Impacts of dietary electrolyte balance on egg production, shell quality and some physiological parameters of laying hens reared in hot climate conditions
Abstract: The present study was conducted using a 4 x 2 x 2 factorial de sign to investigate effect of dietary electrolyte balance (DEB) on Gimmizah laying chickens performance under hot climate condition. One hundred and sixty laying hens and eighty cocks of Gmmizah strain at 45 weeks of age were used Hens and cocks were randomly assigned into 16 dietary treatments. Four DEB levels (175, 200, 225 and 250 mEq/kg diet) with two levels of Na (0.16 and 0.18%) and two levels of K (0.80 and 0.90%) were used The DEB levels were adjusted by using NaCl, NaHCO3, KCI, and NH4 CL . Each dietary treatment was represented to 10 hens and 5 cocks which were housed and fed in individual cages. The experiment was terminated at 53 weeks of age during summer season (house temperature ranged between 34º and 40°C and relative humidity ranged between 60 and 80%).
Results indicated that increasing DEB from 175 to 225 mEq/kg diet significantly . increased egg production percentage, egg weight, egg mass, body weight gain and improved feed intake and feed conversion ratio. Moreover, egg shell quality, yolk weight and Haugh units were significantly improved with increasing DEB level. All semen physical properties were significantly improved with increasing DEB level from 175 to 225 meq/kg diet. Likewise, plasma Ca, P, K and Mg levels were significantly increased . whereas CI was significantly decreased as DEB level increased from 175 to 225 mEq/kg diet in both sexes. Red blood cells count, hemoglobin and hematocrit levels were increased, while white blood cells count significantly decreased with increasing DEB level in both sexes Moreover, blood pH value increased with increasing DEB level/o 250 mEq/kg diet in both sexes. Nevertheless, increasing DEB level from 225 to 250 mEq/kg either had no further effect or negatively affected the previous production and physiological parameters. Also, increasing Na level from 0.16 to 0.18% and K level from 0.80 to 0.90%in the diets had no significant impact on most of the previous production parameters. It could be that 225 mEq/kg diet is the optimal DEB level with Na level of 0.16% and K, to maximize performance, egg production, egg shell and interior quality, some of semen physical properties and physiological characteristics of Gimmizah strain under climate conditions.
Publication year 2011
Pages 217-231
Availability location معهد بحوث الانتاج الحيوانى-شارع نادى الصيد- الدقى- الجيزة
Availability number
Organization Name
City الاسكندرية
serial title Egytian Poultry Science
ISSN 1110-5623
Author(s) from ARC
Agris Categories Animal feeding
AGROVOC
TERMS		 Blood ph. Egg production. Feed conversion efficiency. Feed intake. Layer chickens. Potassium. Semen. Sodium.
Proposed Agrovoc dietary electrolyte balance;shell quality;hot climate;egg weight;egg mass;
Publication Type Journal
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