EFFECTS OF SODIUM BICARBONATE SALT AND TURMERIC POWDER ON INTERNAL EGG QUALITY AND BODY PARAMETER MEASUREMENTS OF ISA BROWN HENS

Abstract

This study was conducted to evaluate the effects of sodium bicarbonate salt and turmeric powder on internal egg quality and body parameter measurements of Isa brown hens. The birds were sourced from CHI Nigeria limited farm and raised under similar management techniques. Isa brown is a hybrid brown egg layer being a cross between Rhode Island Whites and Rhode Island Red. The experiment was conducted at the poultry unit of the Department of Animal Production Abubukar Tafawa Balewa University located in Gubi, Bauchi. A total of one hundred and eighty four (184) Isa Brown hens were used for the research which lasted a period of 16 weeks. The results recovered showed that, supplementation of sodium bicarbonate salt and turmeric powder on the internal egg quality of the hens did not affect albumen height (1.03± 0.2) mm, yolk height (1.73±0.2) mm, yolk index (0.51±0.00), and haugh unit (84.47±0.06) mm of the eggs. However, significant (P<0.01) difference was noticed on Yolk diameter where 0.30g sole supplemented sodium bicarbonate salt and interaction between sodium bicarbonate salts and turmeric powder (0.30g NaHCO3 and 0.70g turmeric) recorded the highest values (3.51±0.08 and 3.48±0.08). Body weight and comb length were not significantly (P >0.05) influenced by supplementation level of sodium bicarbonate salt and turmeric powder. However, shank length was affected (P<0.001) by addition of sodium bicarbonate salt and turmeric powder, it was observed that 0.70g sodium bicarbonate salt inclusion had the longest shank length. It was concluded that supplementation of sodium bicarbonate salt and turmeric powder significantly improved Yolk diameter. This singular improvement will influence the overall quality of the egg and also its ability to produce better quality chicks if used for hatching purposes. Shank length was also improved significantly. Sodium bicarbonate salt and turmeric powder is therefore recommended in Isa brown hens.