Berhan, Berhan (Professor)Alebachew, Wubalem2018-07-022023-11-082018-07-022023-11-082016-06http://etd.aau.edu.et/handle/123456789/5189A study was conducted to evaluate effects of Moringa oleifera leaf meal (MOLM) inclusion in layer rations on egg laying performance, egg quality parameters and egg shelf life. In addition, the study also evaluated the effect of MOLM on fertility, hatchability, embryonic mortality, chick quality and the economic benefits of feeding of MOLM to dual purpose Koekoek hens. Ninety six dual purpose Koekoek hens, aging 41 weeks, and 12 cocks were used and equally divided into four dietary treatments with three replications. Treatment rations contained MOLM [i.e., T1 (0% MOLM), T2 (5% MOLM), T3 (10% MOLM), and T4 (15% MOLM)]. In this study, MOLM was used to substitute for soybean meal (SBM). Hens were weighed at the start and end of the experiment and body weight (BW) change was calculated. Data on feed intake, hen-day egg production, hen- housed egg production and egg weight were recorded. Egg quality parameters were determined at an interval of 15 days on four eggs per replicate for twice. Fertility and hatchability of eggs, chick quality as well as mortality of birds and embryonic mortality of fertile eggs during the incubation period were recorded. The shelf life of eggs was determined by considering albumen and yolk measurements as well as Haugh unit at an interval of 7 days on four eggs per replicate stored for 7, 14, 21 and 28 days. In addition, albumen and yolk pH of eggs stored at 7, 14, 21 and 28 days was determined to evaluate shelf life of eggs. All the above mentioned parameters were improved by the experimental diet except mortality rate and late embryonic mortality especially in T2. Body weight change was 0.32kg in T1, 0.43kg in T2, 0.48kg in T3 and 0.37kg in T4. Feed conversion ratio was 1.73 in T1, 2.10 in T2, 1.52 in T3 and 1.59 in T4. Average egg weight was 48.66g in T1, 54.51g in T2, 49.94g in T3 and 50.31g in T4. Percentage of hen day egg production was 50.69% in T1, 64.60% in T2, 45.23% in T3 and 47.65% in T4. Fertility percentage was 80.00% in T1, 93.33% in T2, 91.11% in T3 and 84.44% in T4. Hatchability percentage was 66.66% in T1, 78.57% in T2, 68.22% in T3 and 70.33% in T4. Higher feed intake and body weight change were recorded for T3 (10% MOLM) while higher yolk color was observed for T3 and T4 (15% MOLM). Generally, substistution of SBM by MOLM at 5% inclusion level showed better result even yhough price of MOLM is higher than SBM. As aresult, Moringa tree production level of should be increase and vii needs further researches that can give evidence about the nutritional value of Moringa oleifera leaf meal. Keywords: Body weight change, feed intake, egg production, egg quality, egg shelf life, fertility, hatchabilityenBody weight changefeed intakeegg productionegg qualityegg shelf lifefertilityhatchabilityThesis