Effect of some feed additives on performance of local layer strains. 2-evaluation of vitamin A or hot pepper on egg production and egg quality of laying hens during cold weather

Abstract: The objective of this study was conducted to evaluate the effect of hot pepper or vitamin A on performance and egg quality of laying hens. Hens were fed the experimental diets from 44 to 56 wks of age. The birds were fed a basal diet contains 16 % CP and 2700 Kcal/Kg feed or the basal diet supplemented with either 5000 or 10000 IU of vitamin A/kg of diet or 1.5 or 3 gm of hot pepper /kg of diet results obtained can be summarized as following.
1- Birds fed diet supplemented either vitamin A or hot pepper significantly (P<0.05) significantly (P<0.05) increased egg production % of laying hens compared with Control group of birds.
2- Birds fed diet supplemented with either vitamin A at level of 10000 IU or hot pepper at level of 3 gm / Kg of feed significantly (P<0.05) increased feed intake and improve feed conversion of laying hens compared with other groups of birds.
3- Adding either both levels of vitamin A or hot pepper to basal diets significantly (P<0.05) increased shell percentage egg surface area and egg shape index while they did not effect on Specific gravity compared with control birds.
4- Birds fed diets supplemented with 3 g hot pepper /Kg feed recorded significantly (P<0.05) more improved values of Haugh units. Yolk %.
Yolk color and albumin index compared with other groups of birds fed basal diets or diets supplemented with vitamin A In conclusion, dietary Supplementation of laying hens with vitamin A or hot pepper has positive effects and they can be used to enrich eggs.

Publication year

2008

Pages

370-385

Availability location

معهد بحوث الانتاج الحيوانى- شار ع نادى الصيد- الدقى - الجيزة

Availability number

Organization Name

Animal Production Research Institute (APRI)

serial title

Egyptian Journal of Applied Science

ISSN