Inclusión de harina de alfalfa (Medicago sativa) en pollos cobb 500 sobre la productividad, pigmentación y rentabilidad

The study aimed to evaluate the inclusion of alfalfa (Medicago sativa) meal in Cobb 500 chickens on productivity, pigmentation, and profitability. A completely randomized experiment was conducted, evaluating 180 chickens distributed in three treatments: T0 (control), T1 (15% alfalfa), and T2 (20% alfalfa), each with six replicates of 10 chickens. Data analysis was first performed with normality tests (Shapiro-Wilk) and homogeneity tests (Levene); subsequently, analysis of variance (ANOVA) or its corresponding nonparametric test (Kruskal-Wallis) was performed, and means were compared using Tukey and Dunn at 5%. In addition, a cost-benefit analysis was carried out to determine the profitability of the evaluated treatments. The results show that alfalfa meal did not influence weight gain, feed conversion, or carcass yield of the chickens. However, significant differences (p < 0.05) were observed in feed intake and beak, leg, and breast pigmentation. Regarding the cost-benefit ratio, all treatments were profitable, although the inclusion of alfalfa meal was less profitable compared to the control treatment, decreasing as the inclusion level increased. It is concluded that the inclusion of alfalfa meal in the diet of Cobb 500 chickens did not improve production parameters and had positive effects on feed intake and beak, leg, and breast pigmentation.

• Main Author: Zambrano Avellán, Jordy Jeanpol (author)
• Other Authors: Zambrano Solórzano, Kevin Leonardo (author)
• Format: bachelorThesis
• Language: spa
• Published: 2025
• Subjects: Producción avícola; Aditivos alimentarios; Nutrición animal; Bienestar animal; Rentabilidad económica
• Online Access: http://repositorio.espam.edu.ec/handle/42000/2761