpp = 60000 mg, Folic acid = 160 mg, Choline chloride = 30000 mg, Anti-oxidant = 500 gm, Manganese = 10000 mg, Zinc = 14000 mg, Iron = 9000 mg, Copper = 1000 mg, Iodine= 200 mg, Selenium = 80 mg, Calcium = 28.2%. 2.3. Experimental Animals Management and Experimental Design A total of 180 white leg horn pullets with body weight of 1.13±0.06kg (Mean±SD) and age of 26 weeks were used for the experiment. Pullets used in the study were obtained from Haramaya University poultry farm. Pullets were grown with feed containing 20% CP and 2800kcal/kg DM ME during starter phase and 16% CP and 2700kcal/kg DM ME during the grower phase. Before placing the pullets into the experiment house, the experimental pens, watering and feeding troughs and laying nests were thoroughly cleaned, disinfected and sprayed against external parasites. The floor of the pens was covered with disinfected sawdust. The pullets were vaccinated against Newcastle, Gumburo and Fowl Typhoid diseases using appropriate vaccine according to the manufacturer’s recommendation. Vitamins were given as vitamin premix mixed in the diet. Each pen was equipped with individual laying nests, covered with saw dust. The wet litter was changed with dry, disinfected and clean sawdust whenever required. The birds were randomly allocated to four dietary treatment groups in a CRD design. Each treatment has three replicates comprising 15 pullets and 2 cocks per replicate. Each pen has a 2 x 2.4m wire mesh partitioned pens. Twenty four cocks were randomly and equally distributed to each replication. During the twelve weeks period of the study, the birds were subjected to similar managerial and sanitary conditions. 2.4. Feed intake and Laying Performance of Hens Feed was offered ad libitum with 10% refusal twice per day at 0800 and 1700hours and clean tap water was available all the time. The amount of feed offered and refused per pen was recorded daily, and the amount consumed was determined as the difference between the two. Feed offered and refused were sampled daily per pen and pooled per treatment for the entire experimental period for chemical analysis. Hens were individually weighed at the start and end of the experiment and body weight change was calculated as the difference of the two weights. Eggs laid in a pen were collected three times a day at 0800, 1300 and 1700hours. Eggs collected daily were weighed immediately after collection for each pen and average egg weight was computed by dividing the total egg weight to the number of eggs. Egg mass per hen was calculated as total egg weight divided by number of hens. Hen-day egg production was determined according to Hunton (1995). Feed conversion ratio was calculated as gram of eggs produced per gram of feed consumed. 2.5. Egg Quality Characteristics Egg quality parameters, such as egg shell weight, egg shell thickness, albumen weight, albumen height, egg yolk weight and egg yolk color were determined at an interval of 7 days on freshly laid 4 eggs per replicate after breaking and separating each of the components. Egg shell, albumen and yolk weights were measured using sensitive balance. Albumen and yolk Nigussu et al. Replacing Maize with Kocho in White leghorn Layers Ration 67 height were measured with a tripod micrometer. Egg shell thickness was measured by eggshell thickness micrometer gauge. Measurements of egg shell thickness were taken from three regions (large end, small end and on the equator region of the eggshell) and the average value was taken. Yolk color was determined by comparing the color of properly mixed yolk sample placed on white paper with the color strips of Roche fan measurement, which consist 1-15 strips ranging from pale to orange yellow color. Haugh unit was calculated from the egg weight and albumen height using the formula suggested by Haugh (1937). Egg and yolk shape indexes were computed according to Penda (1996). 2.6. Fertility, hatchability and chick quality The eggs for incubation were collected towards the end of the study and stored for 7 days at a 10-14oC. Good shape, clean shell, no cracks, medium or average sized eggs (50 eggs for each replication) were selected and used for incubation. The eggs were candled on the 9th day of incubation for the determination of percentage fertility. Average percentage hatchability of the fertile eggs was computed by dividing the number of chicks hatched by the number of fertile eggs. Early, mid, late and pipe embryonic mortalities were determined from the incubated eggs at 9th, 14th, 18th and on the last days of incubation, respectively by breaking all unhatched eggs with respective replicate using the method of Bonnier and Kasper (1990). Chick quality was determined according to Molenaar et al. (2009) and chick length was determined according to the method of Meijerhof (2005). Chick weight at hatching was determined by weighing the chick after 12 hours of hatching (Molenaar et al., 2009). Yield percentage evaluates the weight loss during incubation and was calculated as the percentage of average chick weight to average initial weight of egg set (Molenaar et al., 2009). 2.7. Economic Evaluation Partial budget analysis developed by Upton (1979) was applied to estimate the economic benefits of each treatment ration. Market price of each feed ingredients were registered at the time of purchase and feed consumed by birds were multiplied by the cost of the ingredient. Total Return (TR) was calculated as a total egg produced multiplied by price of egg at Haramaya University during the experiment period. Net return (NR) = TR-TVC (Total Variable Cost, in this case feed cost). Change in total variable cost (∆TVC) was calculated as total feed cost of treatments containing kocho (termed as experimental ration) minus total feed cost of treatments without kocho (control). The change in TR (∆TR) was calculated as the difference between total incomes from the respective experimental treatments minus total income of the control. Change in NR (∆NR) was calculated as NR of the respective experimental treatments minus NR of the control experiment. The marginal rate of return (MRR) measures ∆NR associated with each additional units of expenditure (∆TVC). It is calculated as: MRR = ∆NR/∆TVC. 2.8. Feed Chemical Analysis Dried feed samples were milled to pass through 1 mm screen for chemical analysis. Samples were analyzed for dry matter, crude protein, ether extract, crude fibre and ash following the proximate method of analysis (AOAC, 1990). Calcium and total phosphorus content was analyzed by atomic absorption and vanado-molybdate method, respectively (AOAC, 1990) and beta-carotene content of kocho was determined by spectrophotometer (AOAC, 1998). Metabolisable energy (ME) content of the experimental diets was calculated by indirect method from the equation proposed by Wiseman (1987) as follows: ME (Kcal/kg DM) = 3951 + 54.4EE - 88.7CF - 40.8 ash. 2.9. Statistical Analysis Data was analyzed using the general linear model procedure of Statistical Analysis Systems software (SAS, 2009). Differences between treatment means were separated using Tukey Kuramer Test. The following model was used for data analysis. Yij = μ + Ti + eij, Where: Yij = represents the jth observation in the ith treatment level, μ = over all mean, Ti = treatment effect and eij = random error. The effect was considered significant at P< 0.05. 3. Results 3.1. Chemical composition of the feeds The CP content of kocho was the lowest compared with other ingredients (Table 2). The ME content of kocho was higher than other ingredients, except maize grain which had almost similar value. Phosphorus content of kocho was lower than any other ingredients used to formulate treatment diets. Table 2. Chemical composition (% DM) of the feed ingredients and treatment diets. Note: DM= Dry matter; CP= Crude protein; EE= Ether extract; CF= Crude fibre; T1 = 0% kocho; T2 = 33% kocho; T3 = 67% kocho; T4 = 100% kocho as replacement to maize; Ca = calcium; P = phosphorous; ME =Metabolizable energy (kcal/kg DM); ND=Not Determined Ingredients and treatments DM (%) Ash CP EE CF ME Ca P Beta-carotene (µg/100 g) Kocho 86.3 5.8 3.8 2.5 2.3 3647 0.5 0.06 1.5 Maize 92.4 3.2 9.3 3.9 3.8 3657 0.1 0.30 ND Wheat short 91.8 4.6 15.7 3.3 7.8 2664 0.1 0.30 ND Noug cake 92.7 13.0 31.8 8.2 15.2 2518 0.3 0.60 ND Soyabean meal 91.9 6.1 44.7 4.9 12.6 2660 0.3 0.70 ND T1 92.8 15.8 16.5 3.6 6.9 2893 2.09 0.35 ND T2 91.8 16.9 16.9 3.9 7.3 2827 2.12 0.33 ND T3 91.7 17.0 16.9 4.0 7.4 2820 2.22 0.37 ND T4 89.6 13.3 15.8 4.4 8.8 2868 2.23 0.31 ND Nigussu et al. East African Journal of Sciences Volume 13 (1) 65-74 68 Table 3. Dry matter intake, body weight change and egg laying performance of white leghorn hens fed kocho as a replacement to maize. Variables Treatments SEM P value T1 T2 T3 T4 DM intake (g/hen/d) 130.1b 125.7b 122.3b 136.5a 3.49 0.001 Initial body weight (kg) 1.15 1.09 1.14 1.14 0.01 0.342 Final body weight (kg) 1.31 1.26 1.30 1.30 0.05 0.246 Body weight gain (g/hen/day) 1.93 2.02 1.91 1.96 0.10 0.640 Hen-day egg production (%) 40.54b 43.19b 53.83a 53.62a 1.88 0.027 Egg mass (g/hen/day) 15.15 15.65 20.73 22.21 0.74 0.054 Egg weight (g) 51.13 51.42 51.36 52.12 0.38 0.627 FCR (g feed DM/g egg) 3.04 2.76 2.71 2.72 0.04 0.442 Mortality rate (%) 7.89 - - - Note: a,b Means within a row with different superscripts differ (p<0.05); T1 = 0% kocho; T2 = 33% kocho; T3 = 67% kocho; T4 = 100% kocho as replacement to maize; DM=dry matter; SEM = Standard error of the mean; FCR= Feed conversion ratio replacement to maize. Table 4: Egg quality characteristics of White leghorn hens fed kocho as a replacement to maize Egg quality parameters Treatment SEM P value T1 T2 T3 T4 Sample egg weight (g) 51.1 51.8 51.42 51.12 0.41 0.558 Egg length (mm) 54.4 54.4 54.5 55.5 0.02 0.449 Egg width (mm) 41.7 40.7 40.4 40.1 0.61 0.099 Egg shape index 73.82 74.73 74.00 72.40 11.35 0.830 Egg shell weight (g) 6.04 5.92 5.95 5.63 0.07 0.235 Egg shell thickness (mm) 0.322 0.301 0.294 0.293 0.00 0.115 Egg albumen weight (g) 29.78 30.91 30.55 30.07 0.27 0.537 Albumen height (mm) 8.06 8.40 8.18 8.12 0.13 0.857 Haugh unit 91.50 93.02 92.14 92.01 0.74 0.932 Egg yolk weight (g) 15.31 15.03 14.92 14.42 0.15 0.178 Egg yolk height (µm) 15.23 15.10 15.04 13.99 0.22 0.165 Egg yolk diameter (mm) 4.79 4.81 4.84 4.92 0.31 0.321 Egg yolk index 0.32 0.32 0.31 0.30 0.22 0.345 Yolk color (RSP*) 3.97a 3.75ab 3.55b 3.08c 0.09 0.003 Note: a,b,c Means within a row with different superscripts differ (p<0.05); T1 = 0% kocho; T2 = 33% kocho; T3 = 67% kocho; T4 = 100% kocho as replacement to maize ; *RSP = Roche scale points; SEM = Standard error of mean Table 5: Fertility, hatchability and chick quality characteristics of White leghorn hens fed kocho as a replacement for maize. Parameters Treatments SEM P value T1 T2 T3 T4 Fertility (%) 99.73 99.35 97.93 97.98 0.43 0.674 Hatchability on fertile egg bases (%) 84.66a 76.97b 72.22b 66.96c 2.37 0.036 Early Embryonic mortality (%) 2.91 2.92 4.11 6.63 0.80 0.458 Mid Embryonic mortality (%) 3.46c 5.22b 5.51b 7.47a 0.53 0.030 Late Embryonic mortality (%) 4.21b 4.62b 9.71a 11.51a 1.10 0.008 Pipe Embryonic mortality (%) 5.63 9.53 8.89 7.97 1.10 0.678 Chick weight (gm) 33.70 33.87 32.56 33.60 0.34 0.571 Yield percentage 52.90 49.73 42.79 41.57 1.88 0.068 Chick length (cm)and 15.08 14.78 14.50 14.75 0.12 0.412 Note: a,b,c Means within a row with different superscripts differ (p<0.05); T1 = 0% kocho; T2= 33% kocho; T3 = 67% kocho; T4 = 100% kocho as replacement to maize; SEM = standard error of mean. 3.2. Feed intake and Laying Performance of Hens The DM intake and body weight gain of hens fed T4 diets were higher (P<0.05) than other treatments while hens consumed T1, T2 and T3 diets did not differ in (P>0.05) DM intake and body weight gain (Table 3). Hen-day egg production for T3 and T4 was higher (P<0.05) than those Nigussu et al. Replacing Maize with Kocho in White leghorn Layers Ration 69 fed T1 and T2 diets. Egg mass and egg weight were similar (P>0.05) among treatments. Lower feed conversion ratio was observed for layers on T3 and T4 than on control diet while layers fed T2 had similar value with T3 and T4 diets. 3.3. Egg Quality Characteristics Egg quality characteristics, except yolk color were similar (p>0.05) among treatments (Table 4). Yolk color was in the order of T1 > T3 > T4 (p<0.05), while the value for T2 was similar with T1 and T3 but was higher than T4. Table 6: Economics of feeding kocho to White leghorn as replacement to maize. Treatments Total cost T1 T2 T3 T4 Total feed consumed/ head (kg) 11.7 11.5 11.2 12.8 Total feed cost/head (Birr) 66.5 69.1 67.8 73.0 Total Variable Cost (feed cost) (Birr) 66.5 69.1 67.8 73.0 ∆TVC (Birr) 2.6 1.3 6.5 Total revenue Total number of egg produced/hen 35.0 39.0 41.0 40.0 Total Return (TR)(Birr) 87.5 97.5 102.5 100.0 ∆TR (Birr) - 10.0 15.0 12.5 Net Return( NR) (Birr) 21.0 28.4 34.7 27.0 ∆NR (Birr) - 7.4 13.7 6.0 MRR (%) - 2.8 10.5 0.9 Note: ∆TVC = Change in Total Variable Cost; ∆TR= Change in Total Return; NR=Net Return; ∆NR=Change in Net Return; MRR = Marginal Rate of Return; Birr= Ethiopia’s unit of currency: US $ 1.00= Birr 22.00; Egg sale = 2.5 birr/egg; T1 = 0% kocho; T2 = 33% kocho; T3 = 67% kocho; T4 = 100% kocho as replacement to maize 4. Discussion 4.1. Chemical Composition of Feeds The CP content of kocho (3.8%) in the present study was higher than the values (2.7%, 2.6%, 1.8% and 1.5%) reported by Ajebu et al. (2012) for different varieties of kocho. Higher CP (4.76%) content of kocho was reported by Melese (2013) compared with the current experiment. The pseudo stem of 3-selected enset varieties on average was reported to have 7.2 (%CP) (Fekadu and Ledin, 1997). The difference in CP content may be due to difference in enset varieties from which kocho is produced. Ajebu et al. (2008) observed varietal difference in CP content of unprocessed corm and pseudostem from which kocho is produced. Melese (2013) noted fermentation time as a factor to increase the CP content of kocho. The ME content for kocho noted in the present study is lower than the values of 3800 kcal/kg DM reported by Tsegaye (2001) but higher than the 2111kcal/kg DM reported by Tilahun et al. (2004). Mohammed et al. (2013) also reported 3437 and 3379kcal/kg DM for unprocessed corm and pseudostem, respectively. The CF content (2.3%) of kocho is low as compared to the unprocessed corm (5.65%) and pseudostem (7.51%) reported by Mohammed et al. (2013) but within the range of 1.47-4.42% reported by Melese (2013) for different enset varieties. Method of processing might have been contributed to the relatively low CF content of kocho. The relatively low level of CF in kocho and high level of ME is indicative of its potential as a diary ingredient in layers ration. Beta-carotene content of kocho (1.5µg/100g) is lower as compared to feed ingredients known for good beta-carotene content such as golden whole kernel and yellow corn which contains about 15.7 and 52.22 μg/100 g, respectively (Scott and Eldridge, 2005). The CP contents of the treatment diets are within the recommended values (14-19%) suggested by NRC (1994) for high producing layer hens. The ME content of treatment diets were between 2820 to 2893 kcal/kg DM which were higher than the minimum values of ME requirement (2700 kcal/kg DM) recommended by NRC (1994) for white leghorn layer. The calcium (2.09-2.23g) and phosphorous (0.31- 0.37g) contents of treatment diets were near to the recommended values (2.0 gCa and 0.32 gP) for white leghorn layers at first phase of laying (NRC, 1994). 4.2. Feed intake and Laying Performance of Hens There is no information in literature on feed intake, egg production, egg and chick quality, fertility and hatchability in layers fed ration containing kocho. Therefore, most of the comparisons were made with other energy sources and root crops used in poultry ration as a replacement for maize. In the present experiment, 100% kocho inclusion in the ration significantly increased DM intake of white leg horn layers. In agreement with the present study, Hossain et al. (2013) and Ngiki et al. (2014) reported increased feed intake with increasing level of cassava root meal as a substitute for maize. However, Anaeto and Adighibe (2015) reported reduction in feed intake with complete replacement of maize with cassava root meal. On the other hand, similar dry matter intake was reported by Ajebu et al. (2015) for Hubbard broiler chickens fed 0%, 33%, 67% and 100% kocho diets and Seyoum (2013) for those fed 0%, 33.3%, 66.7% and 100% furfurame, a by-product of kocho processing produced from enset, as a replacement to Nigussu et al. East African Journal of Sciences Volume 13 (1) 65-74 70 maize. The higher feed intake of layers at 100% kocho diet in the current experiment may be attributed to the composition of the diet as the lysine content was relatively high because of increased levels of soyabean in the ration (Table 1). The higher HDEP for layers fed on T3 and T4 in the current experiment could be due to the higher lysine content (5.5%) in kocho (Mohammed et al., 2013) than maize (0.2%) (Leeson and Summers, 2008). The positive effect of lysine in the diet on egg production has been reported (Wu, 2013). Enyenihi et al. (2009) reported a higher HDEP when 75% cassava tuber meal replaced the maize in the ration. Inclusion of sweet potato meal up to 20% as a replacement for maize increased HDEP as compared to 30% and 40% diets in white leghorn layers (Afolayan et al., 2013), which could be due to the effect of anti-nutritional factors at higher levels of potato diets (Ravindran, 1995). Uchegbu et al. (2010) noted lower HDEP when layers were fed 15% cassava root meal combined with brewery dried yeast and jack bean at dietary inclusion rates of 10 and 25%, respectively, as replacement for maize. The higher HDEP at higher level of kocho in the current experiment suggests use of kocho in formulating ration for smallholder poultry as a replacement for maize during its scarcity since kocho production is available throughout the year. Kana et al. (2013) found no effect on egg weight and feed conversion from pullets fed 0%, 33%, 66%, 100% cassava root meal substituted for maize while, Anaeto and Adighibe (2015) found decreased egg weight when birds were fed diet containing cassava root meal beyond 50% as a replacement for maize. On the other hand, Aderemi et al. (2012) found that birds fed diet containing more than 25% cassava meal showed reduced feed conversion which is consistent with the current result. 4.3. Egg Quality Characteristics Egg quality characteristics were not affected by the dietary inclusion levels of kocho, except the yolk color. This implies that kocho could be used in layers ration replacing maize without compromising the egg quality characteristics. The current result is in agreement with Mihret (2012) who observed similar egg quality parameters for birds fed diet containing cassava root meal replacing maize. Similarly, Rezaei (2006) indicated replacing rice bran with corn in layer diet had no effect on egg shell quality and Haugh unit score. The reason for reduction in egg yolk color with increasing level of kocho is presumably associated with the lower beta-carotene (Table 1) content of kocho. Consistent to the current finding, lower yolk color was reported by Kim et al. (2017) for birds fed 30% cassava tuber replacing maize. However, Fafiolu et al. (2006) observed higher yolk color for layers fed malted sorghum as a substitute for maize. Egg yolk color is a very important factor in consumer satisfaction and influences human appetite (Amerine et al., 1995), with a preference for golden yellow to orange yolk color (Hasin et al., 2006). 4.4. Fertility, Hatchability and Chick Quality The similarity of fertility among treatments justifies that kocho can replace maize without affecting fertility. Etalem et al. (2013) reported lack of effect on fertility by the dietary inclusion of cassava root chips as a replacement for maize. Haftu et al. (2014) also reported similar fertility for white leghorn layers fed ration containing up to 30% dietary levels of malted barley replacing maize. Hatchability was reduced when kocho completely replaced maize in the diet. However, Zebib (2012) observed similar effect upon substitution of maize with 0%, 25%, 50%, 75% and 100% sorghum in layers diet. Ajebu et al. (2008) observed most fractions of enset to be rich in iron and manganese, but deficient in copper and zinc. The lower hatchability and higher embryonic mortality at higher level of kocho could be an attribute of insufficient availability of zinc and copper (Kienholz et al., 1961; Caskey et al., 1939). Breeder diets that are deficient in Zn can lead to a decrease in egg production, eggshell quality and hatchability. In breeder hens, Zn is important component of carbonic anhydrase, which is involved in the supply of carbonate ions during eggshell formation, carboxypeptidases and DNA polymerases, which are important in immune responses and hormone production (Nys et al., 1999). Moreover, Cu is closely associated with iron metabolism and plays an important role in eggshell membrane formation, which in turn influences eggshell structure, texture, and shape (Baumgartner et al., 1978). Zinc and Cu play important roles in embryo development as well as hatchability (Kidd, 2003), and a positive relationship has been established between egg Zn content and hatchability (Badawy et al., 1987). Thus, kocho has to be supplemented with Zn and Cu to enhance hatchability and minimize embryonic mortality. Tona et al. (2003) reported positive correlation between eggs and chick weight. Zebib (2012) also reported positive correlation of egg size and chick weight for birds fed with sorghum ration as a substitute for maize. The similarity in chick weight observed in the current result is attributed to the non significant variation in egg weight (Table 4) as a result of replacing kocho for maize. This observation is in agreement with Mihret (2012) who reported similar chick weight for birds fed ration containing 0%, 25%, 50%, 75%, and 100% cassava root meals as a substitute for maize. Similarly, the non significant variation in chick length in the present study could be due to the comparable chick weight. Chicks with better yolk utilization could have developed more body mass during the incubation period, and therefore grew longer (Meijerhof, 2006). 4.5. Economic Evaluation In the current study 34.7, 28.4, 27.0 and 21.0 birr net return was obtained from sale of eggs on 67%, 33%, 100% and control kocho diets, respectively, within 12 weeks of experimental period. The higher net return for T3 (67%) in the current study is due to higher egg production. Therefore, under the condition of the current experiment, kocho can replace maize economically up to 67%. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4377136/#CR107 Nigussu et al. Replacing Maize with Kocho in White leghorn Layers Ration 71 5. Conclusion Egg weight, egg mass and egg quality characteristics except, yolk color, were not affected by dietary levels of kocho replacing maize. Yolk color and hatchability were the lowest when maize was completely substituted with kocho. Hen-day egg production was higher at 67% and 100% dietary level of kocho. Kocho can replace maize economically up to 67%. Therefore, kocho can replace maize in layers ration when there is scarcity of maize in enset growing areas of Ethiopia. However, dietary levels of kocho have to be supplemented with carotene rich ingredients to maintain normal yolk color. 6. 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