EFFECT OF DIETARY COMPOST LEVELS ON PRODUCTION PERFORMANCE, EGG QUALITY AND IMMUNE RESPONSE OF LAYING HENS
M. T. Khan1, S. Mehmood1,*, A. Mahmud1, K. Javed2, Saima3, J. Hussain1, Y. A. Ditta3, and M. Waqas1
1Department of Poultry Production, 2Department of Livestock Production, 3Department of Animal Nutrition, Faculty of Animal Production and Technology, University of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, Lahoor-54000, Pakistan
*Corresponding author’s email: shahid.mehmood@uvas.edu.pk
ABSTRACT
A study was executed to explore the effect of dietary compost level on performance, egg quality, and immune response of laying hens. A total of 150 laying hens (18-week old) were distributed among 5 dietary groups comprising 5 replicates of 6 birds each, under a completely randomized design (CRD). The experimental diets consisted of increasing levels of compost (0. 2.5, 5, 7.5, and 10%), with each diet being iso-caloric and iso-nitrogenous. The recorded data were analyzed by one-way ANOVA under CRD. Hen performance parameters, including feed consumption, body weight, egg production, egg weight, egg mass, feed efficiency, livability, and uniformity percentage, were not affected (P > 0.05) by the level compost supplement included in the diet. Although, birds fed the diet containing 10% compost exhibited slightly lower egg production and egg weight compared to other treatments, statistically these differences were non-significant (P > 0.05). Similarly, egg quality and immune response in birds fed diets with 10% compost were numerically lowest, but no statistical differences were seen across treatment (P > 0.05). Birds fed diets containing compost 10% showed the lowest (P = 0.0001) feed cost per kg egg mass. These data indicate that compost can be utilized in layer rations at up to 10% with no negative effects on performance, egg quality, and immune response. Furthermore, the utilization of compost in layer rations may reduce feed cost per kg egg mass.
Key words: compost, laying hen, performance, egg quality, immune response.
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