Article Abstract

Volume 29, No. (2), 2019 (April)
EFFECT OF DIETARY COMPOST LEVELS ON PRODUCTION PERFORMANCE, EGG QUALITY AND IMMUNE RESPONSE OF LAYING HENS
M. T. Khan , S. Mehmood , A. Mahmud , K. Javed , Saima , J. Hussain , Y. A. Ditta , M. Waqas

M. T. Khan, S. Mehmood, A. Mahmud, K. Javed, Saima, J. Hussain, Y. A. Ditta, M. Waqas 
1 Department of Poultry Production, Department of Livestock Production, Department of Animal Nutrition, Faculty of
2 Animal Production and Technology, University of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, Lahoor-54000, Pakistan

Corresponding Author: ilshahid.mehmood@uvas.edu.pk
DOI: NA
Page Number(s): 402-411
Published Online First: April 01, 2019
Publication Date: April 01, 2019
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.

Keywords: compost, laying hen, performance, egg quality, immune response
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JCR Year: 2025

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Print ISSN: 1018-7081

Electronic ISSN: 2309-8694

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