An evaluation of Water Hyacinth Meal as a feedstuff for pullet chicks

Water hyacinth, Eichhornia crassipes (Martius) Solms-Laubach, is a free floating aquatic weed species with broad leaves; and beautiful, purple or lilac-blue, lily-like lavender flowers.It is considered the world¿s most noxious and devastating aquatic weed because of its prolific growth; causing great damage to agriculture, fisheries, transportation and navigation, as well as to tourism and the environment. Numerous international workshops and symposia have been held to deliberate on its eradication and control, with little success.Perhaps, the solution to the water hyacinth problem lies in developing it from its present menace status into an asset of national and international value; by seeing the plant as an opportunity instead of a problem. In this research work, water hyacinth have been found to be an invaluable feedstuff for pullet chicks, replacing up to 75 % of wheat offal in the diet of pullet chicks.