Effect of supplementing different Hydroponic Fodder for dual purpose chicken on Feed Intake, Egg yield and Egg Quality Traits

The rising cost of conventional poultry feed, which accounts for up to 70% of production expenses, poses a critical challenge to the sustainability of poultry enterprises in Ethiopia, especially in urban and peri-urban settings. This study was carried out to evaluate the effects of supplementing dual purpose chickens diets with 5% hydroponic fodders barley (HB), wheat (HW), and maize (HM) on feed intake, egg production, egg quality, and economic performance in dual-purpose Sasso chickens. A total of 180 adult hens were randomly assigned to four dietary treatments: T1 (commercial feed + 5% HB), T2 (commercial feed + 5% HW), T3 (commercial feed + 5% HM), and T4 (control: commercial feed only), with three replications of 15 birds each. Hydroponic fodders were grown in controlled conditions and harvested on eighth day of post-sowing. Results showed significant differences (p < 0.05) in egg weight, feed conversion ratio (FCR), and several internal egg quality traits (albumin height, albumin weight, yolk weight, shell thickness, and yolk color) among treatments. Chickens fed T1 exhibited superior egg production (74.25%), egg weight (58.5g), and FCR (2.35), along with the highest internal egg quality scores. Economically, T1 also provided the greatest net income (7680 ETB) and marginal rate of return (1968.6%), making it the most profitable option. The improved nutritional profile of hydroponic barley, particularly its high protein and mineral content, contributed to enhanced performance outcomes. In conclusion, integrating 5% hydroponic barley into poultry diets offers a cost-effective and sustainable feeding strategy that enhances both productivity and profitability. This approach is particularly suitable for small- to medium-scale poultry farms in land-constrained urban and peri-urban areas. Further research is recommended to optimize inclusion levels and assess long-term impacts across diverse production systems