Effect of feeding different levels of de-corticoid cottonseed meal on production performance, nutrient balances and economics in laying hens

De-corticoid cottonseed meal (DCSM) is the by-product of oil extraction from cotton seeds and it is widely available as plant protein feed ingredient for livestock. An Investigation has been planned to explore the feeding value of DCSM in the ration of laying hens. A 10 week study was conducted on 150 CARI Sonali layer birds (25 week old). The birds were randomly assigned to six isocaloric and isonitrogenous dietary treatments containing DCSM at 0, 5, 7.5, 10, 12.5 and 15% levels. Each group comprised of 25 birds. The overall results of the present study on percent egg production, egg weight, feed conversion ratio and egg mass did not show any significant (P>0.05) difference among different dietary treatments during 0–10 weeks of feeding period. Feed intake showed significant (P<0.05) decrease as DCSM increases in the diet. Nitrogen, calcium and phosphorous retention did not show any significant (P>0.05) difference among different dietary treatments. Feed cost Rs/kg egg mass and feed cost Rs/dozen egg mass was significantly (P<0.05) decreased as DCSM was increased in diet. The study envisaged that incorporation of DCSM upto15% was found beneficial for economic egg production in laying hens. The soybean meal can be successfully replaced upto 13.25 parts (61% as substitution of SBM) without affecting the production performance and nutrient balances in laying hens.