Abstract
This study was carried out to evaluate the effect of waterleaf (Talinum triangulare (Jacq.) Willd) aqueous extract on the performance of laying hens. This study was arranged in a completely randomized design with five treatments (T1, T2, T3, T4 and T5) with 0, 50, 100, 150 and 200 ml of waterleaf aqueous extract (WAE), respectively in their drinking water. Forty (40) Nera black hens at 24 weeks of age were randomly allocated into five treatments of two replicates with eight hens per treatment. Variables measured were feed intake, hen day production, feed conversion ratio, daily water intake and body weight, Feed conversion ratio of T3 (100 ml WAE) was significantly higher (P<0.05) than the control and other treatments. Hen day egg production, feed intake, and water intake, of Treatment 2 (50 ml WAE) was significantly higher (P<0.05) than other treatments. In conclusion, this study showed that 50 ml and 100 ml WAE increased egg production.
Key words: Talinum triangulare, layers, performance, fortified drinking water.