Evaluation of jojoba meal as a potential supplement in the diet of broilerbreeder females during laying

1. This study was undertaken to investigate whether jojoba meal can be used as a food supplement during the laying period of chickens. 2. The size of eggs laid were smaller and the overall production rate was l ower compared to control birds on food without jojoba meal supplementation. Furthermore, both ovary and oviduct weights were lower in jojoba fed birds . 3. This lowering of egg size and production rate was caused by factors pres ent in jojoba which interfere with follicle growth, yolk deposition, proges terone production and the follicular maturation processes, resulting in the ovulation of smaller follicles and a lower ovulation rate.