the effect alfalfa leaf meal on performance, egg quality and blood parameters of laying hen

this experiment was conducted to evaluate the effect of increasing levels of alfalfa leaf meal (alm) on egg production, egg traits and blood parameters of laying hens with 144 hy-line (w36) laying hens from 65-75 weeks of age in 4 treatments, 3 replicates and 12 hens in each replicate in a completely randomized design. experimental groups included: 1) control group, 2) group with 1% of alm, 3) group with 2% of alm, 4) group with 3% of alm. diets with 2% and 3% increased egg production, reduced the amount of feed intake, improved the feed conversion ratio and reduced the egg production cost (p<0.05). also, 2% alm in diet increased the amount of yolk color index, and 1%, 2% and 3% alm increased the eggshell thickness. 3% alm in diet caused the amounts of blood triglyceride and albumin reduce and white blood cells count increased (p<0.05). therefore, addition 2% until 3% alfalfa leaf meal into laying hens diets could improve their performance, blood biochemical parameters, egg quality and reduce egg production cost.