Djeuta, O.NguedaVoemesse, K.Teteh, A.2023-04-232023-04-232020-03-15https://scialert.net/abstract/?doi=ijps.2020.142.1461682-8356DOI: 10.3923/ijps.2020.142.146http://hdl.handle.net/123456789/1551International Journal of Poultry ScienceBackground and Objective: The scarcity and seasonal fluctuation of conventional feedstuff srequire alternative sources in order to ensure optimum performance of poultry birds. This study investigated the effect of Manihot esculenta leaf meal (MELM) on blood parameters and productive performance of laying hens from 50-62 weeks of age. Materials and Methods: A total of two hundred Is a Brown layers of 50 weeks of age were assigned to 4 dietary treatments with 5 replicates of 10 birds each. Treatment diets were: 0% MELM (ME0), 2.5% MELM (ME2.5), 5% MELM (ME5%) and 7.5% MELM (ME7.5). During the experimental period, feed intake, egg production, feed conversion ratio as well as egg quality parameters were recorded weekly. The blood samples were collected from 16 birds (4/replicate) at 61th weeks of age for the determination of total protein, albumin and uric acid. Results: Results showed that feed intake (FI) and egg production were higher (p<0.05) in the birds of ME5 and ME7.5 than those of the other treatment. The birds in ME5 and ME7.5 also had the lowest (p<0.05) feed conversion ratio (FCR). Total proteins and albumin were significantly higher (p<0.05) in birds fed 5 and 7.5 % of MELM while layers in ME 7.5 group had the highest (p<0.05) uric acid concentration. Most external and internal egg quality parameters were not significantly affected except for yolk color score which was improved with increased levels of MELM. Conclusion: In conclusion, Manihot esculenta leaf meal (MELM) can be used up to 7.5% as feed ingredients in laying hens to improve performance.enManlhot esculenta meallaying hensproduction performanceegg qualitypoultry meatM. GbeassorE. DecuypereK. TonaUniversité de Lomé-TogoCERSAArticle