Influence of the incorporation of cashew meal (Anacardium occidental) in feed on the laying performance of hens (ISA Brown) in Côte d'Ivoire

In Côte d'Ivoire, the increase in the price of protein raw materials makes poultry production too costly. This study was carried out to develop new sources of vegetable protein (cashew cake) for feeding laying hens during the laying period. For this, 180 19-week-old ISA Brown hens were used. They were housed in 4 boxes, 45 each. These constituted batches were fed T0 (control), T1 (100% cashew meal as main vegetable protein source), T2 (50% cashew meal) and T3 (95 % cashew meal). Bromatological analysis of the feeds revealed an excellent nutrient content. Feed intake, average number of eggs laid, average cumulative egg weight, feed conversion ratio, and egg laying rate were significantly (p<5%) influenced by the formulation. Cashew meal-based feeds improved egg-laying parameters but not significantly. The food supply for chickens was 93.16 ± 11.35 g / d /chicken (T0), 68.38 ± 13.67 g / d / chicken (T1), 85.67 ± 11.23 g / d / chicken (T2) et 65.88 ± 10.38 g / d / chicken. The number of eggs laid was 29.13 ± 8.77 eggs / d (T0), 11.89 ± 7.03 eggs / d (T1), 24.80 ± 7.85 eggs / d (T2) and 13.51 ± 7.57 eggs / d (T3). The average cumulative egg weight was 1645.86 ± 538.63 g / d (T0), 688.36 ± 445.41 g / d (T1), 1356.83 ± 449.62 g / d (T2) and 776.63 ± 467.51 g / d (T3). The consumption index was 3.84 ± 5.53 (T0), 7.26 ± 11.31 (T1), 4.16 ± 6.19 (T2) and 5.13 ± 8.48 (T3). Laying rate was 64.73 ± 19.51% (T0), 26.42 ± 15.64 % (T1), 55.12 ± 12.46% (T2) and 30.03 ± 16.82% (T3). The incorporation of cashew meal in the feed of laying hens as the main source of protein should allow for a variety of protein raw materials to correct any difficulties encountered by some table egg producers in Côte d’Ivoire.