EFFECT OF AQUA BIOTA-P SUPPLEMENTATION ON EGG QUALITY PARAMETERS OF COMMERCIAL LAYER HENS

Abstract

The effect of Aqua Biota-P supplementation on egg quality of commercial layer hens was assessed. A total of 300 Hy-Line Brown layer birds of 33 weeks age were used for the study. Treatment and control groups had 150 hens each that were further divided into three replicates of 50 birds each. Layers in treatment group were fed Aqua Biota-P @ 1g/kg feed for 10 days and 0.4g/kg feed for the next 32 days. The egg variables; egg weight, eggshell thickness, albumen height, shell discoloration, egg production and ammonia gas emission from the urine and feces were assessed. A t-test was used to determine difference between the means of control and treatment groups. Correlation test was performed to find the association between Haugh Unit and albumen height. At the end of 42 days trial period, the findings revealed highly significant (p < .003) differences between groups in all the test parameters as a result of feeding Aqua Biota-P. The most significant finding obtained was in improved Haugh Index indicating better-quality egg with higher protein content. Further, a 6% increase in egg production was observed in treatment group. Also, the bedding material in the treatment group had lesser amount of odour and maintained dryness. Thus, the study concludes that Aqua Biota-P supplementation in commercial layers had positive impact on egg quality parameters and health of the birds.