Effect of lactose, yeast and organic acids mixture supplementation on laying performance of Japanese quails (Coturnix coturnix japonica)
| Main Authors: | Mohamed S. Yusuf, Manal M. A. Mahmoud, Hayam M. Samy, Mohamed T. Ibrahim |
|---|---|
| Format: | Article |
| Terbitan: |
, 2015
|
| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: |
https://zenodo.org/record/27222 |
Daftar Isi:
- This study was performed on 180 one week old Japanese quail chicks. They were divided into six groups. Treatments were as follows: G1 (control), G2 (1g lactose/ kg ), G3 (3g yeast/ kg), G4 (1g lactose + 3g yeast/ kg), G5 (2g benzoic acid + 5g citric acid / kg) and G6 (1g lactose + 2g benzoic acid +5g citric acid / kg). When the birds reached 42 days of age, all birds were sexed and transferred to layer cages the birds were divided into 6 groups each of 24 birds, which were subdivided into 3 replicates [2 males to 6 females in a 1:3 sex ratio] for 12 weeks reproductive and laying trial. They were fed all dry mash layer diets. The feed additives were continued in the same manner as in growth period. For each replicate, egg number, egg weight and egg mass as well as weekly feed intake, egg production and FCR were recorded. The eggs were collected twice daily from each group, stored at 18oC for 6 days incubated in standard automatic incubator for 17 days to follow the effect of used feed additives on fertility, hatchability and chick quality. At the last three days of each egg collection period, eggs were collected from each replicate to evaluate egg quality traits [shell weight (wt.) and %, shell thickness, shape index, egg yolk wt. and % and albumin wt. and %]. Onset of egg laying and sexual maturity came earlier than the control in all treated groups. Mean egg production recorded higher values in G6, G5 and G2 respectively. Mean FCR was improved numerically in all treated groups when compared with the control. Mean values of egg weight and egg mass were numerically higher in all treated groups than the control. Shell quality parameters were not affected with any treatment compared with the control. While shape index was improved significantly in G2, G4 and G5, with numerical improve in G3 and G6. Mean values of egg albumin and egg yolk weight were improved in all treated groups. Mean values of egg yolk cholesterol were decreased significantly in G5 and G6 while it numerically decreased in other groups compared with the control. Higher fertility was recorded in G2, G5 and G6 respectively. Hatchability% of incubated and fertile eggs was higher than the control especially in G2 and G6. The hatched chick quality was higher than the control in G6, G5 and G2 respectively. Furthermore, all treatments improved hatched chick length when compared to the control.