CARROT LEAVES AS A LAYING CHICKEN FEED

Did you know that carrot leaf production is 45-55% of the total carrot plant. When harvesting carrots, the tubers and leaves obtained are the same, which is 50-50. According to data from the Central Statistics Agency, Jakarta (2007), carrot production in Indonesia reached 350,170 tons and leaf waste produced very much and can be a competitive alternative animal feed.

Based on the results of proximate analysis, carrot leaves contain crude protein 19.35%; crude fiber 16.08%; crude fat 4.27%; and metabolic energy of 1890 kcal / kg. The carotene content is high, which is around 22375 μg / 100 g. The carotenoid content is very high and much higher than tomatoes. Β-carotene compound as an active ingredient in carcass and egg yolk color. It would be very interesting if the carrot leaf is used as water extract or carrot leaf flour, so that it can be a compotitive alternative feed material.

The process of making Carrot leaf flour: Take Carrot leaves from the remaining crop of Carrot plants, thinly broken down or without broken down, and dried in the sun for 1-2 days. After dry, then ground or ground. Carrot leaf flour can be mixed into laying hens as a supplement (not more than 5%). Because, to get 1 kg of Carrot leaf flour, it takes about 9-10 kg of fresh Carrot leaves.

The process of making carrot leaf water extract: Provide fresh Carrot leaves or Carrot leaf flour as much as 1 kg, then crushed or knead in 1 liter of water (1:1; v/v). Then allowed to stand for 24 hours at room temperature (cold maceration). Then filtered and extracted carrot leaf water can be given to laying hens through drinking water as much as 5 cc in 100 cc of drinking water provided.