RESPONSE OF LAYING HENS TO GRADED LEVELS OF DIETARY NUTRAFOS 3 IN A HUMID TROPICAL ENVIRONMENT

Abstract

Four groups of 48 laying hens (Gallus domesticus), midway in their laying cycle were fed diets containing graded levels (0.00%, 1.5%, 2.5% and 3.5%) of dietary Nutrafos 3 for 56 days. The completely randomized experimental arrangement was designed to evaluate the responses of the caged layers to the inclusive levels of the additive under humid tropical conditions. The dietary additive produced statistically significant (P< 0.01) improvements in the rate of egg production of the hens. Significant increases (P< 0.01) in feed consumption and improvements in feed efficiency (P < 0.01) were also observed. Haugh unit was significantly (P < 0.05) depressed by dietary Nutrafos 3, especially at the highest level of inclusion. There was no treatment effect on egg size as well as some major anatomical characteristics. The best overall performance was achieved at the 3.5% level of dietary inclusion in contrast to the proprietary recommendation of 2.5%.