Effect of Turf Bermudagrass Meal on Egg Production, Feed Utilization, Yolk Color, and Egg Weight

The effect of diets containing various levels of dehydrated turf bermudagrass (Cynodon spp.) on egg production, feed utilization, yolk color, and egg weight was studied. Milo-soybean meal diets were formulated into four treatments containing 0, 3, 6, and 9% dried turf bermudagrass. Each treatment was fed to 15 laying hens with 4 replications for a total of 240 birds. Yolk color was measured weekly with a 1984 Roche color fan. After 4 wk, average Roche color scores were 1.3, 4.9, 7.0, and 8.7 for Treatments 1 to 4, respectively. The maximum egg production and minimum feed consumption were observed in diets containing 3% turf bermudagrass meal. There was no significant difference between egg weights of birds in control and grass-fed treatments.