ISSUE FOCUS 46 FEED & ADDITIVE MAGAZINE January 2026 Taro (Colocasia esculenta), widely known as kalo in Hawai'i, is a tropical plant that offers a viable alternative feed source for poultry. Studies suggest incorporating kalo leaves into chicken diets can enhance nutrient composition, digestibility, and meat quality while reducing feed costs. A study conducted in Ethiopia (Temesgen, Retta & Tesfaye, 2017) found that kalo leaves, rich in proteins, carotene, and trace minerals, can replace up to 7% of soybean meal in chicken feed, improving growth performance and cost efficiency. This alternative feed source is particularly relevant in Hawai'i, where livestock producers face high feed costs and food security concerns. NUTRITIONAL COMPOSITION OF KALO LEAVES Kalo leaves provide essential nutrients beneficial to poultry, including: • Proteins: Crucial for the growth and development of chickens. • Carotene: A precursor to vitamin A, essential for vision, growth, and immune function. • Trace Minerals: Includes iron (Fe), zinc (Zn), and copper (Cu), vital for metabolic processes. • Vitamins: Contains vitamin C, which supports immune function and overall health. • Digestible Fiber: High in soluble fiber, promoting nutrient absorption and digestion. • Ash Content: Indicates a good supply of minerals essential for poultry nutrition. Kalo leaves contain 86.94% water, 16.48% protein, 17.24% fiber, 1.45% potassium, 0.4% phosphorus, 4.3% fat, 30.46% digestible carbohydrates, and provide 3966 kcal/kg of energy (Suwitari N., Suariani L., Yudiastari N. 2022). “Kalo leaves present a promising alternative feed ingredient for poultry, offering high protein content, essential vitamins, and improved digestibility. Studies indicate that incorporating kalo leaf meal at levels of 5% to 7% in broiler diets enhances growth performance, nutrient composition, and cost efficiency.” CHICKENS EATING KALO LEAVES? A FOWL-TASTIC SUPERFOOD Yunuen Bustamante University of Hawai'i at Mānoa, College of Tropical Agriculture and Human Resources Melelani Oshiro University of Hawai'i at Mānoa, College of Tropical Agriculture and Human Resources
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