Effects of the Substitution of Corn with Sorghum and the Addition of Indigofera Leaf Flour on the Performance of Laying Hens

Sorghum (Sorghum bicolor L. Moench) is an alternative feed ingredient that is often used to replace corn in poultry feed, especially in the tropics. This study aims to evaluate the substitution of corn with sorghum, with the addition of Indigofera leaf flour, on the performance of laying hens. A completely randomized study design was used in this research with four treatments: A. 26% commercial concentrate + 40% corn + 0% sorghum + 0% Indigofera; B. 23% commercial concentrate + 20% corn + 20% sorghum + 4% Indigofera; C. 22% commercial concentrate + 10% corn + 30% sorghum + 5% Indigofera; and D. 21% commercial concentrate + 0% corn + 40% sorghum + 6% Indigofera. Each treatment was repeated fivetimes. All the bird received Waretha probiotic in drinking water at a dose of 43x1012 CFU/mL. Feed consumption, egg mass, feed conversion, hen-day production, and egg weight were measured. The results showed that the substitution of corn with sorghum with the addition of Indigofera leaf flour did not produce significant differences (P>0.05) in feed consumption, egg period, feed conversion, hen-day production, and egg weight. In conclusion, the substitution of corn with 40% sorghum with the addition of 6% Indigofera leaf flour and the provision of Waretha probiotics in each treatment with doses as high as 43x1012 CFU/mL did not interfere with the performance of laying hens.